French immersion and core French students and staff from Sacred Heart School/École Sacré Coeur celebrated French Second Language Week from Feb. 1-5.
This province-wide occasion is created by Canadian Parents for French, a national organization dedicated to the promotion and creation of French as a second language learning opportunities for young Canadians.
This year’s theme at Sacred Heart/Sacré Coeur was Les Voyageurs. Students learned about voyageurs, the fur trade and the Festival du Voyageur winter festival in Winnipeg.
Various activities were offered during the week.
Lights off at lunch and no microwave usage. During the fur trade, les voyageurs had no electricity and often ate cold food. Students found a way to emulate this experience.
Find the Voyageur: Jean Batitste le voyageur (a wooden spoon puppet) was hiding in the school. Students were asked to find him and snap a picture with him.
Beard growing: During the Festival du Voyageur winter festival in Winnipeg, the beard growing contest attracts lots of attention. Students were invited to come to school with homemade bearded facemasks.
Fort Gibraltar: Staff and students experienced a 360 virtual tour of Fort Gibraltar.
Journee de tuque: Wear “la tuque rouge,” just like a voyageur.
The Fransaskois flag was displayed under the Canada flag.
French music was played at the first bell in the morning and at the last bell of the day. O Canada was sung in French all week by various staff and student guest singers.
Classrooms met through virtual Google Meets and played French games together.
Snowshoes were available for those who wanted to get some outdoor activity. Students were also able to try the wooden spoons, a common musical activity back in the time of the voyageurs and the fur trade.
The French Language Monitor played an integral part in organizing and assisting in all events.
