In an article about children's struggles with multiplication tables, "The Guardian" once pointed out that the hardest numbers for kids to multiply are 6 x 8; they get that wrong 63% of the time! Here’s a little 6 times tables exercise camouflaged as an entertaining, self-correcting card game. Happy 6 times tables mastery. The card decks for the Times Tables from 2 through 12 are available here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/taming-the-times-tables-without-tears-get-the-picture-multiplication-game-11309583

This printable is a self-correcting activity for beginners who are studying the present tense ER verb endings. Note: After putting together, “New work for good old Mini Veritech: Le présent des verbes ER”, I decided to incorporate the same sentences into this GTP puzzle for those who don’t own Mini-Veritech sets.

In this virtual race, players have to reconstitute and recopy words that have been broken down into syllables and scattered over the game grid. Students may play individually or in pairs. The words in this puzzle are: 1 horreur (f.) 2 chaudron (m.) 3 grimoire (m.) 4 squelette (m.) 5 fantôme (m.) 6 hanté 7 sorcier (m.) 8 zombie (m.) 9 citrouille (f.) 10 cercueil (m.) 11 balai (m.) 12 souris (f.) L’intrus: peur

These magic message riddles will serve as instant Christmas cards for your students if you print them on card stock. The riddles resemble QR codes until you raise them to eye level and read the “magical messages” from bottom - indicated by a red number - to top. There are four cards to the page. Decades ago, these things took me forever and a day to draw by hand. But then I could legitimately challenge my students to draw a message of their own. Nowadays, I use the computer so they just take forever. However, I’ve lost the moral authority to launch my drawing challenge. But the “wow” moment when a student actually sees the message still makes it worthwhile.

These message cards are just little ice-breakers. They look a bit like QR codes until you raise them to eye level and read the “magical messages” from bottom (indicated by a number) to top.  Decades ago, these things took me forever and a day to draw by hand. But then I could legitimately challenge my students to draw a message of their own. Nowadays, I use the computer so they just take forever. However, I’ve lost the moral authority to launch my drawing challenge. But the “wow” moment when a student actually sees the message still makes it worthwhile. If you print your magical messages on card stock you can also use them as little reward records. Once my students accumulate ten stickers or stamps on the back of their magic message card, they redeem the card for a small treat or a bonus point on a future test.

These message cards are just little ice-breakers. They look a bit like QR codes until you raise them to eye level and read the “magical messages” from bottom (indicated by a number) to top.  Decades ago, these things took me forever and a day to draw by hand. But then I could legitimately challenge my students to draw a message of their own. Nowadays, I use the computer so they just take forever. However, I’ve lost the moral authority to launch my drawing challenge. But the “wow” moment when a student actually sees the message still makes it worthwhile. If you print your magical messages on card stock you can also use them as little reward records. Once my students accumulate ten stickers or stamps on the back of their magic message card, they redeem the card for a small treat or a bonus point on a future test.

Engage your pupils in reading (and writing) through play by printing and cutting out these puzzles for them to solve. There are separate files for puzzles in upper and lower case letters. I'm working on puzzle sets on other themes and would appreciate your feedback.

Imprimez et découpez ces puzzles pour que vos élèves puissent les reconstruire. Par l’effet d’osmose, les enfants apprendront à lire et écrire le mot illustré tout en jouant. Engage your pupils with reading (and writing) through play by  printing and cutting out these puzzles for them to solve. Le premier dossier comprend les puzzles en lettres minuscules;  le deuxième comprend les puzzles en lettres majuscules . le poivron le broccoli les pois le maïs la carotte le céleri la tomate (Même si, en effet, la tomate est un fruit!)

Engage your pupils in reading (and writing) through play by  printing and cutting out these simple puzzles for them to solve. There are separate files for puzzles in upper and lower case letters. pepper broccoli peas corn carrot celery tomato (even though it’s actually a fruit)

These message cards look a bit like QR codes until you raise them to eye level and read the “magical messages” from bottom - indicated by a number - to top.  Decades ago, these things took me forever and a day to draw by hand. But then I could legitimately challenge my students to draw a message of their own. Nowadays I use the computer so they just take forever. However, I’ve lost the moral authority to launch the drawing challenge. But the “wow” moment when a student actually sees the message still makes it worthwhile. P.S. Print the messages on card stock if you’d like to use them as little reward records. Once my students accumulate ten stickers or stamps, they redeem the card for a small treat or a bonus point on a future test.

These message cards look a bit like QR codes until you raise them to eye level and read the “magical messages” from bottom (indicated by a number) to top.  Decades ago, these things took me forever and a day to draw by hand. But then I could legitimately challenge my students to draw a message of their own. Nowadays I use the computer so they just take forever. However, I’ve lost the moral authority to launch my drawing challenge. But the “wow” moment when a student actually sees the message still makes it worthwhile. P.S. If you print your magical messages on card stock you can also use them as little reward records. Once my students accumulate ten stickers or stamps, they redeem the card for a small treat or a bonus point on a future test.

Imprimez et découpez ces puzzles pour que vos élèves puissent les reconstruire. Par l’effet d’osmose, les enfants apprendront à lire et écrire le mot illustré tout en jouant. Engage your pupils with reading (and writing) through play by  printing and cutting out these puzzles for them to solve. Le premier dossier comprend les puzzles en lettres minuscules;  le deuxième comprend les puzzles en lettres majuscules.

Engage your pupils in reading (and writing) through play by printing and cutting out these simple puzzles for them to solve. There are separate files for puzzles in upper and lower case letters.

Another five minute filler for teachers. Embedded in this puzzle are ten words associated with Autumn and 100 other general vocabulary words. Full instructions, templates in colour and in black and white, a thematic vocabulary and an answer key are included. If you were one of the first 8 people to download this puzzle, you'll notice that the answer key was for another puzzle. Mea culpa. The correct key is included now.

I've updated this PDF and have incorporated the how to play guide. A few years ago, I had to cover a Family Studies’ class. The students had been studying healthy relationships and my job was to run a Values’ Auction. The kids were so taken by the activity that I took home a copy to rework for a unit on Les amis et la vie sociale. I hope your students enjoy it as much as mine do.

Here's a simple gap fill sheet to accompany La Chanson des Squelettes. It's a joyful way to reinforce French Halloween vocabulary. I've corrected my cut-and-paste error in this updated file.

This is the Dutch version of Drôle d'exercice. Again, it is a stand-alone puzzle activity that might be just the ticket for an entertaining end-of-the-year lesson. My students genuinely enjoy this activity and I hope yours will, too. If it prompts you to create one or two of your own, please let me know. This set is intended for more advanced students of Dutch.

After the Paris attacks, this video interview with a frightened little boy went viral. The child articulated everyone’s fear and confusion but his gentle and wise father managed to find just the right words to comfort his son . . . and the rest of us. One sane, calm voice for peace on earth in a dark time. This file includes a link to the French-only clip, a full transcript and the French FB page with reactions to the interview from around the world and a message from Angel Le, the child’s father.

If your students are fans of the original, try this version sung in French by Sara'h. The video is also captioned in French. (I've attached a gap-fill worksheet and corrected a few grammar errors found in the subtitles.) Again, the age range will be determined by whether your programme is for French as a first language, Immersion, Extended or Core French students. If your students enjoy it, I'd love your feedback.

A five minute filler for French teachers. If your classes enjoy my Christmas puzzles, please let me know and I'll post some of my others . . . les verbes ER, la Saint-Valentin, au bord de l'eau, au cinéma, etcetera.