8th-Grade French Students Work With 1st-GradersHanoukka et Nol? Une mre…

January 3, 2013

8th-Grade French Students Work With 1st-Graders
Hanoukka et Nol? Une mre et un grand-pre? Un triangle vert? All of these words, phrases, and more, were taught to Miss Heather Treer’s first-grade class when Madame Neimeier’s eighth-grade French class taught four rotating holiday mini-lessons.
At the first station, students learned about holiday traditions in France and other francophone countries and how they are similar and different to our own. Another group learned shapes and colors and then got to decorate sugar cookie cutouts in geometric shapes that they decorated with colored icing identifying them in French, of course.
Another group learned about all of the Christmas and Hanukkah vocabulary words in French and English that look alike (cognates) and then played Bingo with their new knowledge. The fourth group got to learn the names of different family members on a giant family tree, and then how to sing the French version of “Jingle Bells” to impress their families during the holiday season.
At the conclusion of the lessons, all students came together and sang the song they had been practicing. It was a treat to have first-graders and middle school students working together to increase their knowledge of French words and culture.
Key Club Spreads Holiday Cheer
The Chagrin Falls Key Club sponsored five families for the holidays. The families were identified through the Geauga County Job and Family Services.
Last year, 630 families received help through the Sponsor-A-Family program. This included over 1,322 children who received toys, food and gifts. Sponsor-A-Family is a unique program supported solely through donations and would not be possible with the generosity of community members.
The Chagrin Falls community purchased gifts for a total of 16 individuals, including 11 children. The Chagrin Falls student body, staff and community members donated approximately 150 gifts for the deserving families.
Over the past few weeks, Key Club members have spent their time organizing and wrapping gifts for the families. Presents were delivered in late December in time for preparation for the holiday.
The Chagrin Falls Key Club is thankful for everyone’s generosity and without a student body and community willing to be so helpful, it would be unable to participate in this program.
CFIS Holiday Concert
The sixth-grade orchestra and select choir along with the fifth-grade orchestra performed Christmas and Hanukkah music at their recent holiday concert. In addition, they performed a rousing rendition of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” from the 9th Symphony. After a Christmas round and the “Hanukkah Song,” performed by the sixth-grade orchestra, the select choir performed a variety of holiday selections, ending with their signature rendition of the “Carol of the Bells.”
Freshman Class Clothing Drive
The Chagrin Falls freshman class community service project this year is a clothing drive, benefitting the Goodwill organization and people in need. The service project will take place Jan. 7-14 while classes are in session.
The freshman class is asking the community to bring gently used clothing and donate to those that are less fortunate. Some items that are needed include shirts, shorts, socks, pants, sweatshirts and coats.
The collection bins will be located in the Chagrin Falls High School lobby. Please bring in donations to help a great cause.