I bought this great book from Little Linguist in the summer of 2021 (you may have noticed that I did order quite a few then!) – click here to get your own copy.
I was looking for a book that I could use with little ones (2-5 year olds) when I had them for a storytelling session of 30 minutes or more – for a story that would get them moving. I came across this book, ordered it and I am very glad that I did! Read more below.
Language of text: French
Type of text: picture book
Author or source: Rebecca Whitford & Martina Selway @ Gallimard Jeunesse
Intended age of students: Key Stage 1/2
Source reference: 9782070522224
This is a book that introduces some basic yoga postures to children and has them linked to animals, which children will be able to relate to.
The real names of the yoga poses are listed at the end.
You can quite simply use this book, without any preparation, to get the children to look at the pictures and copy the child in the story (and you!) : they will join in with the yoga poses and thoroughly enjoy it! This can be done as a one-off, or regularly to give your class a break, as part of their routine, or their PE lessons.
The 1st time I used it, I was worried about not having enough space on the carpet for all the children to join in. I can reassure you that the activity requires less space than it looks.
Rationale:
I love this book because I can use it with little ones to get them moving and get their attention back on track, but I can also use it to teach/revisit some names of animals in French.
Moreover, with older pupils (from age 9 onwards), I can use it it to look at -er verbs… even other verbs and reflexive ones! It can really be exploited on different levels and be used with children from age 2-11.
As an added bonus, you can even practise the onomatopoeia in it: say them and use them to introduce/revisit certain sounds in French!
Outcomes:
Once the children are familiar with the postures and the animals in French, you may want to show them the last page and teach them the real yoga poses’ names. The cat’s and the lion’s are the same, but the others aren’t quite.
Through this book, the children do yoga and learn French both at the same time!
Topics or themes:
animals; PE; physical activities; well being; relaxation
Grammar:
comparisons (comme un/une); masculine and feminine nouns; -er verbs; reflexive verbs
How much time required:
originally half 1 lesson; can be used over and over again