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I am not sure where I got this book from but what I know is that I have used it a lot already and will use it again, so it has been worth acquiring!

You can check it out first with this short video.

Language of text: French
Type of text: picture book
Author or source: Mes toutes premières découvertes, Gallimard Jeunesse
Intended age of students: Key Stage 2/3
Source reference: 9782070539130

I have read this book to Y5 and Y6 pupils before, at first without showing the pictures, and got them to listen for clues then make a note of what sort of weather is discussed on each double page. There will always be at least one typical word about the weather that they will recognise and can be accentuated when it is read out loud. On second reading I showed them the pictures and gave them a chance to amend their answers and write down in French the key words which they thought they had heard. On third reading we went through each page and checked their understanding. We made a note of the new phrases which enabled us to expand our vocabulary about the weather. On 4th reading the children realised how much more they could understand.

Rationale:
This is not a story, it is more of an non-fiction book but it is perfect to reinforce or revisit the weather in French in context.
It contains standard phrases to describe the weather but also more advanced ones: for instance it says “il pleut” but also uses the words “pluie” and “averse” in sentences.

Outcomes:
The children enjoy being detectives and listening out for words which they already know. They also like listening to the telling once the key words have been extracted and explored, and realising how much they can understand and know. It is great for their confidence, also because it is an authentic book used with French children.
The pupils could afterwards write a minibook about the weather in different places at different times, incorporating old and new vocabulary and phrases.

Topics or themes:
weather

Grammar:
verbs in the present tense, adjectives

How much time required:
1 lesson

You can buy it here on Amazon.co.uk.

What is YOUR favourite story about the weather?