Why learn a language through baking?
When students have something to do or make while acquiring the language, they acquire more language! As our favorite philosopher, John Dewey, said, “Give the pupils something to do, not something to learn; and the doing is of such a nature as to demand thinking; learning naturally results.”
Stephen Krashan, one of the great researchers on second language learning and acquisition has proved that the best way for students to learn a second language is the way they learned their first language: When the language is being used to transmit messages that are interesting to the students (BAKING!) not through explicit instruction of the language (grammar exercises, memorizing lists of words, which do have a role to play but it is not the only role in second language acquisition). Thus, students acquire more language by doing the language through things they enjoy! Learning language through compelling stories, games, play and hands-on activities are all ways to gain more language.
When students have something to do or make while acquiring the language, they acquire more language! As our favorite philosopher, John Dewey, said, “Give the pupils something to do, not something to learn; and the doing is of such a nature as to demand thinking; learning naturally results.”
Stephen Krashan, one of the great researchers on second language learning and acquisition has proved that the best way for students to learn a second language is the way they learned their first language: When the language is being used to transmit messages that are interesting to the students (BAKING!) not through explicit instruction of the language (grammar exercises, memorizing lists of words, which do have a role to play but it is not the only role in second language acquisition). Thus, students acquire more language by doing the language through things they enjoy! Learning language through compelling stories, games, play and hands-on activities are all ways to gain more language.
What is Summer Baking Camp for incoming 1st-5th graders?
The summer baking camp is a week-long camp where we learn the French language and francophone cultures through food and baking. Everyday we bake a different well-known pâtisserie (pastry) and learn about the pastry's history, ingredients and region of France or francophone country it came from. As well as learning French through baking, we will also learn the language through games, art and stories. Bakers are in small rotation groups throughout the day, so that they have ample space and attention in the kitchen. Other rotations include art, stories and outdoor play. At the end of each day, we enjoy eating what we made, learning ways to talk about food in French. At the end of the week, bakers invite friends & families for une dégustation (a tasting) of our pastries from the week. Bakers are given a bilingual cook book that they can take home so they can make the pastry at home afterwards! Bakers will bring their lunches to we will eat at noon and enjoy our pastries we made at 12:30.
The summer baking camp is a week-long camp where we learn the French language and francophone cultures through food and baking. Everyday we bake a different well-known pâtisserie (pastry) and learn about the pastry's history, ingredients and region of France or francophone country it came from. As well as learning French through baking, we will also learn the language through games, art and stories. Bakers are in small rotation groups throughout the day, so that they have ample space and attention in the kitchen. Other rotations include art, stories and outdoor play. At the end of each day, we enjoy eating what we made, learning ways to talk about food in French. At the end of the week, bakers invite friends & families for une dégustation (a tasting) of our pastries from the week. Bakers are given a bilingual cook book that they can take home so they can make the pastry at home afterwards! Bakers will bring their lunches to we will eat at noon and enjoy our pastries we made at 12:30.
What is Summer Baking Camp for incoming 6th-9th graders?
The summer baking camp is a week-long camp where we learn the French language and francophone cultures through food and baking. Everyday we bake a different well-known pâtisserie (pastry) and learn about the pastry's history, ingredients and region of France or francophone country it came from. At the end of each day, we enjoy eating what we made, learning ways to talk about food in French. By the end of the week, bakers will be able to say in French the most common ingredients in pastries, the most common pastries in French and the history of French pastries. In addition, they will know the most common verbs used in the kitchen, and while eating and drinking. FYI: The food unit is modeled after the Virginia Commonwealth's Program of Study for French as well as Mme's tried and true experiences during her 2o+ years of teaching French through baking.
The summer baking camp is a week-long camp where we learn the French language and francophone cultures through food and baking. Everyday we bake a different well-known pâtisserie (pastry) and learn about the pastry's history, ingredients and region of France or francophone country it came from. At the end of each day, we enjoy eating what we made, learning ways to talk about food in French. By the end of the week, bakers will be able to say in French the most common ingredients in pastries, the most common pastries in French and the history of French pastries. In addition, they will know the most common verbs used in the kitchen, and while eating and drinking. FYI: The food unit is modeled after the Virginia Commonwealth's Program of Study for French as well as Mme's tried and true experiences during her 2o+ years of teaching French through baking.
How many bakers and counselors in the camp? For the elementary school camp, our ratio is 1 counselor: 6 bakers The bakers are in small groups so they can have plenty of space and attention when it's their time to be in the kitchen! For our 6-9th grade group, there will be 1 counselor: 8 bakers. There are a maximum of 25 campers at the baking camp.
Does the baker need to know French? For the elementary school group, no, it is not necessary they know French, but we do ask that they be open to hearing the French language! This is not an immersion class (where we speak French the whole day), but we will be saying certain things in French, especially the ingredients, the pastry names and the commands like mix, pour, crack an egg, etc. We have the same routine each day, we repeat the same ingredients and baking words each day, and we have many visuals and gestures that go with what we say in French when we do speak French. This method is usually very comforting and exciting for the bakers . In addition, since the topic is pastry making, students don't seem to mind if it's in English or French, since they are having too much fun baking and eating!!
For the Middle School group, oui, at least one year of French. This is not a complete immersion class, but the counselors will be using at least 70% in French. So we ask that they are comfortable hearing French and and they focus on the visual or gesture if they don't understand something. Of course, they can always ask us what something means and we'd be happy to tell them! We also ask that they are comfortable speaking at least some words or phrases in French. We hope that the content (BAKING!) is interesting enough that they are not thinking too much about French, but rather the enjoyment of baking and eating!
For the Middle School group, oui, at least one year of French. This is not a complete immersion class, but the counselors will be using at least 70% in French. So we ask that they are comfortable hearing French and and they focus on the visual or gesture if they don't understand something. Of course, they can always ask us what something means and we'd be happy to tell them! We also ask that they are comfortable speaking at least some words or phrases in French. We hope that the content (BAKING!) is interesting enough that they are not thinking too much about French, but rather the enjoyment of baking and eating!
Covid-19 Protocols: We will be following the CDC's Covid-19 Guidance for summer and youth camps. All bakers and camp counselors are required to be vaccinated to participate. Mask wearing is welcomed but optional
Can we have a refund? Refunds are not issued after the week before camp begins. Due to materials bought and extensive planning based on registration numbers, it is not feasible to give refunds. No refunds or prorated credit will be given for late arrivals, early departures and absences.
How can we practice French at home?
Tutoring Mme Rebecca is available for tutoring.
Shows and movies! Watch shows that are interesting to you! Netflix, Amazon Prime and Youtube have many French-speaking shows you can watch and may an English subtitles option.
Listening to music and trying to understand the lyrics!
Reading books and magazines! Bonjour Maman in Kensington has a very large collection of new and used French books and magazines. http://www.bonjourmama.com/
Hooray 4 Books on King St. in Old Town Alexandria and French Politics & Prose in Washington, DC has a collection of French books for sale as well.
A few libraries in our area have books you may borrow: The library at Alliance Francaise in DC, DC Public Libraries and Beatley library here in Alexandria.
You may also join a French book club offered by the "L'ECOLE DES LOISIRS" publishers. For less than $10/month your child receives a French book. I often read these books in class so you may learn how to pronounce the words with me and then read them with your child at home. Please ask me about joining this enriching book club. This publisher also offers many other books if you're interested in buying books that aren't in the subscription. Please see me for more information or click on Learning at Home and find the section about our French Book Club.
There are many French books to be found on amazon.com and amazon.fr
There are many apps available for learners. Duolingo is one of my favorites!
Tutoring Mme Rebecca is available for tutoring.
Shows and movies! Watch shows that are interesting to you! Netflix, Amazon Prime and Youtube have many French-speaking shows you can watch and may an English subtitles option.
Listening to music and trying to understand the lyrics!
Reading books and magazines! Bonjour Maman in Kensington has a very large collection of new and used French books and magazines. http://www.bonjourmama.com/
Hooray 4 Books on King St. in Old Town Alexandria and French Politics & Prose in Washington, DC has a collection of French books for sale as well.
A few libraries in our area have books you may borrow: The library at Alliance Francaise in DC, DC Public Libraries and Beatley library here in Alexandria.
You may also join a French book club offered by the "L'ECOLE DES LOISIRS" publishers. For less than $10/month your child receives a French book. I often read these books in class so you may learn how to pronounce the words with me and then read them with your child at home. Please ask me about joining this enriching book club. This publisher also offers many other books if you're interested in buying books that aren't in the subscription. Please see me for more information or click on Learning at Home and find the section about our French Book Club.
There are many French books to be found on amazon.com and amazon.fr
There are many apps available for learners. Duolingo is one of my favorites!
