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TImes-Advocate, January 22,199:2
Lucan students gain age irfilth French ,I•iiron
By kay Lewis
LUCAN - No matter how strong
a country appears on the outside,
there is always the possibility that
internal strite may cause a rapid de-
cay. Over the past few years the
media has brought coverage of
countless instances with people ad-
amantly refusing to accept any son
of biculturalisiu. But for those
who are too shallow to see some of
ttie benefits incuire4 by impmved
Nicole las n (left) and Charlotte
class at Lucan Public.
Usselman work on paper mache during last Friday's
French -English relations, perhaps
it's time to go to school; literally.
For the past four years Lucan
Public School has been fostering a
_ u. -Crud
with a strong supporting cast and a
group of super -eager student.;, the
program certainly offers some in-
sight into relations. A quick trip
through Maryann Fisher's primary
classroom will reveal students un-
consctttattly conversing amongst
themselves *both languages.
"F sf Nvirget---thetrearrused `to
French and 'then you start to ser
more French coming back," said
Fisher. "Pretty soon the simple
things start to show through and
betbre you -know it they're speak-
-Tdgwkhout think ng:about it
plants--eitter-thc acheei +rte
.ground floor beginning with
-French in grade one. Slowly the
children begin to tackle the pronun-
ciation of common vocabulary
which they learn based on seeing
things and the fostering of speech.
Simultaneously, an hour of Eng-
lish is taught. Quickly the students
begin to read and write in English,
but listen and'speak in French.
The pupils then make the move
to. grade two, a transition made
-even easier for this year's crew be -
'cause -Fisher -moved up with there.
"It really saved a lot of time get -
ling to know -the kids at the -begin -
ming of -the year," said Fisher. -
"And 1 already knew what their
-strengths and weaknesses were and
could zero in on them right away."
In grade two, Fisher fosters then;
in reading and writing m French
based upon what level they are at in
--English. If they aren't reading very
well in English, then -she doeSn't ex-
pect the same in French.
art • The focus shifts a hide bit .in
grade two as well, because students
are now expected to- recognize
words that they know orally, read
:them and put them together in a
sentence. As they improve, they
then develop these sentences into a
story with.the addition of phonet-
ics. -
Currently at Lucan Public there
are three classes which- spend 350
.:Aaninutes a week learning in English
and the balance in French.' W.hilc
aphysimil tion classes remain
in English because of their rotation,
• mhildren learn math in French as
well as subjects such as social stud-
les, health ltd music.
"We focus on the main tMrgs in
English and then teach the west to
French," said Fisher. "We teach a
Jet of_tattgwge in PYench.1w'fmw
regardless of tongue, conventions
are basically the same.''
Fisher assures that parental re-
sponse to the program has been
great, and commends them for their
active participation.
"I've got'a really great group of
=ltxrents-beertuse-dieyrtre° genuinely
interested in their children," con-
firmed Fisher. "That's an important
C011180.'
In addition to parents Who volun-
teer • their services, Fisher receives
--balp--from- a -Preach nfbnitor 'who
shows up twice a week. In her•sec-
ond year studying French at the
University of Western Ontario,
Amy Heath has seen both sides of
the. coin. - - - - - -
"I was involved in a partial im-
mersion program myself from
grades 4-9 before 1 entered the nor-
mal core program," offered Heath.
"1 found the immersion was much
better; but -it does get taught as you
go along."
Heath definitely approves of im-
-mer t*nrhnd points init-f)tat n4Bn-
rope students aren't hard pressed to
pick up many languages.
"Most become fluent in 'at least
three," confirmed Heath. "It's too
bad more people don't realize the
-worth of language." -
'Jonathan Thompson (above)
tees his hand at paper ma
chi
F_etennhmel6orAm jJeftl rakes time form her -tip rroal_studies-at the_Univeisity_ of,WWst-
ern Ontario to help. with the. French immersion program at Lucan Public. --Above, Heath helps
students Allan MacAuley and Leslie Thompson.
n
Public mfg
planneillor
French immersion
LUCAN - A public meeting will bd bald in February to give patents
information about the French imrrterwott progratn otfered in Middles-
ex county.
The program offered. is a biliggttal.prograni which provides ban
. guage -proficiency in both English -nod French and develops all in,
skills and knowledge of a regular program.
Students living in .the attendance areas for the immersion schools
will ride ate regular school buses. Other students will ase regular
school bus routes and central pick up points to be arranged during the
school. . .
The ittfortttalion meetings, Matting at 7 p.m., will be held as follows:
Luoan.Public School, Lucan on Tuesday..February 4.(Snow date Feh-
Ctrary 11). Colborne -skeet School Strathroy on Wednesday. February
5 (snow date February 12). M.11. Mcliachren• School, Lambeth on
Thursday February 4 (snow date February 13).
Application forms and infurination regarding registration procedures
have been sent home with all Middlesex County kindergarten pupils:
Compieted applications are due at the Middlesex Education Cer[tre by
February 28. '
lininersion sibling:, and applicants..frotn the immersion schools list. -
cd above will [x: -given priority: All other Applications will be accepie,d
a "first-come. first-served" basis. Taking part in the information meet-
ings wilt be Middlesex County,I.ivard of &Ideation staff members in-
cluding Superuitendentof Academic Attains 'Wm Williamson, Super-
intendent of Scbuol's John Mackey and French'-Cortsultiirtt 084) [r
Muticxivich. . , . .
> -tam/tles French literature dun
class. `-
frouLtkitn i s of,
the '1'inies4Advopat
Su lay: nigillopt Exeter United Church. 'the chureit.was 111u -
p d 'l,Uanips.
Attr by Lee Webber reached:the.Royal
. -7 Catladian int ale "C' t ls.
50 Years Ago
January 22, 1942 Flyiugf er '1 litmus uis Pryde was Ilotttc
un leave to see the additi ipmelnt to the Exeter Le-
gion hall for the enter1 i�t;Ot` n n: activeservice while
vi tllg
or pasting.through E .
r L ku. s eid their fourth,.nnual Ladies Night
witforasidenalarperRivers in charge.
AriOnather of the local unit of the First #lussars will receive
drams and trurttpets bought J'rMutki ; ttsV pruquds.
The annual meeting of, the Exeter,amgOopunittee rt.
vealedt,trevenue for 1941 was $10.414,0d expcmts
auagkl to $1,060.97.
Allmon Sweilmr.was tamed presideut of the Stephen
'Itisitship federation of Agriculture. .
jte lobi,, ytcl found itis reported that a 90,pound Nick
44son Saltsogas lost. on the Exeter -St. Marys road.
Years Ago
January, ZO ; S►$2 koteter,ratepayers will ;piel i 1
deficitincurredbythe :community park and gramodaikaiel.
,pont committee. -
-Value of; building .perrltst n Exeter dectinec4lu the lowest
levet sirx a records were easblished in 1974.
The .planned extra j>c o y February by Exeter
council .will not he observerLIM101widgats are surged to mark
the birthday of Sir John ik.gatAtuaillid.
omputer rountakroalittliuron District, HighSclwol;iv
a busy spot these flays.
lfrian4,ci c, 1t of the Exeter. Hawks led the north toren 117,5
win in thii.14000a1OHA Junior " 1►" alt star ph*. ,
Zurich•piuncit decided to go to Ilio lour installtmtentsye4em
for collection of taxes for 1982. 1081 V,sars.Ago
January At 01/:8kf:tire:192:4Y
25 Y s A o township. *e,yts-tuUuws. ` I t
;January 19, 1967 - On tagid,Davelupinent t;ur.poratiun tiii5•10-;r1,4itta 1410; ► k k.Ai , ►t #4411
;iai rkclied a>fsasibillty stud rnune iftbe Centralia Mr pert $55 anti '1 at oliet r4.$ s k1 cSmith -
'l ilcstrike of cab dri iirsjot #tel a is. ever.
A:letter to the i4 tp te1104 ii#,44iiF,-11,,Wr'::
ittar ket.woulil he, My
sport 120 roils wittii
}'orce Base could be usecitJil
A new ;policx man vans not-illIt u&e
unc-vf Wit!i;;IJttitid:ttes yac could A ,.
• (-lust. to 1,200 kt auvided4a4;014411101 pfiervice.
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