Un lion à Paris

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Un lion à Paris

Contributor: Nathalie Paris

Language of text: French
Type of text: Other
Author or source: Beatrice Alemagna, published by autrement
Intended age of students: Key Stage 2/3
Source reference: 9782746708167

Attached files:
More about this book and many others at www.nattalingo.co.uk.

No files attached to this page.

Approaches:
This is the (imaginary) story of how the statue of a lion on Place Denfert-Rochereau in Paris came to be.
It is best read to the pupils when they already have some knowledge about Paris, but could also be used as an introduction to the city, as all the children should have seen, if nothing else, the Eiffel Tower somewhere.
At first reading, I get the children to write down, in note form, where the lion goes; then I get them to look out for evidence/clues that the story in set in France (eg baguette, French writing).
I read it again and ask the children to decide and tell me in French, on each double page, how they think the lion is feeling: il va bien / il va mal / je ne sais pas.
The last time I read it all the way through I ask some prepared questions in English (contact me please for a list of those): for instance, where does he live at the beginning of the story? The children have to listen out for the cognate "savane".
After we have learnt more about Paris, I show the pictures again to the children and they have to tell me, in French, where the lion is.

Rationale:
I want to use this book because it is a beautifully illustrated emotional story about feeling like a stranger in a new place and finding your place in the world.
It also gives you an insight into certain places in Paris and the French culture; it is content-rich.

Outcomes:
There is in the inside cover a simplified map of Paris showing where the lion goes. It could be used to practise directions in French.
With this story, the children will learn a lot about the city of Paris and its culture. They can do a lot more work to find out about it in more detail thanks to the map and activities on the Culturethèque website (see my website for links and more).
At the end of their learning, the children (whether they have ever been there or not) could say what their favourite place in Paris is and why.

Topics or themes:
Paris; French culture; directions

Grammar:
any of your choice as the text is rich; I would personally focus on adjectives

Strategies:
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How much time required:
1-2 lessons

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