French Curriculum
At the French American School of Denver, our curriculum combines the academic traditions of France and the United States.
FASDenver's curriculum creates a stimulating bilingual learning environment that focuses on student learning and well-being and supports the intellectual development of each student.
Our educational programming aligns with French educational standards while also meeting Colorado State Standards.
OUR IMMERSION APPROACH
FASDenver utilizes a two-way immersion (TWI) model, a specific type of dual-language education that allows students to learn a second language while continuing to develop their first language. While TWI programs vary in implementation, fidelity to the model includes the following characteristics: instruction in two languages, one language at a time, and peer-to-peer facilitated language sharing.
Kindergarten Curriculum Breakdown
Kindergarten (la Grande Maternelle): 90% French instruction
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The main mission is to make children want to go to school to learn, flourish and assert their personality. The first year of schooling establishes the educational and pedagogical foundations on which students’ learning is based and developed throughout their schooling. It organizes specific learning methods by setting up various situations: problem solving, manipulation, memorization.
Play time has a very important place at this age and acts as a lever for student learning. We alternate between collective and independent work phases to allow students to interact socially and also build their autonomy.
Main areas of learning:
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Mobilize language in all its dimensions;
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Act, express yourself and understand through physical activity;
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Act, express yourself through artistic activities;
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Acquire first mathematical tools;
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Explore the world;
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Learn together, live together.
Subjects taught in English: English Language Arts and Social Studies
French is the language of instruction approximately 90% of the time throughout the day for kindergarten.
First, Second & Third Grade Curriculum Breakdown
G1-2-3 (cycle 2: apprentissages fondamentaux): 80%-90% French instruction
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Our learning objectives revolve around five distinct domains of learning. We are building strong skills to think and communicate learning the target language. We are learning about methods and learning tools to develop responsible individuals and citizens. In addition, we focus on natural and
technical systems to keep expanding our representation of the world and human activity.
Subjects taught in English: English Language Arts and Social Studies, 3rd grade Math.
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Main areas of learning:
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Mobilize language to communicate and understand, read, write;
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Act, express yourself through artistic activities: world representation, express your emotions;
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Musical education: sing, listen, compare, explore and imagine;
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Develop motricity, assume roles and responsibility, health and safety through physical education;
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Explore the world by situating yourself in space and time, developing scientific methods, acquiring an ethical and responsible behavior;
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Develop mathematical skills: numbers, problem solving, operations, space and geometry, measurements.
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Specials: We will offer art, music, and physical education to our students from K-5 in the 2024-2025 school year.
Fourth, Fifth & Sixth Grade Curriculum Breakdown
G4-5-6 (cycle 3: consolidation): 70% French instruction in 4th-5th,
50% French instruction starting in Middle school.
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This cycle of consolidation puts emphasis on educational continuity and
coherence of learning with the main objective being the acquisition of
knowledge, skills, and culture. Subjects taught in English: English Language Arts, Social Studies, Science and Math
Main areas of learning:
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Mobilize language to communicate at a higher level combined with reading comprehension and writing;
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Act, express yourself through artistic activities: experiment, create, analyse our practice, keep an open mind;
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Musical education: sing, listen, compare, explore and imagine;
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Develop motricity, understand role and responsibility, the importance of regular exercise through physical education;
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Historical and geographical landmarks, learn to reason and justify their approach and specific choices, question yourself and the world;
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Develop mathematical skills: numbers, problem solving, operations, space and geometry, measurements.
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Specials: We will offer art, music, and physical education to our students from K-5 in the 2024-2025 school year.
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Social Emotional learning: FASD supports its students with the Zones of
Regulation program to increase students’ self-awareness as well as social and
emotional skills. The goal is for students to have the capacity to manage big
feelings through self-regulation.