Current Events

The Arts

Topic: Current Events

Communication

• Person-to-Person Communication
  

• Ask and answer questions concerning current events.
  

• Express and exchange reactions to current events.
  

• Listening and Reading for Understanding
  

• Identify main ideas and pertinent details when reading or listening to newscasts or reading selections from written news sources.
  

• Oral and Written Presentation
  

• Communicate main ideas and supporting details orally and in writing when presenting current events.
  

• Produce and explain opinions and reactions to current news events.
  

Cultures

• Cultural Perspectives, Practices, and Products
  

• Discuss how the viewpoints of people from francophone countries are reflected in their news broadcasts and publications.
  

Connections, Comparisons, and Communities

• Making Connections Through Language
  

• Relate knowledge of current events gained in social sciences, history, government, and science classes to information learned in French class.
  

• Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
  

• Compare and contrast attitudes of people in the U.S. and in francophone countries towards world events.
  

• Communication Across Communities
  

• Locate and use authentic resources (TV news programs, Internet, newspapers, and magazines) to broaden understanding of current events.
  

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary related to the mass media (e.g., article, editorial, broadcast)
  

• Vocabulary needed to identify the roles of important people in the French-speaking world, such as political leaders and celebrities
  

• Verb tenses required for narrating and commenting on current events
  

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Topic: The Arts

Communication

• Person-to-Person Communication
  

• Express and elicit opinions and preferences about a francophone composer, performer, artist, or writer and his or her style.
  

• Listening and Reading for Understanding
  

• Understand main ideas and pertinent details presented in oral and written descriptions or critiques of music, art or literature (e.g., teacher or student presentations, taped museum tours, videos, and publications).
  

• Oral and Written Presentation
  

• Produce oral and written reports on artists (e.g., composers, painters, writers, musicians, etc.).
  

• Produce and explain opinions and reactions to music, art, and literature.
  

Cultures

• Cultural Perspectives, Practices, and Products
  

• Discuss the influence of historical events and political and social climate on the arts and vice versa (e.g., music as a reflection of the times and its use to spread ideas).
  

Connections, Comparisons, and Communities

• Making Connections Through Language
  

• Relate knowledge of the fine arts and the humanities to information gained in French class.
  

• Cultural and Linguistic Comparisons
  

• Compare artistic styles and movements and the value placed on art in francophone countries and the U.S.
  

• Compare musical, artistic, and literary styles and movements and the value placed on them in francophone countries and the U. S.
  

• Communication Across Communities
  

• Locate and use art resources in the community and/or the Internet to broaden understanding of the arts.
  

Related Vocabulary and Linguistic Elements

• Vocabulary related to the theater, museums, art exhibits, and geography
  

• Vocabulary for describing and expressing preferences and admiration
  

• Il s'agit de
  

• Vocabulary related to periods and styles
  

• Passé simple
  

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