05/05/2008 08:37 PM

A Mother’s Day Poem That Kids Recite in France

Soon it’ll be Mothers’ Day in France. This year it’s on May 25th. Usually teachers have their students learn a poem. One they often select is by Pierre Gamarra and is called Je te souhaite – I Wish You… You can click on the link above to read the French version. Monique [...]

04/30/2008 05:46 PM

May Holidays in France

Monique Palomares of Mama Lisa’s World en français (our site devoted to children’s songs around the world with their French translations) sent me this short post about public holidays in France in May… It’s too bad for French people this year! Usually, May 1st and Ascension Day are separate public holidays, but this year Ascension Day [...]

04/29/2008 04:28 PM

May Celebrations

Guest blogger Ed Gawlinski sent me this short post about celebrations in May… On May 5th a lot of people in the United States are going to have tacos or burritos for lunch to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. On May 5th of 1862 Troops led by Ignacio Zaragoza halted a French invasion of Mexico in [...]

04/23/2008 10:06 PM

Sur le pont d’Avignon… about the Bridge of Avignon and its Song

Many people know the song Sur le pont d’Avignon (On the Bridge of Avignon). During my recent trip to France, I was lucky enough to see the actual bridge that the song is about. Here is what the real Bridge of Avignon looks like… Though the words to the song are about dancing on the bridge, [...]

02/23/2008 03:22 PM

The Symbolism of the Egg

As Easter approaches, it’s natural to think a little about eggs! In days gone by the egg, due to its shape, was a symbol of the earth. Thanks to its obvious association with the beginning of life, it has also been the basis of many ancient creation stories. It has been a symbol [...]

02/11/2008 12:43 PM

International Student Exchange Programs

Ed Gawlinski, who’s been involved with various cultural organizations throughout his life, sent me this email… I get emails from AFS (American Field Service) from time to time. AFS is an organization that promotes cultural exchange. It was started by members of the United States’ volunteer ambulance corp (American Field Service) who served during [...]

02/03/2008 01:27 PM

Traveling With Kids

My family and I are planning a trip to France! And, yes, that does include my six year old daughter and thirteen year old son. My husband and I are very excited, but we’re trying to go with our eyes open: It’s not going to be easy! Traveling with young ones is always [...]

01/15/2008 12:14 PM

The Song “Make New Friends”, in Spanish and French

This month I’ve been asked a couple of times for French and Spanish translations of Make New Friends. In one case, it was for Girl Scouts for World Thinking Day. The troop wanted to sing Make New Friends in Spanish to represent Mexico. In another case, a Brownie troop wanted to sing [...]

11/29/2007 11:02 AM

Mrs. Mouse Trots - A Poem that French Students Start Learning in Kindergarten

The other day I wrote about how French students learn poetry by heart. Monique, who was a first grade teacher in France for many years wrote: French students start learning poetry by heart in first grade – which is 6 years old and often earlier! Dame souris trotte (Mrs. Mouse Trots) is often taught [...]

11/26/2007 10:01 PM

Teaching an Appreciation of Poetry to Kids

It’s interesting that in France they have children learn poetry as part of their schooling. Children have to memorize poems. Though difficult, memorization can help develop a special appreciation for poems. This is something that most of my generation in America didn’t really get as part of their general education. I [...]