Describe the view from your bedroom window in one English sentence. What do you see: trees, a river, mountains, the beach?
Today we learn eight French nature words, then join two or three of them to describe a place, including a famous mountain park in France.
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Name eight nature features in French
- Describe a place with two or three details in short sentences
- Compare who can walk in wild places in France and in Ireland
Today's eight nature words live in places like the Parc national de la Vanoise in the French Alps.
First: look at each picture, listen to the French (with the article), and repeat it twice with the class.
Then: try from the English side and flip to check.
Listen for the soft r in rivière and the silent t in forêt.
Worked example (say it with the class after you know most of the words):
En Vanoise, il y a une forêt et une rivière près de la montagne.
(on vah-NWAHZ, eel ee ah oon fo-RAY ay oon ree-VYAIR pray duh lah mon-TAN-yuh) — In Vanoise, there is a forest and a river near the mountain.
This picture is a mountain landscape like the Parc national de la Vanoise. Put each French label on the right feature. Say the word quietly as you place it so the whole class hears the article too.
Open your copy. First we build one or two sentences together out loud from the frame on the board. Then write one solid sentence (two if you finish) describing a place you know, or a Vanoise-style view, using at least three of today's words.
Models on the board (copy the pattern, change the words):
En Vanoise, il y a une forêt et une rivière près de la montagne.
Je vois le lac et la cascade près de la montagne.
Frame: Il y a ___ et ___ près de ___. | Je vois ___ et ___ près de ___.
Word bank stays up: la montagne, la forêt, la rivière, le lac, l'arbre, la fleur, la cascade, la plage. Take care with accents and articles.
Spin the wheel. When it lands on a nature word, build a short French sentence with the board frame:
Il y a … près de … or Il y a … et … près de …
Example shape: Il y a la plage à Wexford. or Il y a la cascade près de la montagne.
Pair finish (1–2 minutes): Partner A says Il y a … with one word from the bank; Partner B adds et … (and près de … if they can). Then swap.
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