Tuesday, September 16, 2014

French Games

Good Morning Room 3 

I can imagine you all did your best at the Sports carnival this term and tried your best at weekly practice.

I thought I would share some of the popular French games that children like to play outside and inside. 

Sport

The main sport they play in France is soccer, but here they call it football. Most kids can kick, dribble (run and kick the ball) and head a ball like it is their second nature. They like to play small versions with their friends and set up goals. Many cities have their own soccer teams and they complete against each other. Lots of kids like to go and watch their favourite teams, like you would go and watch the Eagles or the Dockers play in Perth. Aaron's favourite team is Bordeaux. Rugby is also popular here. Children will go and watch games with their family. They do not play cricket and most French kids have never heard of AFL.

Soccer player for Bordeaux

Card Games

A popular card game here is Dobble. Toby,  I can imagine that you would be really good at this game! You have cards that are in a circle shape and on each card is a different combination of pictures. There are many different games you can play with these cards but the most basic game is you deal out the card evenly and then place one card in the middle.
 Everyone has to look at their cards and find a matching picture to any on the card in the middle. When you have found the matching picture you say it out loud, for example you would shout out 'Candle' and then place the card on top if the pile.
You have to call out the name of the picture before placing it down. The player who gets rid of all their cards cards first is the winner. You can get different variaritions of the game, letters, numbers etc but the picture one is the funniest. Read more here: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dobble or see how to play the variations here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TfDH0Rnpyc




Board Games

Another popular game here is Mastermind. I think I have seen this played in Australia before too but not as popular. It is usually played with 2 players. Player 1 selects a colour patter and player 2 has to guess it by placing predictions. Player 1 tells player 2 if they are correct or not with small coloured pegs. It is really clever to see how fast kids can figure out what the other player's pattern is. Abigail and Jonalee I could see you two going head to head with this game! Learn more about mastermind here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastermind_(board_game)




Computer games

The computer games in France are almost completely the same as Australia! Kids here love playing XBox, Playstation and Wii. Most of them have either a PSP or a DS with similar games to Australia. The only difference being - the language is in French! 

Outdoor Games

French children are very passionate about the rules of games and don't like cheaters. If they have a problem with someone not playing fairly they will tell them straight away they are not playing fairly and it isn't making the game enjoyable. Most French children like to sort out their problems with each other and rarely go to the teacher because they know if they talk to the other person they can sort it out. French kids do not give up easily - especially if they think they can win.
Another very interesting thing I saw was they don't mind if it rains when they are playing outside. It rains more often in France than Australia so when it rains none of the children go inside or undercover, and they defiinitely don't go back to their classroom, they just continue playing in the rain!

We are very lucky to have so much space to play outdoor games at Camboon, especially on the green grass and amongst the trees!

What game are you going to play at lunch today? What games will you play when you get home? Remember to enjoy yourself and play fairly, but most of all be a good loser!

Au revoir
Miss Stinson 


French Music

Good Morning Room 3 

This post is all about French Music. You all know how much I love to put on music and have a dance so I thought I would share some of my favourite French music with you and yes, of course, you can dance to it!

To start with a lot of the popular music in France is the same music as in Australia. We get a lot of our music from other parts of the world like USA  and England and so does France. Remember a lot of French people can speak some English so they understand most of the lyrics in the songs. Yes, One Direction and Justin Bieber are popular in France too, but here are some musicians that are popular in France.

Traditional French Style Music

This is the type of music that you would hear on television programs and films that are about France. The main instrument is an accordion. The music sounds very romantic. This music isn't played on the radio in France but I have heard many buskers in the streets playing it for the tourists.
Have a listen here, you may have heard it before.
This song is from the popular french movie Amelie.




Modern Music - KYO

These guys have a very popular song at the moment called Le Graal. It is all in French so I only understand parts of this song but the tune has become a favourite, not really one to dance to but a funky tune.
You can listen to this song here.

Dance Music - Logobitombo 

French kids love the song Logobitombo by Moussier Tombola. They go absolutely nuts, I have never seen it before. There is a dance that goes with this song which is super fun. Again this is all in French. This song is about which type of dance you like to do. It is very funny and the actions don't really make much sense, which is why I think kids like it. We are definitely doing this dance when I get back next term.
You can check out the film clip here and see if you can learn some of the dance before I get back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWXYnW2Um68


Fun Music - Magic in the Air

This song, Magic in the Air by Magic System, is a good one because the chorus is mostly in English and then the verses are in French. The song was inspired by the World Cup and you can see that inspiration in the film clip. Unfortunately this song doesn't come with a dance so we are going to have to make up one together. I think it might have to have some soccer type moves in it. When I hear this song it just makes me want to start jumping and cheering. This song is full of life and fun.
Listen to this fun song here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAkqJT_sMKQ





There are also many artists that are French but sing in English. Daft Punk are French and sing in English, and David Guetta is French too.

What is your favourite song at the moment? Have you had a dance to it lately? Maybe you can ask you parents or Miss Bettella to play it for you!

I hope you have all had a wonderful Term 3 and are looking forward to your holidays.

I have left France and have been to England, Wales, Ireland and I am now in Scotland. 

Not long until I am back in Australia! 

Au revoir

Miss Stinson