In order to improve our French pronunciation, we will all be reciting the

same poem in front of the class. You will have one week to practice reading
the poem aloud. The presentation date will be noted on the white board by
Mrs. DeFilippos desk.
It does not need to be memorized, but you will be graded on the number of
pronunciation errors you make as you recite it. Make notes on your copy to
help you remember how to pronounce the words that are difficult for you.
We will spend a few minutes each day working on our pronunciation at the
beginning of class, but you will primarily be working on this at home, using
the audio file listed below. There is a link to it on my website as well (see
below).
1.
2.
3.
4.

Please go to Mrs. DeFilippos Google site at: frenchmrsd

Click on French I and then on Poem for children by Jacques Prvert
Read the poem entitled Chanson pour les enfants dhiver
Listen to the audio, pausing it every so often to practice your
pronunciation until you have perfected it.

http://www.frenchtoday.com/french-poetry-reading/chanson-pour-lesenfants-l-hiver-jacques-prevert-song-french-poem-video

Today, Im going to read a poem almost all French children know; they might have
learned it as a poem, or as a song. It was written by Jacques Prvert, famous 20th
century author who wrote simple poetry using everyday language, hence making him
very popular in our school system - remember that French children have to memorize
poetry throughout their studies, but particularly in elementary school to develop their
memory as well as taste for French literature.

As you listen to the poem, jot down helpful notes on the

line underneath each difficult word.

Poem / Song

Chanson pour les enfants lhiver

Dans la nuit de lhiver
galope un grand homme blanc
cest un bonhomme de neige
avec une pipe en bois
un grand bonhomme de neige
poursuivi par le froid
il arrive au village
voyant de la lumire
le voil rassur.
Dans une petite maison
il entre sans frapper
et pour se rchauffer
sassoit sur le pole rouge,
et dun coup disparait
ne laissant que sa pipe
au milieu dune flaque deau
ne laissant que sa pipe
et puis son vieux chapeau.
Translation

In the winters night

A big white man is running
It is a snowman
With a wooden pipe
A big snowman
Chased by the cold
He arrives in town
Seeing some light
He feels reassured.
In a small house,
He entered without knocking.
And to warm up
Sits on the red wood stove
And suddenly disappears.
Leaving only his pipe

In the middle of a puddle

Leaving only his pipe
And also his old hat.