Samantha Decker
@sdeckerfrench.bsky.social
Middle school French teacher in Saratoga Springs NY, blogger, social justice ally
http://www.thefrenchcorner.net
http://www.thefrenchcorner.net
This is an activity I've done with both elementary and middle school students. It's essentially a color by number, but once the students are done coloring, they have to try to figure out what country/territory the flag belongs to.
November 20, 2025 at 11:13 PM
This is an activity I've done with both elementary and middle school students. It's essentially a color by number, but once the students are done coloring, they have to try to figure out what country/territory the flag belongs to.
Here's a guessing game I made to get students talking about family members (without having to talk about their own family). There are four similar families, and through asking and answering questions, students figure out which family their classmate belongs to.
November 19, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Here's a guessing game I made to get students talking about family members (without having to talk about their own family). There are four similar families, and through asking and answering questions, students figure out which family their classmate belongs to.
I am a big fan of Nearpod. I have been using it for years. One feature that I never used before now is drag & drog. It allows you to give students words to drag & drop into categories, & you can arrange it to be self grading. The one thing I didn't like was that it didn't show students their score.
October 30, 2025 at 8:37 PM
I am a big fan of Nearpod. I have been using it for years. One feature that I never used before now is drag & drog. It allows you to give students words to drag & drop into categories, & you can arrange it to be self grading. The one thing I didn't like was that it didn't show students their score.
New post on the blog!
Creating a Diverse and Inclusive Classroom Environment and Curriculum - The French Corner
Last weekend, I presented at the New York State Association for Language Teachers Annual Conference. It was a great opportunity to connect with other language […] Read More
thefrenchcorner.net
October 24, 2025 at 8:52 PM
New post on the blog!
(1/2) Here's a fun no-tech, out of your seat activity. Students work in groups. The questions and answers in these dialogues are scattered all over the floor on crumpled up pieces of paper. One at a time, a group member grabs one piece of paper and brings it back to the group.
October 24, 2025 at 8:44 PM
(1/2) Here's a fun no-tech, out of your seat activity. Students work in groups. The questions and answers in these dialogues are scattered all over the floor on crumpled up pieces of paper. One at a time, a group member grabs one piece of paper and brings it back to the group.
Just ran through my presentation for the @nysaflt.bsky.social Annual Conference! Just need to make a few tweaks this week. I'll be presenting on Friday at 1 PM! #nysaflt25
October 13, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Just ran through my presentation for the @nysaflt.bsky.social Annual Conference! Just need to make a few tweaks this week. I'll be presenting on Friday at 1 PM! #nysaflt25
I made this video in Adobe Express using the AI animated voiceover character feature. It was fun to play around with and I liked the diverse options for characters. That said, I'm not sure if I'd have students make them as it takes a lot of time to create.
Les expressions nécessaires
YouTube video by Samantha Decker
www.youtube.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:12 AM
I made this video in Adobe Express using the AI animated voiceover character feature. It was fun to play around with and I liked the diverse options for characters. That said, I'm not sure if I'd have students make them as it takes a lot of time to create.
Every year I show my students an illustration I made in
@procreate.com about myself. I updated it this year to reflect my current interests.
@procreate.com about myself. I updated it this year to reflect my current interests.
September 4, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Every year I show my students an illustration I made in
@procreate.com about myself. I updated it this year to reflect my current interests.
@procreate.com about myself. I updated it this year to reflect my current interests.
Debuting a new design for my Canvas page this year. I designed this in Canva and I also ordered a poster of it to hang outside my door.
September 3, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Debuting a new design for my Canvas page this year. I designed this in Canva and I also ordered a poster of it to hang outside my door.
While many of you are starting school this week, in my neck of the woods we don't start until next week. This is the week that I start to think about getting things in place for the beginning of the school year. Here's an article I wrote in 2021 about la rentrée & much of it is still relevant today.
La rentrée 2021: The First Week of School - The French Corner
All teachers know that the first week of school is crucial for setting the tone for the year and establish relationships. That is why I, […] Read More
thefrenchcorner.net
August 25, 2025 at 3:14 PM
While many of you are starting school this week, in my neck of the woods we don't start until next week. This is the week that I start to think about getting things in place for the beginning of the school year. Here's an article I wrote in 2021 about la rentrée & much of it is still relevant today.
New post on the blog! ⬇️
One Simple Way I Improved Rapport With My Students and Expanded Their Vocabulary This Year - The French Corner
This year I tried something so simple, so basic, I am asking myself why I didn’t do this sooner. What was it? Asking my students […] Read More
thefrenchcorner.net
June 27, 2025 at 12:46 AM
New post on the blog! ⬇️
New post on the blog! ⬇️
Making the Most of a Short Cultural Video - The French Corner
It can be hard to incorporate authentic resources into novice level lessons, given students’ limited vocabulary. Sometimes we have to get creative and think outside […] Read More
thefrenchcorner.net
June 22, 2025 at 4:56 PM
New post on the blog! ⬇️
2 Truths and a Lie is one of my favorite community building activities. It's a great review of the vocabulary we learned all year and reinforces writing and listening skills. Read more about this and my other favorite community building activities: thefrenchcorner.net/2022/03/acti...
June 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
2 Truths and a Lie is one of my favorite community building activities. It's a great review of the vocabulary we learned all year and reinforces writing and listening skills. Read more about this and my other favorite community building activities: thefrenchcorner.net/2022/03/acti...
New post on the blog! ⬇️
7 Ways to Use Emojis in the World Language Classroom - The French Corner
Emojis can be useful visuals to use in the language classroom. They are also appealing to kids because they use them themselves. Here are some […] Read More
thefrenchcorner.net
May 25, 2025 at 7:53 PM
New post on the blog! ⬇️
My students recently wrote poems about themselves and about others. Read my 2023 post about it for more info: thefrenchcorner.net/2023/06/they...
May 18, 2025 at 11:12 PM
My students recently wrote poems about themselves and about others. Read my 2023 post about it for more info: thefrenchcorner.net/2023/06/they...
New post on the blog ⬇️
Introducing My Students to the Music of Angélique Kidjo (Plus, Other Ways to Introduce Authentic Music) - The French Corner
Back in March, I introduced my students to the music of Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo. Kidjo is a multilingual, multiple Grammy winning musician and a […] Read More
thefrenchcorner.net
April 28, 2025 at 1:56 AM
New post on the blog ⬇️
Some teachers think of a crossword puzzle as busy work, but they can be useful learning tools. The boxes help students know the right number of letters and the shared letters help them with spelling. I made this crossword puzzle using Discovery Education's puzzle maker.
March 23, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Some teachers think of a crossword puzzle as busy work, but they can be useful learning tools. The boxes help students know the right number of letters and the shared letters help them with spelling. I made this crossword puzzle using Discovery Education's puzzle maker.
New post on the blog, just in time for Mardi Gras!
Mardi Gras and Carnaval in French Class - The French Corner
This isn’t the first time I’ve blogged about Mardi Gras. Back in 2015, I shared My Favorite #Authres (and More!) for Mardi Gras & Carnaval. […] Read More
thefrenchcorner.net
February 27, 2025 at 2:03 AM
New post on the blog, just in time for Mardi Gras!
Reposted by Samantha Decker
Février, c’est le Mois de l’Histoire des Noir.e.s!
The AATF has curated videos, websites, & pedagogical materials from across the Francophone world to support lessons & activities.
YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Pinterest: pin.it/4AaOzPcYk
Wakelet: wakelet.com/wake/J4bqFLg...
The AATF has curated videos, websites, & pedagogical materials from across the Francophone world to support lessons & activities.
YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Pinterest: pin.it/4AaOzPcYk
Wakelet: wakelet.com/wake/J4bqFLg...
February 9, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Février, c’est le Mois de l’Histoire des Noir.e.s!
The AATF has curated videos, websites, & pedagogical materials from across the Francophone world to support lessons & activities.
YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Pinterest: pin.it/4AaOzPcYk
Wakelet: wakelet.com/wake/J4bqFLg...
The AATF has curated videos, websites, & pedagogical materials from across the Francophone world to support lessons & activities.
YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Pinterest: pin.it/4AaOzPcYk
Wakelet: wakelet.com/wake/J4bqFLg...
New post on the blog ⬇️
Resources for Time, Day and Date - The French Corner
Note: This is an update of a post I wrote back in 2016. Outdated resources have been removed and new ones have been added. Time, […] Read More
thefrenchcorner.net
February 13, 2025 at 12:32 AM
New post on the blog ⬇️
Fans of Angélique Kidjo: Can anyone tell me what language her song "Bomba" is sung in?
February 6, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Fans of Angélique Kidjo: Can anyone tell me what language her song "Bomba" is sung in?
New post on the blog ⬇️
20 of My Favorite Low-Tech Activities - The French Corner
Back in 2014, I wrote a post entitled The Value of Low-Tech in a High-Tech World. It’s over 10 years old at this point, but […] Read More
thefrenchcorner.net
February 2, 2025 at 9:20 PM
New post on the blog ⬇️
I recently used this video and exercises with my students. It's great for working with time and days of the week!
Une journée ! | Apprendre le français avec TV5MONDE
On fait quoi aujourd'hui ? Parlez des activités du quotidien et de l'heure avec 4 exercices #FLE A1
apprendre.tv5monde.com
January 18, 2025 at 1:37 AM
I recently used this video and exercises with my students. It's great for working with time and days of the week!
In my latest blog post, I share an activity I recently did with my French Club.
Learning About Notre Dame Cathedral and Making Scratch Art Stained-Glass Windows with My French Club Students - The French Corner
With the recent reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after its devastating fire in 2019, I thought this might be a great topic for […] Read More
thefrenchcorner.net
January 18, 2025 at 1:28 AM
In my latest blog post, I share an activity I recently did with my French Club.
With Chandeleur just around the corner, here is a look at how I introduce the holiday to my students, complete with crêpes to eat in class! ⬇️
How We Celebrate Chandeleur with Crêpes - The French Corner
Note: If you are an email subscriber, I recommend viewing this post in your browser, as there are videos and other content which will not […] Read More
thefrenchcorner.net
January 16, 2025 at 1:55 AM
With Chandeleur just around the corner, here is a look at how I introduce the holiday to my students, complete with crêpes to eat in class! ⬇️