30 juin 2011 - Saying Goodbye to Sarlat

JEUDI

Taught my last morning class at École Jules Ferry and said a quick goodbye to all the other teachers.

The students and teachers at École de la Canéda presented me with an amazing surprise.. some souvenirs from Sarlat.

My 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd graders.

Began my last walk around Sarlat with the girls I spent my Wednesday afternoons with.

I left my window open while out and came back to find a bird flying around in my apartment.

18 juin 2011 - Fête de l'école

SAMEDI

Josephine Baker was the inspiration for the end of the year performance at École de la Canéda. On May 6th, the students went on a field trip to visit the nearby castle that Josephine Baker lived in.

Two students and le directeur (the principal) introduce the program for the evening.

 The CP (first graders). The CP et CE1 (first and second graders).

 The CE2 (third graders).

The CM2 (fifth graders). The CE1 et CE2 (third and forth graders).

Following the evening of performances by the students everyone was invited onto the stage to dance.

14 juin 2011

MARDI

Students at École de la Canéda rehearsing for the end of the year recital. 

The moon the day before the eclipse.

31 mai 2011 - École et Cinéma

MARDI

Setting up for lunch at École de la Canéda.

École de la Canéda invited me to join the third, fourth, and fifth graders on a field trip to the Sarlat movie. This is the second time I have been invited to the cinema with the school, though it is the third time this school year for the students. 

There is a project called École et Cinéma, which has various national sponsorships and allows students to see films in a cinema setting and then go back to the classroom and discuss it. 

The film we saw was "Into the West" (1993) about the Travellers in Ireland. The children received a leaflet about the film before seeing it allowing them to get some context. They expected the film to be dubbed into French, though it turned out to be in the original version (English) with French subtitles, which was not easy for third, fourth, and fifth graders to read along.

 The largest salle at Sarlat's cinema. 

After the film, we catch the bus back to school.

The sun begins to descend through the clouds as I walk home after gymnastics at about 8pm.

19 mai 2011 - Book voting, Rural walking

JEUDI

Snazzy ride outside an auto repair stop.

At École de la Canéda the third and fourth graders vote for their favorite book that they read this year. Their vote will be added to national results to award the winning book Le Prix des Incorruptibles. The vote was a very official ordeal. 

I take a long route home from school.

 Oui (yes). Exiting the neighborhood of la Canéda.

Grape vines. Tractor. 

They are drilling holes and digging everywhere.

Weeding the roundabout.

Take a walk downtown: the tourist with the suitcase had a Rick Steves book in hand.