Activity Overview
The many variations of French negations may take students some time to master. In this activity, students will use a spider map to practice various constructions of negation. Provide students with a list of negative adverbs to practice and ask them to use each expression in a sentence with an accompanying storyboard illustration. Make the activity more or less complex by specifying a particular tense for your students to use with their negatives.
Suggested Negative Adverbs
- ne … pas de tout
- ne … point
- ne … jamais
- ne … plus
- ne … guère
- ne … rien
- ne … personne
- ne … ni … ni
- ne … aucun(e)
- ne … que
- ne … nul (nulle)
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Demonstrate your understanding of French negatives as well as your ability to use them in a sentence. Be creative, but make sure that all of your spelling and grammar is correct!
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title box, identify the negative adverb you will use.
- In the description, write a sentence using that negative adverb.
- Create an illustration for each sentence using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Excellent 7 Points | Satisfaisant 4 Points | Insuffisant 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Negative adverbs | All negative adverbs are used correctly and make logical sense in the sentences. Both parts of the negative expression are placed correctly in each sentence. | Most negative adverbs are used correctly and make logical sense in the sentences. Both parts of the negative expression are placed correctly in most sentences. | Sentences demonstrate a lack of understanding of negative adverbs. Most or all are used incorrectly and placed inappropriately. |
| Images | The storyboard depictions show strong effort and help convey the meaning of the negative adverbs used. | The storyboard depictions show some effort and roughly convey the meaning of the negative adverbs used. | The storyboard depictions show a lack of effort and do not effectively convey the meaning of the negative adverbs. |
| Spelling/Grammar | All sentences and/or dialogue contain correct grammar and spelling (including accent marks) as appropriate for the class level. | Most sentences and/or dialogue contain correct grammar and spelling (including accent marks) as appropriate for the class level. | The sentences and/or dialogue contain many grammatical or spelling errors (including accent marks). |
Activity Overview
The many variations of French negations may take students some time to master. In this activity, students will use a spider map to practice various constructions of negation. Provide students with a list of negative adverbs to practice and ask them to use each expression in a sentence with an accompanying storyboard illustration. Make the activity more or less complex by specifying a particular tense for your students to use with their negatives.
Suggested Negative Adverbs
- ne … pas de tout
- ne … point
- ne … jamais
- ne … plus
- ne … guère
- ne … rien
- ne … personne
- ne … ni … ni
- ne … aucun(e)
- ne … que
- ne … nul (nulle)
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Demonstrate your understanding of French negatives as well as your ability to use them in a sentence. Be creative, but make sure that all of your spelling and grammar is correct!
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title box, identify the negative adverb you will use.
- In the description, write a sentence using that negative adverb.
- Create an illustration for each sentence using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Excellent 7 Points | Satisfaisant 4 Points | Insuffisant 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Negative adverbs | All negative adverbs are used correctly and make logical sense in the sentences. Both parts of the negative expression are placed correctly in each sentence. | Most negative adverbs are used correctly and make logical sense in the sentences. Both parts of the negative expression are placed correctly in most sentences. | Sentences demonstrate a lack of understanding of negative adverbs. Most or all are used incorrectly and placed inappropriately. |
| Images | The storyboard depictions show strong effort and help convey the meaning of the negative adverbs used. | The storyboard depictions show some effort and roughly convey the meaning of the negative adverbs used. | The storyboard depictions show a lack of effort and do not effectively convey the meaning of the negative adverbs. |
| Spelling/Grammar | All sentences and/or dialogue contain correct grammar and spelling (including accent marks) as appropriate for the class level. | Most sentences and/or dialogue contain correct grammar and spelling (including accent marks) as appropriate for the class level. | The sentences and/or dialogue contain many grammatical or spelling errors (including accent marks). |
How Tos about Practicing Negative Constructions in French
How to Differentiate French Negation Practice for Mixed Ability Classrooms
Tailor negation activities by grouping students and assigning varying levels of negative adverbs and sentence complexity. Pair beginners with simpler negations and advanced students with more challenging forms to boost confidence and engagement.
Introduce Negative Adverbs with Visual Aids
Display each negative adverb on anchor charts with example sentences and images. Visual connections help students remember meanings and usage, making abstract grammar more concrete and accessible.
Model Sentence Creation Using Think-Alouds
Demonstrate how to craft sentences with negative constructions by verbalizing your thought process. Walk students through word order and agreement so they internalize the structure before independent practice.
Incorporate Collaborative Storyboarding
Assign pairs or small groups to create and illustrate short stories using different negative adverbs. Collaboration encourages peer learning and lets students see diverse examples of negation in context.
Use Quick Exit Tickets for Formative Assessment
Ask students to write a sentence with a randomly assigned negative adverb on a slip of paper as they leave. This provides immediate feedback on their grasp of the day’s lesson and highlights areas needing review.
Frequently Asked Questions about Practicing Negative Constructions in French
What are common negative constructions in French?
Common negative constructions in French include forms like ne...pas (not), ne...jamais (never), ne...rien (nothing), and others such as ne...personne (no one) and ne...plus (no longer). Each has a specific usage to express different types of negation.
How can students practice French negative adverbs effectively?
Students can practice French negative adverbs by using activities like creating sentences with each adverb and illustrating them in a spider map or storyboard. This helps reinforce both the meaning and correct grammatical structure of each negative construction.
What is a spider map activity for learning French negations?
A spider map activity involves writing a central topic (like 'French Negatives') and branching out with different negative adverbs. For each branch, students write example sentences and add illustrations to visually reinforce their understanding.
What are some tips for teaching French negative adverbs to middle and high school students?
Tips for teaching French negative adverbs include using visual aids like storyboards, providing sentence starters, practicing in different tenses, and encouraging students to create their own examples. Making it interactive and creative helps students retain negation patterns.
How do you make a French negatives lesson more challenging?
To make a French negatives lesson more challenging, require students to use specific tenses (like past or future), combine multiple negative adverbs in complex sentences, or ask for detailed illustrations with their sentences to deepen understanding.
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