Blogging From A to Z Challenge: L is for Language

Hi! I didn't see any mini knitted pumpkin or butterfly pictures in my inbox—are you still working on those projects? Me too. I have a feeling knitting is something I'll pick away at, you know? For today though, it's time to move on...

Oh, in case you didn't know, I'm participating in the annual Blogging from A to Z Challenge and my theme this year is 26 Super Fun Learning Activities You Can Do From Home. That's right, I'm conjuring up 26 "educational" ideas to keep you busy while you're safe at home. But don't get too hung up on the word "educational"—so far, they've all be fun activities. Am I wrong?

Just to recap, I kicked off the challenge with Art for the letter A. Next up was B was for Baking. My sister and I did some chemistry for the letter "C," and I rounded off the first week with a family dance off. "E" was for exercise (which was way more fun than you think) and "F" was all about family. We did some gardening for "G," celebrated Poetry Month and the letter "H" by writing haikus. And of course, "I" was for Invention. Week two ended with juggling. And, as you know, we started week three of the challenge with knitting.

I've got something totally different planned for the letter "L." Ready?

L is for Language 

As in, learning a new one.

We're learning French in school, but since classes are out until at least September, I admit, I haven't been working on my lessons. Mom says it's time to get back at it. But without my French teacher, how will I know if I'm doing it right—especially if my parents aren't bilingual?

Good news! Mom says my sister and I can watch as many cartoons and movies as we want, and read as many books as we can find...as long as they're in French. Oh sure, we'll start with the alphabet and numbers—my sister hasn't taken any French classes, so helping her get started will be a great refresher for me. Here's a silly song to help you with pronunciation.

Mom suggested coming up with some kind of counting game to work on numbers—like maybe counting all of the rolls of toilet paper in the pantry. Just kidding! We didn't stock up, because Mom says there is more than enough supply. But maybe Amelia and I will count the number of Easter eggs we got this weekend?

After that, we can start naming things in the house—fruits and vegetables, furniture, items on the shelf. (Mom said we could "dust" and when we put things away, name the stuff in French. Not sure how I feel about that.)

Next up? French songs! Here's a link to 70 of them.

Finally, we get to cartoons, movies, and books. A simple Google search will net you thousands of cartoon and movie ideas—many of which you can watch on YouTube. But for books? I have the perfect idea.

Did you know that seven of the Superman Duffy educational graphic novels were translated into French? Yup, that's right. And you can download or order them for FREE from the Alberta Canola Producers Commission website. One click and you'll be saying Merci. (That means "thanks.")

I know I've talked a lot about French, but you can use this time to learn any language. Like, maybe your family is Italian? Could you do a daily lesson with your Nonna? Or how about Polish? Mr. Slovonuk was Polish—he was the first farmer to bring canola seeds to Canada. You can read about him—in English or French in the first book of the Superman Duffy series, Fields of Home.

Gotta jet! See you tomorrow for the letter "M."

~ Chase Superman Duffy