Hamilton Public Library

The main French collection is located on the 4th Floor of the Central Library, 55 York Boulevard. It comprises about 3000 books, over 200 videos, six magazines: Elle, Actualite, Art et Decoration, L'Express, Quebec Sceince, Jeune Afrique and three newspapers: La Press from Montreal, Le Monde from Paris, L'Express from Toronto.

There is a smaller collection of French children's materials on the 1st Floor. The 4th Floor collection is mainly for adults and secondary level students. There is little that could serve elementary students below grade six in this collection. They should first try the children's French collection.

On the 4th Floor there are all kinds of French dictionaries, grammar books, cassettes and texts for French language learning. Most French and French Canadian literature classics are usually available, including novels, poetry and plays. For school projects there are two French encyclopedias and other sets for science, nature and geography - countries of the world.

Other branches of the Hamilton Public Library also have various children's novels, picture books, research materials, videos and cassette tapes. Ask the Branch librarian to show you where the French materials are shelved.

Hamilton Public Library -French Resources On-Line

The latest addition to the Hamilton Public Library's Kids Page is En français , a page all about HPL's French collection and online resources. The page includes information about the 7 branches that house the collection, tips for finding material in the catalogue, information about French dual-language, FLAG and MELD materials and much more….

Visit En français

French Language Early Years Centre

If you have pre-school or kindergarten children getting ready for French Immersion, you may want to bring them for a visit to Hamilton's French language Early Years Centre. Early Years Centres are free drop-in centres for children six and under and their caregivers, funded by the Province of Ontario.

The French language Early Years Centre (le Coin de la famille) is located at 460 Main St E, near Wentworth, on the 3rd floor of a small office building. Parking is at the rear. The Centre is open Wednesdays: 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Thursday & Friday 10:00am - 12:00pm, and Saturdays from 10:30am - 12:30pm. The Centre staff speak both English and French. Call 905-528-0163 Ext 228 for more information.

The Coin de la Famille offers:
French learning activities (crafts, books, videos, puzzles and games)
Toy lending & children's library (French materials)
Parent/caregiver support workshops
Cultural celebrations

French Language Tutoring

For students /adults. Improve conversation, grammar, writing & reading comprehension.
Private or group sessions. $30-$35/hr.

Contact Mme Di Muzio, retired French Immersion teacher (905-561-1345)

Hamilton Stores selling French Materials:

G. A. Educational Books & Toys Inc.
1024 Upper Wentworth Street
Hamilton, Ontario
905-389-3714

Tralco Educational
101-1030 Upper James Street
Hamilton, Ontario
905-575-5717
www.tralco.com/thome.htm

Scholar's Choice
920 Upper Wentworth Street
Hamilton, Ontario
905-318-5471
www.scholarschoice.ca

Poster Pals
P.O.Box 487
Smithville, Ontario
Hamilton, Ontario
1-800-265-7754
www.posterpals.ca

French Art Classes for Kids

Art instruction conducted entirely in French for French Immersion students.

Open your child's spirit to its creative potential by exploring different art processes and techniques.

At the Burlington Arts Centre 1333 Lakeshore Road, Burlington.

Course fee $75. Instructor: Brigitte Huard For students 9 - 12 years of age

Call (905) 632-7796 ext. 307 for more details

French Day Care/Camps

Creative French Camp Tel: (905) 526-9867
A one week summer expressive arts camp in French like no other, offering children choice and empowerment in the arts and in the French language. Email: camp@carocloutier.com
For children ages 6-12
Week of July 24-28 and possibly a second week Aug. 21-25
Cost: Early Bird cost: $99.00 (before July 15th, 07)
Regular cost: $124.00 (after July 15th) (materials included in cost)
Time: 9:00-3:30pm Extended Hours: 8:00-5:00 pm for an additional $5/day
Facilitator: Caro Cloutier B.A.Visual Arts, dipl.EXAT
Multidisciplinary artist, teaching artist and expressive art therapist
Please contact us as soon as possible if you are interested in registering for the above dates.
Camp Creatif Web Site

Le Petit Navire 400 Cumberland Avenue, Hamilton Tel: 905-549-7997
Offering weekly camps for children ages 6-12 for $125/week (includes lunches) Councillors speak French, however they are aware that young immersion children participate, and will speak some English to facilitate communication. The camp is based at Ecole Notre Dame, and has local trips, gross motor activities, crafts, and swimming at Scott Park once or twice a week. Camps run from June 30 through to August 22. A junior camp is available for 1 ½-4 year old children.

Le Ballon Rouge 135 Bendamere Avenue, Hamilton Tel: 905-383 8371
Offering weekly camps for children ages 6-10 for $115/week (includes lunches) This camp is for children who understand instruction in French only - ask your child's teacher if you are unsure. The camp is based at Ecole Monseigneur de Laval and plans a theme for each week with a trip that relates to that theme, as well as crafts and gross motor activities. Camps run from June 30 through to August 22

Summer Library Programs

Books on-line
People can access the Hamilton Public Library's website at www.hpl.ca then click on "Kids" (left side navigation) and click on "Good Books". Tumble Books are on-line children's books that can be accessed with your library card and read on the computer. Users can read the instructions and book descriptions in English but click on "Language Learning" to view the books in French. The books are read aloud and the text is highlighted as the book is read so this is a great tool for children learning French.

French Rhyme Time
This weekly programme for parents and young children focuses on the pleasure of sharing music and rhymes en français. Ages birth to 6 years Wednesdays from 2 to 3 pm between July 5 and August 30 except for the week of August 9. Presented by the Hamilton West Ontario Early Years Centre in the Children's Department at the Central Branch of the Hamilton Public Library. To register or for more information call 905-521-0926

French Stories for Families
A 3-week program of stories, songs and activities for children birth to six years and their parents/caregivers. Wednesdays at the Westdale Library on July 12, 19, & 26 from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. This program is presented in partnership with the Hamilton Public Library and the Centre de sante Communautaire through the financial assistance of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Registration for this free program begins Wednesday June 28 in person or by phone at 905-546-3456.

Typing in French

Shortcuts for typing common French Accents in Microsoft Word or Outlook
(Type the code and then the required vowel in either upper or lower case)

Accent acute: type CTRL " …then type the vowel... é á ý ó Ú Í
Accent grave: type CTRL ` …then type the vowel… è à Ò Ì ù
Accent cedilla: type CTRL , …then type c… ç Ç
Accent circumflex: type CTRL SHIFT 6 …then type the vowel… ê î Ô Û

Learn to Speak French:

Collège Boréal
In September 2004, Hamilton first French-language college access centre opened for business. The Collège Boréal is based in Sudbury, but has six other campuses in Ontario, and now has opened their only post-secondary access centre in Hamilton. Collège Boréal is located at 627 Main Street East (next to the Big Brothers agency).

Of special interest to French Immersion parents are the adult French as a Second Language courses the Collège runs each term. These nine courses start at beginner level and progress to intermediate and advanced level. Each course runs for 12 weeks and costs $219 plus a $35 textbook. Each textbook contains materials for 3 beginner, intermediate or advanced courses. The classes are 3 hours long and no class contains more than 15 students. Classes use everyday examples and resources such as newspaper and television to introduce students to the French language. Emphasis is placed on oral skills through subject related discussions on a different theme each week. Call 905-544-9824 to register for courses.

In a special partnership with Canadian Parents for French Hamilton-Wentworth, the Collège Boréal is offering a discount for CPF members. The textbook will be provided free to members of Canadian Parents for French. Click here to join CPF

Mohawk College: Certificate Of Competence In The French Language
French conversation skills are developed through a combination of in class discussions, group work, language lab exercises and grammar theory. For more information contact Val LeBlanc, Program Manager at 905-561-6093.

CPF National : contains resources for parents, students and educators, on-line dictionary and verb conjugation, CPF database and publications, list of French software, links to all Provincial CPF branches

CPF Ontario : contains information about upcoming events, contests and activities, research including the 2001 Transportation Study, school year and summer opportunities for students, links to all CPF Ontario Chapters

The Canadian Encyclopedia : Available on-line in both English and French

Asterix : The official site (in French) for the Asterix comic books by Goscinny and Uderzo. "The year is 50 BC Gaul is entirely occupied by the Romans...Well not entirely..."

CBC Radio Canada : The Kid's section of CBC offers a huge selection of games, contests and postcards to send to your French Immersion pals.

Goethe : One hundred on-line French vocubulary tests. Fun for Grades 3 and up. The kids will enjoy beating your score!

Canadian Books : A bibliography of Canadian books presented at a workshop entitled "Good Books for French Immersion" sponsored by the Canadian School Library Association at the Canadian Library Association annual conference in Ottawa in June 1990.

On-Line Translation : Google Language Tools lets you type in a paragraph of text at a time.

(If you need to write characters with accents you can use the "Character Map" tool. (Start/All Programs/ Accessories/System Tools/Character Map - Set the font to Courier - If you double click a character, it will appear in the "Characters to copy" field - Click the Copy button -Paste the character into the Google Translation Tool - Clear the "Characters to copy" field - Repeat process to obtain more characters)

Summer in French

There are additional opportunities for your child to use their French skills in the summer.

French Stories for Pre-school Kids
A three-week program of stories, songs and activities for newborns to six-year-old children and their parents/caregivers at the Westdale Library branch.
Wednesday July 13, 20, 27 2005 10:30 - 11:30 am
Registration required by phone or in person 905 546 3456

Summer Reading Program for Kids: Try it in French!
If you are in school and reading on your own then join the Summer Readers (Ages 6-12). To register, read a book and go to a local Hamilton Public library branch and tell them about it. Read 12 books during the summer and collect great prizes. Kids can read French books too -it's a great way to keep up their skills.
Going on a Trip? Going to Camp? Your children can still be a member of the library's summer reading club. They can read books over the summer and use the library's book review form to track their progress. Simply download copies to take with you, complete them as you read and take them to your local library branch when you come home.

Teen Summer Reading: Try it in French!
Every time you read an English or French book fill out an entry ballot and let the library know what you thought. Drop off your reviews at any Hamilton Public Library branch. The more you read the more you win: 1 Book: Tiger-Cats Prize Pack including a ticket for a Ticats home game, 2 passes for a McMaster Marauders games and 2 free passes for the Football Hall of Fame
3 Books: Voucher for a Behind the Scenes Tour at the Hamilton Spectator
6 Books: A coupon for Up to $5 off your library fines & your choice of a food coupon (McDonald's ice cream, Little Caesar's Bread, Starbucks hot chocolate, 7-Eleven Slurpee)

Oakville Galleries Summer Camp
Art camps are held in English and French and offer a balance between indoor and outdoor art making and recreational activities. Though the focus is on contemporary art, traditional methods and media are also explored. Groups are limited to 15 children and are supervised by two art instructors.
Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Oakville Galleries in Gairloch Gardens, 1306 Lakeshore Road
$200 per week / $170 with family membership www.oakvillegalleries.com For more information or to register call 905-844-4402

Using French - Make it a Summer Game
Click on the picture of the sun to the right and print out the attached pages (pdf).
Use them each week to encourage your child to:
" Read a French book or magazine for 20 minutes
" Watch French television for ½ hour
" Play a French video or board game for ½ hour
" Surf the internet in French for ½ hour
" Talk to a friend on the phone in French for 15 minutes

Your child can redeem each week's completed chart for a treat of your choice
(trip for ice cream, movie ticket etc.)