~ French Icons ~
~ Quels symboles représentent La France pour vous? ~

A WebQuest on the Essential Learning of Identity
Developed for Year 8 French Students at Adelaide High School

| L'Introduction | La Tache | La Méthode |
| Les Ressources | L’Évaluation | La Conclusion |

What is an Icon ?
(1). The pictorial illustration of a subject.
(2). Something which is common to the everyday life of the people of a country and which the people of that country identify with.
(3). Something which people of other countries recognise as being symbolic of a specific country.

Introduction
When you think of France and the French people, what icons or images immediately come to mind ? What aspects of the French people and way of life do you or other foreigners identify with?

This assignemnt wil endeavour to show you that a lot can be learnt about the Identity, culture and way of life of the French people from those symbols which we identify with France.

La Tache
Each member of the class will propose then research 2 aspects of French culture which they find most easily identifiable with their impressions of France. For each aspect they will prepare a PowerPoint slide which will form part of a class “French Icons” presentation.

La Méthode
1. We will initially look at and discuss some “Aussie Icons” to ensure that everyone understands the icon concept.

2. Consider the following areas of France and French culture. Think of 2 icons or images which immediately come to mind when you think about France. If you can’t think of something ask a family member or teacher what comes to mind when they think of France.

• Food
• Tourist attractions
• Buildings
• People
• Sports
• Products/industries
• Clothing
• Children's pastimes / interests

Each student must research different icons.

3. As a group we will look at the “Information Process” and Search Strategies so that students make effective use of their time. You will find links to the “Information Process” below in the Resources section.

4. Using resources such as the Internet, books and brochures, conduct research on each of your 2 icons. You must be able to write a few sentences justifying the inclusion of your icons in the “French Icons” list.

5. Create a PowerPoint slide for each icon. The slides must include the following elements:

• Name of the icon in French and English
• A picture of the icon
• A few sentences (about 4) IN YOUR OWN WORDS explaining:
  a) What the icon is
  b) Its importance to the French people and French Culture
  c) The reason you have included it in the list

** These are the only elements required: do not waste time on backgrounds or interactive text.
Keep your slides simple.

5. When you present your icons to the class you must be able speak about them WITHOUT reading the information off the slides. Prepare a brief oral presentation where you explain each of your icons.

6. When all of the slides are complete they will be put into one PowerPoint presentation which the class will view. Whilst viewing the presentation you must answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1. Which French icons were already familiar to you?
2. Where had you come across them previously?
3. Apart from the 2 slides you created, justify the inclusion of four other icons in the list. Your responses must be in your own words and present your personal opinion.
4. Are there any icons which you feel don’t belong in the list? Explain your opinions.
5. List your “Top 10 Icons” from the list provided by the class. Explain why you have chosen these 10. Why are they the most important to you?

Les Ressources

Resources on France in the Non Fiction collection of the Resource Centre can be found at 914.4.
Don't forget to use the Reference Collection - much of the relevant information can be found there.

L’Évaluation
Your work will be assessed using the following Assessment Rubric.

La Conclusion
Now that your classmates have shown you a number of aspects of French culture do you feel you know more about France, the French people and the French way of life ? Hopefully the exercise also showed you that different countries have different "personalities" - compare the icons of Australia with those of France! - and that those symbols or icons that we recognise as being representative of a country are a good starting point for learning about the Identity of the people of that country.