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So you have adopted a herd of homeless Escargots.
What next?
Most of these Bonnes Idées have been used and/or invented by 
our "Escargot Profs" - those using Adopt an Escargot.
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^{BEFORE ADOPTION DAY:}
Quelques bonnes idées:
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DEMANDE  D'ADOPTION
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One of our Escargot Profs has shared this application
to become an adoptive Escargot parent, or a

Demande d'Adoption d'un Escargot

We fully agree that it is essential that students be ready
to take on this very serious responsibility.
This "Demande" examines the depth of commitment
that lies ahead. Here's a printable pdf of La Demande.
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"ADOPTER UN ESCARGOT"
VIDEO

A lovely video to be shown in anticipation of adopting un petit Escargot
was created by Prof de Français Laura Stump.
(La Souche Productions)

Voici le lien.
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DETAILED ADOPTION PROCESS

As a surprise to kick off National French Week, I bought
little baby favor boxes at the Dollar Tree and had each student's Escargot
in the box along with the profile.
I had placed each Escargot with a student according to an application that I
had them fill out during the previous class. The application included what they
liked to do, favorite foods, etc. (I pretty much asked the students for the same
information that was included in the profiles for the Escargots.)
After I handed them out, I had them write out what they thought was in the box.
(I had given them series of hints in previous days.)
They then opened their boxes and decided on a name for their Escargot.
They had to introduce their Escargots to the class.

I told them that right now, they are only foster parents. Their first project was to
introduce their Escargot to teachers, staff and administrators in the building. I had
e-mailed my colleagues at school and asked them to participate several days before
the Escargots reached the hands of the students.
The response was great! The Escargots became regular faculty lunchroom
conversation! Each of my colleagues who agreed to help is worth a set number
of points depending upon the difficulty of the task. They had to get at least 60
points in order to formally adopt the Escargots. They even could get extra
credit for getting a photo with the other teachers/staff members along with their Escargots.

We will soon have the official adoption ceremony with a real judge officiating!
One teacher's husband is a judge and he has agreed to administer the Oath of Escargot.
The principal will hand out the certificates and one colleague who has adopted children
is going to be the witness who will give them their baby books. Another staff member
has agreed to photograph the official adoption.

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"My principal or my assistant principal came into each class
to act as the adoption agent. They presented the students with their certificates,
the bios, the baby books, etc, then had the students recite the Oath of Escargot.
To get ready for it, they had to fill out an adoption application
and bring some kind of home for them so they wouldn't get lost."
 
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OATH OF ESCARGOT
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The following was sent by another of our Escargot Profs.
It is en anglais, so that the principal and some parents
could be included in the Adoption Ceremony.
(By "parents," we mean parents of the students  who are the parents of the Escargots;
so really, we should call them "grandparents.")
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The OATH OF ESCARGOT
may be administered by a principal, counselor, etc.:
 
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"I, ______________________ (name of student/adoptive parent) ,
swear to take full responsibility for the
Escargot named ____________________,
to provide him/her with safe housing, adequate clothing and
educational opportunities.
I further pledge to participate in class activities and keep in
regular contact with Le Grand Escargot
so that  _________________  (name of Escargot)
may stay connected with his/her culture and heritage.
I also swear to never spill salt or eat shrimp, lobster, or crab
in the presence of my Escargot."
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When my students said the OATH OF ESCARGOT,
they had to put their right hand on a copy of a
French-English Dictionary
as they took the oath.
We had a photographer capture the moment.
A group shot of all students with their new "bundles" was
sent to our new penpals.

Mme Wood (Michigan) a crée des biscuits pour chaque Escargot:

 .W

Ses élèves les ont reçus pour célébrer les adoptions.
Avant l'arrivée de ces Escargots, les élèves ont crée leur Escargotville:

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One of our Escargot Profs, Mlle Sylvester (New York) sent photos of their adoption-ready Escargots.
There are even some (quelle surprise!) jumeaux!

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Et M. Haun nous a envoyés une photo des Escargots qui étaient prêts pour leur adoption:



Heureusement, ils ont trouvé de bons parents dans le Maryland.

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"J'ai annoncé que leurs bébés sont arrivés et je leur ai donné leur petit Escargot
avec l'explication de sa personalité.

Il y avait des personnes qui ont dit, "Mais non!  Je voudrais avoir un fils, pas une fille"
et une ou deux autres qui ont dit, "Je veux en avoir un avec une personalité différente"

J'ai arrêté la class.

Je leur ai dit:  "C'est possible que quand vous avez un vrai bébé,
vous ne recevrez pas ce que vous avez imaginé;
peut-être à cause de sa personalité,
peut-être à cause de quelque chose d'autre.
Vous avez été choisi d'avoir ce ou cette bébé en particulier pour l'accepter,
pour trouver le bon,
pour le guider,
pour l'aimer,
car vous serez son seul papa ou sa seule maman.
Ils dépendent sur vous!
Devenez fier de leur bons traits et soyez de bons parents.
Les parents que vous avez vous-mêmes ou que vous voudriez avoir.

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SIGNS IN HALLWAY
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"This year I put posters up in the hallways that read:
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"ESCARGOTVILLE  50 km"

"ESCARGOTVILLE 20 km"
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...and so on with arrows leading to the French room
and a big sign above the door that says
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"ESCARGOTVILLE"
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I've found that gets everyone interested in what in the world
we're doing in that classroom!

It was also quite an experience to see the superintendent
attempt to speak French this morning....
it really got the attention of my students!
I put the bébés in the basket, which she delivered to us.
I find that I'm excited about the project as well,
and don't all teachers need a little boost this time of year!?
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MORE SIGNS IN HALLWAY:
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"Sauvons les Escargots du génocide gastronomique!
Adoptez un Escargot!"
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"Sauvez l'Escargot!"
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Escargotville: The students have so much fun making their houses.
For one very large class we went with apartments. It's fun to watch the students
consider the likes and dislikes (and fears!) in making their houses. One
student made his Escargot's maison in a bowl because his Escargot
was afraid of corners.

 
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MORE IDEAS FOR GOOD BEGINNINGS:
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The assignment for today was to pick out 2 names - one for a girl
and one for a boy, because at the adoption ceremony
"you will have to give the name immediately."
When is it?
"That depends on when the babies arrive from France"... etc.
Some of the names are terrific. Of course this was all in French...
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Wait till they get called to the main office tomorrow!
The principal will do the official adoptions,
calling the students down to sign the certificates... What a riot!
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When I told the class we would have a special guest to present their
Escargots at a ceremony, they decided to celebrate by planning (en français)
 what each student would bring for the occasion.
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The principal exhorted each student to be a good parent and
made them swear to it. She also made each one translate
the personality profile for her...
My students have almost all made homes and we have started our
ESCARGOTVILLE.
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"Escargotville est devenue trop grande. Nous avons fait une autre ville:
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ST. ESCARGOT
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Les Escargots sont très heureux!"

ENCORE DE BONNES IDÉES
CONTINUONS
PAR ICI
 
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©2020 ADOPT AN ESCARGOT