Question

Part 1

Read the following comptines (children's songs and poems) and choose one to memorize and act out. These well-known poems or songs can be easily found on the internet if you want to hear them spoken or sung.

Un petit lapin (view text)
Alouette (view text)
Which of these works will you memorize and perform?

Briefly explain in English what the work is about.

Write a short reflection in English on why you chose this piece.

part 2
Who is your audience?
What gestures did you use when performing? Please describe in detail.
What was the most challenging part to memorize about the song?

Answer 1

"Allouette"

This work is essentially about plucking a lark to cook and eat, this was quite common in those times. In the song, the singer or performer sings and repeats each part of the body of the lark being plucked, in order they go from the beak, eyes, head, neck, back, wings, belly, legs, and tail. I chose the song "Alouette" as it has become a symbol of French Canada for the world, an unofficial national song. Today, the song is used to teach French- and English-speaking children in Canada, and others learning French around the world, which is similar to me who is striving to learn the language.

Part 2

Audience [INSERT HERE]

The gestures I performed were that whenever I spoke a body part in French I pointed to it to make it easier for my audience to understand the song. For example, if I said "head" in French or "tête" I would put my hands on my head and act out as though I was plucking feathers from my head. What was most challenging was most likely remembering the order of when each body part was said and how many times it was said in the song.