Areas of focus
School-based programs
French-speaking school environment
Multilingual Kamishibai
In 2024, JAME partnered with four elementary school classes to participate in the Multilingual Kamishibai Contest organized by Kamilala and Élodil Québec: afirst-grade class in Saint-Laurent, asixth-grade transition class in LaSalle, and twoupper-grade transition classes on Île-des-Sœurs.
In collaboration with the teachers, our literacy facilitators led six workshops to support the students in creating their Kamishibai. Almost all of the students involved had a first language other than French, and this project allowed them to celebrate those languages while working together to write and illustrate a story in French. Afterward, the students proudly presented their Kamishibai to other classes at their school.
Philosophical Discussion Workshops
In 2024, JAME launched a new project: philosophical discussion workshops withfifth-grade students. These workshops take place at the school and explore topics such as friendship, freedom, and power. Naturally, children’s picture books serve as an ideal medium for these discussions, where kindness and cooperation guide the group’s collective reflection.
To enable schools to continue the program on their own, JAME is developing thematic reading lists to support teachers who wish to lead their own workshops.
English-speaking school environment
For several years now, JAME has been offering bilingual reading groups to French immersion schools and schools that provide bilingual education.
Around lunchtime, JAME literacy facilitators bring books in both English and French to encouragesecond- andthird-grade students to explore and discuss the differences and similarities between them.
Reading in French becomes more accessible, and students develop comprehension strategies based on their English skills, which boosts their confidence and self-esteem.
