Level 1 · Unit 1 · Lesson 09

Classroom Items — J'ai un/une…

Today's goal: name 8 classroom items in French, use un or une correctly with each one, and combine items with colours from Lesson 08.

Paper first → Screen repeat 8 Audio · 8 Match · 2 Sort · 6 Build · 8 Quiz · 4 Write Key pattern: J'ai un ___ et une ___.
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Word bank

  • un crayon = a pencil
  • une règle = a ruler
  • un livre = a book
  • un stylo = a pen
  • une gomme = an eraser
  • un cartable = a school bag
  • une trousse = a pencil case
  • une feuille = a sheet of paper

Look at your bag right now. How many of these do you have? Say J'ai un/une ___ for each one.

The un / une rule — learn it today

un (masculine)
  • un crayon pencil
  • un livre book
  • un stylo pen
  • un cartable school bag
une (feminine)
  • une règle ruler
  • une gomme eraser
  • une trousse pencil case
  • une feuille sheet of paper

There is no rule for guessing gender — you learn un or une with every new noun, for life. That is why the word bank always shows the article.

Warm-Up

Do this on paper before anything else.

Write on paper

  1. Copy the full word bank — article + noun + English meaning — twice each.
  2. Cover the English and write what each item means from memory.
  3. Write J'ai un crayon et une règle. — 3 times.
  4. Write J'ai une trousse et un stylo. — 3 times.
  5. Now add a colour: J'ai un stylo noir et une règle bleue. — 2 times.

Tip: when adding a colour, remember — noir stays noir with un, but becomes noire with une.

Say it aloud

Read each sentence slowly. Then look at your bag and say a true sentence.

J'ai un crayon.
J'ai une règle.
J'ai un livre et un stylo.
J'ai une trousse et une gomme.
J'ai un _____ et une _____.

What's in the Bag?

Léo empties his school bag. Each item is labelled with its French name and article.

un crayon une règle un livre un stylo une gomme un cartable une trousse une feuille un stylo rouge + une gomme rose = C'est rouge et rose !

Practice

Print and do these on paper first. Then repeat on screen.

Match

Tap a French item, then tap its English meaning.

French
English
Score: 0/8

Sort — un or une?

Drag each item into the correct column. If you are not sure, check the word bank — the article is always shown with the noun.

un (masculine)
une (feminine)
Score: 0/8

Build the sentence

Drag the words into the correct order.

Score: 0/6

Quick Check

Choose the correct answer.

1. What is the French for a pencil case?

2. Is livre masculine or feminine?

3. Which sentence is correct?

4. You want to say "I have a blue ruler." Which is correct?

5. How do you say "a sheet of paper" in French?

6. Which group is entirely une (feminine)?

7. "J'ai un stylo noir." Which word is the colour, and does it agree correctly?

8. What is the best way to remember whether a noun is un or une?

Score: 0/8

Write it yourself

Write in French from memory. Include the correct article — un or une.

1. Write: I have a pencil.

2. Write: I have an eraser and a pen.

3. Write a pencil case in French with its correct article.

4. Write: I have a red school bag and a green pencil case.

Score: 0/4

Speaking Practice

Practise on your own while your teacher speaks with another student.

Bag check

Open your bag. For each item you find, say the full sentence out loud.

J'ai un crayon. (if you have one)
J'ai une trousse.
J'ai un livre vert.
J'ai une règle bleue.
J'ai ___ et ___.

Challenge: describe each item with a colour from Lesson 08. Remember — bleue, verte, noire, blanche with une.

Audio practice

Press Play, listen, then try to write the item you hear in your Writing Space. Include the article.

Game Time

Match each French item to its English meaning. When you find a pair, look in your bag — do you have that item? Say J'ai ___ or Je n'ai pas de ___ out loud.

Pairs: 0/8