10 Creative Ways to use Color by Code in French Class

Need a few minutes at the start of class? Hand students a Color by Code as soon as they walk in or have it waiting on their desks. It sets a calm tone, reviews vocabulary right away, and buys you a few minutes to take attendance, listen to morning announcements, or handle admin tasks. 

Turn a Color by Code worksheet into an instant classroom game. Students work in pairs: one calls out the numbers or words, the other colors. Switch roles halfway through! It turns a solo activity into listening and speaking practice. 

Even if you don't set this up as a partner activity, I find that these Color by Codes natually spark conversation among my students.

These activities are perfect for small group rotations. Color by Code is self-explanatory, which means students won't need your help getting started. With students engaged and working independently, you are free to focus on guided practice with another group.  

Assign Color by Code as a light homework task. Parents see what students are learning, and kids get extra exposure without a heavy workload.   Students will love talking to their parents about the bright images and might even teach them a few words in French! 

Tip: My students LOVE doing these for EXTRA CREDIT!

Low-prep and high-engagement = the ideal sub activity. If you are unexpectedly absent from school, Color by Codes are always a safe option to provide for a sub or supply teacher. Leave copies in your sub folder and know students will stay busy with something productive. 

Show off student work! Post completed pages for an instant bulletin board tied to the season. Students feel proud, and your classroom looks festive. I love hanging these in the hallway just outside my classroom.  I love how students who aren't taking French start asking me questions about my class!

Collect and scan quickly: Who knows their numbers? Who struggles with vocabulary? It’s a colorful way to check comprehension without a formal quiz.  You can walk around the room or scan the pages after you collect them.  It's easy to see if the picture is colored correctly without having to scrutinize answers.

Make connections to math (skip counting, addition), art (color mixing), or even science themes. Students love when subjects overlap. You might have them count by tens in French while coloring, or compare the color wheel to reinforce vocabulary for shades and tints. In science units, tie in animals, habitats, or seasonal changes by choosing themed pages that match your content. These cross-curricular links help students see French as part of their whole learning experience, not just a stand-alone subject.

After a test or heavy lesson, let students reset with Color by Code. This quick brain break gives them a chance to recharge without losing instructional time. The structured coloring keeps the room calm, while the built-in language practice ensures the activity stays purposeful. Many teachers find it’s the perfect transition before moving into a new unit or wrapping up the day.