Cahier de Textes: What It Is and a Free Editable Word Template
In French-speaking schools, the cahier de textes — the “lesson log” — is the running record of what was taught in each lesson and what homework was set. It’s not optional admin: historically it’s an official document, the reference everyone turns to when a student was absent, a substitute takes the class, or a parent asks what’s been covered. The Cahier de Textes Word Template gives you an editable .docx version, and this guide explains what belongs on it and why it’s worth keeping well.
What it’s for
A cahier de textes does three jobs at once:
- Continuity — an absent student (or a covering teacher) can see exactly what was done and what’s due.
- Transparency — parents and the school can see the content actually delivered against the plan.
- A record — it’s the dated, official trace of the course as it was taught, lesson by lesson.
Because it’s revisited constantly, the value is in keeping it consistent and current, not elaborate.
What goes in it
A typical cahier de textes is a dated table:
| Column | Holds |
|---|---|
| Date (and session) | When the lesson happened |
| Contenu / travail fait | What was taught and done in class |
| Devoirs / travail à faire | Homework set, with its due date |
Keep the entries concrete — “Read pp. 24–26, exercises 1–3 for Thursday” is more useful to an absent student than “worked on chapter 2”. The clearer the homework column, the fewer “I didn’t know what was due” conversations.
Cahier de textes vs fiche de suivi
They’re easy to confuse but do different jobs: the cahier de textes records the lesson (content and homework for the whole class), while the fiche de suivi follows a student (their individual progress or behaviour over time). Many teachers keep both — one for the course, one for the children who need closer tracking.
Why an editable Word template
You can type each lesson’s entry straight in for a clean digital log, adjust the columns to your subject, and keep the whole term in one file. The .docx opens in Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice, and Pages, and it’s generated in your browser, so the record stays on your device. Print it for a paper cahier, or maintain it digitally.
How to make one
- Open the Cahier de Textes Word Template and set the columns and rows you want.
- Download the
.docxand add a dated entry after each lesson. - Keep the homework column specific, with due dates.
- For tracking individual students alongside the course, pair it with the fiche de suivi.
FAQ
What is a cahier de textes?
It’s the French school “lesson log”: a dated record of what each lesson covered and what homework was set, used as the official reference for the course and for anyone who missed a class.
What’s the difference between a cahier de textes and a cahier journal?
The cahier de textes records the lessons taught and homework for the class; the cahier journal is the teacher’s own day-to-day planning and reflection. One faces the class and parents, the other is the teacher’s working diary.
How is it different from a fiche de suivi?
The cahier de textes is about the lesson (content + homework for everyone); the fiche de suivi is about an individual student’s progress over time. They complement each other.
Can I keep it digitally?
Yes — it’s an editable Word .docx, so you can type entries in and keep the term in one file, or print it for a paper version. It opens in Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice, and Pages.
What should the homework column say?
Be specific: the exact pages or exercises and the due date. Concrete entries are what make the log useful to absent students and parents.
Keeping a lesson log for your class? Use the Cahier de Textes Word Template, add a dated entry after every lesson with clear homework and due dates, and you’ll have the one reference that answers “what did we do, and what’s due?” all term.