Movie Segments for Warm-ups and Follow-ups

This blog contains a series of movie segments to be used to brainstorm, warm up, follow up, and activate schemata, preparing the students for the topic that will be discussed in class. Here you will find the segments, the lesson plans, and varied topics to foster conversation. You may use the activities for a full two-hour class or they can be used separately to brainstorm or wrap up the topic, focusing on conversation, vocabulary and listening comprehension.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Mr. Peabody & Sherman: French Revolution, Historic Moments

I. Work with a partner. The French Revolution is one of the most important historic moment of all times. Discuss the following questions.

1. What do you know about the French Revolution?

2. Did you study about this historic moment at school? Why do you think history should be taught at school?

3. Do you like studying history? What is your favorite/most most important historic moment of all times?

4. Would you like to have lived in a period in which radical changes are taking place?

GAME:

Read the statements below and decide if they are true or false. The winner is the group with most correct answers.

1. The French Revolution took place in the 19th century.

2. France was one of the richest and most powerful nations in Europe before the French Revolution.

3. Only in Great Britain and Portugal did the common people have more freedom and less chance of arbitrary punishment.

4. A popular rebellion executed the king Louis XVI and, later, his wife Marie Antoinette.

5. Many factors led to the revolution.

6. During The American Revolutionary War. there was much contact between the Americans and the French, and revolutionary ideals spread between the groups.

7. The clergy wanted the Revolution to take place, which motivated peasants to rebel.

8. Food scarcity in the years before the revolution was crucial for the revolution

Information collected from the great site http://www.bonjourlafrance.com/france-facts/france-history/causes-of-the-french-revolution.htm

Watch the movie segment. Then work in small groups.

1. Describe the scene.

2. What features in exercise I (True or False) did you manage to see in the segment?

3. What are the characters' social importance?

4. Do you like this kind of movie? Why (not)?

5. What would you rather do? See a musical about the French Revolution, or watch similar stories as a drama, an animated movie or a comedy? Why?

Answer key:

1. The French Revolution took place in the 19th century. (F - 18th century)

2. France was one of the richest and most powerful nations in Europe before the French Revolution. (T)

3. Only in Great Britain and Portugal did the common people have more freedom and less chance of arbitrary punishment. (F - Great Britain and the Netherlands)

4. A popular rebellion executed the king Louis XVI and, later, his wife Marie Antoinette.(T)

5. Many factors led to the revolution. (T)

6. During The American Revolutionary War. there was much contact between the Americans and the French, and revolutionary ideals spread between the groups. (T)

7. The clergy wanted the Revolution to take place, which motivated peasants to rebel. (F)

8. Food scarcity in the years before the revolution was crucial for the revolution (T)

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - MR PEABODY AND SHERMAN