| Full lesson | Create for a teacher a set of content for giving a lesson, beginning with the lesson plan. Each new block of materials must begin with an H1 heading (other subheaders must be H2, H3, etc). When you describe required pictures, write those descriptions in curly brackets, for example: {A picture of a triangle} |
| Which subject | French as second |
| What topic | Voltaire |
| What length (min) | 30 |
| What age group | Year or Grade 11 |
| Class size | 20 |
| What curriculum | |
| Include full script | |
| Check previous homework | |
| Ask some students to presents their homework | |
| Add a physical break | |
| Add group activities | |
| Include homework | |
| Show correct answers | |
| Prepare slide templates | |
| Number of slides | 5 |
| Create fill-in cards for students | |
| Create creative backup tasks for unexpected moments |
Voltaire
Year/Grade 11
French as a Second Language
30 minutes
20 students
The lesson aligns with Canadian national curriculum standards for French, focusing on developing communication skills, critical thinking, and understanding of Canadian and global literature.
| Step Number | Step Title | Length | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | 5 mins | Introduce Voltaire! Briefly discuss his historical context, emphasizing his impact on literature and philosophy. Ask students what they know or have heard about him. |
| 2 | Vocabulary Introduction | 5 mins | Present key vocabulary words related to Voltaire’s works. Use examples and encourage students to note these down for use later in the lesson. |
| 3 | Reading Activity | 10 mins | Distribute excerpts from Voltaire’s works. Divide students into pairs to read and discuss the texts, focusing on the theme and significant ideas. |
| 4 | Printable Card Activity | 5 mins | Hand out printed cards for students to fill in during the reading activity. Instruct them to note down main ideas, themes, and personal reflections. |
| 5 | Collection and Random Check | 4 mins | Randomly collect the completed cards without requiring student presentation. Check for understanding and engagement by reviewing cards briefly as students put them away. |
| 6 | Wrap-up and Homework Assignment | 1 min | Summarize the lesson's key points. Assign homework: a short reflective piece on what they learned about Voltaire or a specific work of his. |
At the end of the lesson, students should have a clearer understanding of Voltaire’s life, his key themes, and have practiced their vocabulary in a meaningful context. The activities encourage participation while respecting individual comfort levels regarding presentation.
"Bonjour tout le monde! Today, we’re going to dive into the life and contributions of a fascinating figure in literature and philosophy—Voltaire. Can anyone tell me what they know about Voltaire? What have you heard about his life or his works?"
Wait for student responses and engage them in a brief discussion.
"Great insights! Voltaire was not only a prolific writer but also a fierce advocate for civil liberties and freedom of expression during the Enlightenment period. He used his pen to challenge societal norms and governmental authority, which undeniably shaped literature and philosophy. Let’s explore his world together!"
"Now, before we jump into our reading activity, let’s equip ourselves with some key vocabulary that will help us understand Voltaire's works better. I’ll present a few important words and phrases we’ll encounter today."
Write the vocabulary words on the whiteboard and explain each one.
“For example, the word satire refers to the use of humor, irony, or ridicule to criticize people or ideas. Please take notes on these terms as they will be important in our discussions later. Make sure you write examples we discuss alongside each term!"
"It's time for us to read some excerpts from Voltaire’s works. I will hand out a selection of texts for you to read in pairs. As you read, focus on identifying the primary themes and significant ideas present in the passages."
Distribute the excerpts and form pairs among students.
“Take about ten minutes to discuss what you have read. Make sure to share your thoughts with your partner, especially on what you think are the main ideas Voltaire is trying to convey."
"Now that you have discussed the readings, I have a small activity for you. I am handing out printed cards. On these cards, I want you to jot down the main ideas, themes, and any personal reflections you have about the text you just read."
Distribute the printed cards.
"Use this time to really reflect on what you’ve read and how it resonates with you. Take about five minutes for this activity."
“Alright, time's up! Please pass your cards to the front. I will collect them randomly without requiring presentations today.”
Collect the cards.
“I'll take a quick look to make sure everyone's understanding the material. Your thoughts are important and help me see how engaged you were with Voltaire's work. Thank you for being open with your reflections!”
"To wrap up our lesson today, let’s summarize the key points we discussed about Voltaire. Remember, he used his writings to advocate for freedom and actively criticized injustice. Think about how these themes are relevant in today’s world."
“For your homework, I would like you to write a short reflective piece on what you learned about Voltaire today or analyze a specific work of his. Please keep it to one page, focusing on either his life, his themes, or your personal thoughts about his writing.”
"That concludes our lesson! Thank you all for your participation today. I look forward to reading your reflections. Au revoir!"
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who was Voltaire and what are some key aspects of his life? | |
| What role did Voltaire play during the Enlightenment period? | |
| Can you define the term satire and give an example from Voltaire's work? | |
| What are some primary themes present in Voltaire's writings? | |
| How do Voltaire's ideas about civil liberties still resonate in today's society? | |
| What personal reflections did you have while reading the excerpts from Voltaire's works? | |
| How did Voltaire challenge societal norms and government authority through his writings? | |
| What did you learn about the use of irony in Voltaire's works? | |
| Why is understanding vocabulary important when reading complex texts like those of Voltaire? | |
| What key points would you summarize about Voltaire's influence on literature and philosophy? |