Objective
By the end of this lesson, you will have a better understanding of Les Miserables and its themes, characters, and historical context.
Materials and Prep
- Copy of Les Miserables book or access to the movie
- Pen and paper for note-taking
- Basic knowledge of the French Revolution
Activities
- Character Analysis: Choose a character from Les Miserables and create a character profile detailing their traits, motivations, and actions.
- Historical Research: Research the French Revolution and its impact on society, then discuss how it is portrayed in the book or movie.
- Music Connection: Listen to songs from Les Miserables soundtrack and analyze how the lyrics reflect the characters' emotions.
- Math Challenge: Calculate the time period between key events in the story and create a timeline to visualize the sequence of events.
- Science Exploration: Explore the themes of justice and morality in the story and discuss ethical dilemmas faced by the characters.
- Language Practice: Learn and practice useful French phrases related to the story, such as "Je suis désolé" (I am sorry) or "Merci beaucoup" (Thank you very much).
Talking Points
- English: "What is the main theme of Les Miserables?"
- History: "How does the French Revolution influence the events in the story?"
- Math: "Can you calculate the age difference between Jean Valjean and Cosette?"
- Music: "How does the music in Les Miserables enhance the storytelling?"
- Science: "What ethical decisions do characters like Jean Valjean face in the story?"
- Social Studies: "How does the social hierarchy in 19th century France impact the characters' lives?"