Topic: The Sun King

Target group

6th‑grade students of elementary school

Core curriculum

XII. Europe in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Student:

1. characterizes, on the example of France during the rule of Louis XIV, the system of absolute monarchy and lists the main features of the parliamentary monarchy, using information about the political system of England;

General aim of education

The student acquires knowledge and skills about the topics discussed in the classes

Key competences

• communication in foreign languages;

• digital competence;

• learning to learn.

Criteria for success
The student will learn:

• what the politics of the Bourbon dynasty looked like;

• who were the first ministers;

• why Louis XIV is called the Sun King;

• what became the symbol of the rule of Louis XIV.

Methods/techniques

• expository

  • talk.

• activating

  • discussion.

• programmed

  • with computer;

  • with e‑textbook.

• practical

  • exercices concerned.

Forms of work

• individual activity;

• activity in pairs;

• activity in groups;

• collective activity.

Teaching aids

• e‑textbook;

• notebook and crayons/felt‑tip pens;

• interactive whiteboard, tablets/computers.

Lesson plan overview

Introduction

1. The teacher states the subject of the lesson, explains the aim of the lesson and together with students determines the success criteria to be achieved.

2. The teacher plays the recording of the abstract. Every now and then he stops it, asking the students to tell in their own words what they have just heard. This way, students practice listening comprehension.

Realization

1. Reading the content of the abstract. The teacher uses the text for individual work or in pairs, according to the following steps: 1) a sketchy review of the text, 2) asking questions, 3) accurate reading, 4) a summary of individual parts of the text, 5) repeating the content or reading the entire text.

2. SWOT analysis. The teacher divides the class into four groups and informs that the task of each of them will be to carry out a SWOT analysis of a certain situation. The teacher asks the students whether the absolute power system was suited to the structure and needs of the French society of Louis XIV. Would the introduction of a parliamentary monarchy in France be a good solution for the country? Then he or she asks students to prepare an answer, what advantages and disadvantages would such a solution have. What chances and risks would it bring? After completing the task, the students present their analyzes and discuss them with the teacher..

3. The teacher together with the students sums up the current course of classes.

4. Students analyze the illustration and execute Task 2. To answer the question, they can use Internet sources or other publications. The teacher checks the correctness of the answer and provides feedback to the students.

5. Students in pairs solve the Exercise 1. The teacher checks if the task has been correctly completed and gives feedback to students.

6. Work of the whole class team. Students stand in a circle.
   The teacher encourages them to play: throws a ball or mascot to one of the students, saying the English word or notion learned in the lesson. The student gives the Polish equivalent, mentions another word in English and throws a ball or mascot to a friend or colleague.

Summary

1. The teacher chooses one student by random method and asks him or her to explain in own words the meaning of a given word or concept learned during the lesson.

2. The teacher asks: If there was going to be a test on the material we have covered today, what questions do you think would you have to answer?
   If the students do not manage to name all the most important questions, the teacher may complement their suggestions.

Homework

1. Listen to the abstract recording at home. Pay attention to pronunciation, accent and intonation. Learn to pronounce the words learned during the lesson.

2. Make notes using the hierarchical method so that the knowledge is arranged in an ordered way, one is based on the other..

The following terms and recordings will be used during this lesson

Terms

Texts and recordings

The Sun King

The 14th and 15th centuries saw a period of territorial unity in the French monarchy. The strengthening of the power of the monarch and a desire for total unification of French territories led to the Hundred Years War (1337–1453). This was fought between France and England and ended with the expulsion of the English from the continent. France was also where, during the Reformation, religious wars took place between Catholics and the Protestant Huguenouts, which ended when the Huguenot Henry IV took the throne. In 1598 he issued the Edict of Nantes, which allowed free admission of faith. Henry IV was the first ruler of the Bourbon dynasty.

At the turn of the 15th and 16th centures, within a united and centralised France, there began to develop an authoritarian system known as Absolutism. At this time, the First Ministers who supported the king played a special role in government. One of these was Cardinal Armand de Richelieu, who rules on behalf of King Louis XIII. His policies led to rebellion by the aristocracy, who were gradually marginalised from power. He also limited the rights of the Huguenots, leading to war breaking out, which ended with the Protestants being defeated. To strengthen France's position on the international stage, the Cardinal devoted much time to foreign policy. In alliance with Sweden, he fought against Spain and also took part in the Thirty Years War against the Hapsburgs.

Cardinal Richelieu's successor was Giulio Mazzarini, who carried on the policies of his predecessor. In the years 1648–1653 he suppressed rebellions that broke out in opposition to oppression and new taxes. After Mazzarini's death, King Louis XIV did not appoint a new First Minister and ruled himself. It was during his reign that absolutism in France reached its apogee, with these words attributed to the monarch „I am the State”. Louis XIV gained the nickname of the Sun King because he thought himself the most important person in the country. He introduced laws and passed judgements himself. He did not value the opinions of his representatives from different social strata, therefore he did not convene the Estates General (parliament).

The Palace of Versailles became the symbol for the absolute power of Louis XIV, which was his seat. The court etiquette introduced by him has become famous.

The 17th century saw France become more important on the international arena, with Paris becoming a world centre for culture and art. The development of the state had a huge impact upon art, where there was incredible momentum. This was also largely dependent on the preferences of the ruler – Louis XIV, who founded many academies devoted to the arts during his reign.