European Geography & Cultures Lesson Plan 13 ~ France

This post is part of the European Geography and Cultures Series. Please the Introductory Post for a list of countries covered with links to all of the blog posts of this series.

This is a Geography Lesson Plan for France.

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I am an affiliate of Amazon, and will receive a small commission if a link on this page is used to make a purchase.

You can download this lesson plan (including checklists) as a PDF file. Click on the thumbnail below and open the PDF file in Adobe Reader to read and print. If you open in a browser window, the text may be garbled. You may share this online and use the image above without permission, but please have all links point to this blog post, not to the PDF file. Thanks!

Introduction to France

Read

Galloping the Globe page 73
France (A to Z) (The images in the PDF file provided below and my sample cards are based on this book.)
Children Just Like Me page 32

Map Folders and Stamp Albums (Follow General Instructions.)

Pass out Folders and Stamp Albums.
Pass out postage stamps from the France and stamp hinges.

Physical Geography of France

Where on Earth?

Find the continent of Europe and the country of France on a globe. Have students color France on the map on their folder.
Find Europe and France in the Atlas: start on page 76 of Where on Earth? Atlas, then find the country on page 78. Move on to page 80 to view the landscape, and to page 94 to see it by night.

Land, Climate, Population and Wildlife

Visit https://www.weatheronline.co.uk/reports/climate/France.htm for more information on France’s climate.
To find out about animals living in France visit https://about-france.com/wildlife/wildlife.htm.
Read page 54 – 55 of the DK Children’s World Atlas about France. Find out about agricultural products, major landforms, and water bodies.

Card File (Follow General Card File Instructions.)

Listen to Around the World Stories from France while working (subscription required).
Flag and Map Country Cover Card PDF File (see below)
Country Information Card PDF File (see below)
Category Cards – plain index cards or pre-printed PDF File (you may want to provide samples for students to copy)
Images PDF File for Category Cards (see below)

PDF Files to Download for Card File

Click on the thumbnails below and open the PDF files in Adobe Reader to read and print. If you open in a browser window, the text may be garbled. You may share this online and use the images above without permission, but please have all links point to this blog post, not to the PDF file. Thanks!

People

Choose the activities that interest you the most. Add to your Card File as you learn new things and complete activities. Listen to related music and/or stories while doing projects if possible.

1. Artists

* Claude Monet * Paul Cezanne * Henri Matisse * Edgar Degas

Read
Where in the World? Around the Globe in 13 Works of Art. Read about Gustave Caillebotte on page 20 and look at his painting on page 18.
Look at French art on the internet or in a library book.
Watch Monet for Children.
Watch A History of Degas for Kids.
Paint a picture inspired by a French artist.
Make Matisse-Inspired Cut Out Art (click on link and scroll down to near the bottom of the page for free printable templates). My and I daughter really enjoyed this project.

2. Authors & Poets

* Victor Hugo * Emile Zola * Jean de la Fontaine * Moliere * Alexandre Dumas

Read or listen to a French story or poem (list on page 74 of Galloping the Globe).
Watch a movie based on a French story.
Listen to The Three Musketeers audio by Jim Weiss.

3. Composers

* Claude Debussy * Hector Berlioz

Listen to the Story of Berlioz in Words and Music (VOX Music Masters CD)

4. Prominent People

* Joan of Arc * Louis Bleriot * Louis XVI * Marie Antoinette

Read or listen to a story about Joan of Arc.
Read The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel with Louis Bleriot.
Read or listen to a story about Marie Antoinette or the French Revolution.

5. Scientists

* Louis Pasteur * Blaise Pascal * Nicholas Leblanc

Read or listen to a story about a French scientist.
Do an experiment.
Do crossword puzzle on page 78 of Galloping the Globe.
Make soap: http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2010/11/expedition-earth-france-activity.html or http://science.jrank.org/pages/6209/Soap-history-soap.html

Places & Food

Choose the activities that interest you the most. Add to your Card File as you learn new things and complete activities.

1. Landmarks & Attractions

* Eiffel Tower * Notre-Dame * Arc de Triomphe * Palais des Papes * Chartres Cathedral * The Louvre * Palace of Versailles

Take a Virtual Tour of the Louvre: https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne
Make a Mini Paper City of Paris: http://madebyjoel.com/2012/01/travel-size-paper-city-paris.html
Build a LEGO Eiffel Tower: http://inspirationlaboratories.com/build-the-eiffel-tower/

Mini Paper City made by my daughter.

2. Festivals and Events

* Tour de France * Bastille Day * Lavender Festival

Watch a Tour de France event on YouTube.
Watch a Bastille Day Parade on YouTube.
Make a Bastille Day Collage: https://www.realcoake.com/bastille-day-activities-for-kids/.
Plant lavender seeds.

3. Food

Read page 40 – 42 of Eat Your Way Around the World Cookbook.
Make Onion Soup, Tomatoes, Bread.
Make crepes – see a recipe similar to the one I used here (it does not require the batter to sit – you can mix it up and use it right away). I made these with my daughter and nieces, and they loved making their own crepes! For our fillings we used fresh strawberries and fresh whipped cream. For the topping, a few more strawberries and “canned” whipped cream. Yum!!!

Find more ideas on my France Pinterest Board!

Checklists

Checklist for Basic Materials:

- - - Globe
    - Galloping the Globe
    - Children Just Like Me
    - DK Where On Earth? Atlas
    - DK Children’s World Atlas
    - France (A to Z) (or similar book)
    - Map Folders, Stamp Albums, Stamps & Hinges
    - Card File materials including printed PDF files (see general instructions)
    - Music and/or Story CDs
    - Stories from France by https://www.aroundtheworldstories.com
    - iPad or Computer with internet connection for research (optional)

Checklist for Projects:

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Checklist for International Food Dishes:

- - - - Eat Your Way Around the World Cookbook or French Recipes
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Please comment below with your questions and suggestions – I will respond as soon as I can! Thank you for visiting Cotton Ridge Homeschool!