Original PromptCreate a packet like this: ALPHONSE DAUDET’S
ENGLISH II
TUTORIAL
STANDARD: RL.9-10.6
I started for school very late that morning and was in great dread of a
scolding, especially because M. Hamel had said that he would question us on
participles, and I did not know the first word about them. For a moment I
thought of running away and spending the day out of doors. It was so warm,
so bright! The birds were chirping at the edge of the woods; and in the open
field back of the saw-mill the Prussian...
This resource focuses on 'The Last Lesson: A Story of Alsace,' which tells the poignant story of a young boy named Franz experiencing the final lesson taught in his hometown school before the German government mandates the teaching of only German. The lesson serves not only as an educational moment but as a profound illustration of cultural loss amidst political upheaval—the Franco-Prussian War and its consequences for the French inhabitants of Alsace. Students analyze the narrator's point of view to understand the emotional depth and historical significance of the story, as well as the impact of enforced language changes on identity and education. Key discussion points include the feeling of nostalgia for lost culture, the urgency of learning, and the sense of regret for not valuing one's heritage sooner. Learning activities may involve critical thinking about the themes of loss, identity, and the personal implications of historical events.