Grade Level: High School
Duration: 3 class periods (180 minutes total)
Bloom’s Taxonomy Levels: Identify, Understand, Analyze, Evaluate
 
Description:
Bring the French Revolution to life with this comprehensive lesson plan! This engaging activity introduces students to the key events, causes, and consequences of the French Revolution, culminating in an interactive mock trial of Marie Antoinette. Students will analyze historical evidence, connect revolutionary events, and evaluate the queen’s guilt or innocence through primary sources. With differentiated materials, guided reading notes, and extension opportunities, this lesson is designed to support a range of learners while deepening understanding of one of history’s most pivotal moments.
 
What’s Included:
Printable version of the History Cat article: “French Revolution Part 1” for classroom use.
Read & Reflect questions: For students on or above grade level to analyze and reflect on the article.
Guided Reading Notes: Scaffolded activities designed for emerging readers, focusing on 80% fill-in-the-blank questions and 20% open-ended prompts.
Cause and Effect Activity: Helps students map connections between revolutionary events and their outcomes.
Mock Trial of Marie Antoinette: Students examine primary source evidence to determine her guilt or innocence on three charges.
Answer Keys: Provided for all activities to streamline teacher feedback.
Detailed Student Instructions: Step-by-step directions for completing each component of the lesson.
Extension Activity Suggestions: Ideas to further explore the French Revolution through creative and critical projects.
Modifications for Diverse Learners: Tailored strategies to adapt activities for a variety of learning needs.
 
Skills Developed:
Analysis of primary and secondary sources
Understanding cause-and-effect relationships in history
Critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning
Collaborative problem-solving and group discussion
Build empathy and historical perspective
 
Perfect For:
Social studies or history units on the French Revolution
Lessons exploring justice, equality, and governance
Teachers seeking an inclusive, engaging, and flexible approach to teaching historical events