Regal image, Deadly politics

Regal image

Procedure

• Before the lesson, make an enlarged colour transparency of the photo on page 60, or download an online picture of the "Plaque Castelli Salomon" on to a memory stick.
• Begin by asking the class whether they have any art on their walls at home.
• Display the photo. Explain that it is from the 18th century and now hangs in the Musée de Lille. Where would the class hang such a painting? Do they like it?
• Tell the class that you are going to carry out a visual test. You will dictate ten statements about the painting, some true and some false. If a student thinks that a statement is true, he/she should write it exactly as you say it. If not, he/she should amend it accordingly. For example, the teacher says: The king is barefoot. The students write any of the following: The king isn't barefoot. The king is wearing boots. The king is wearing brown shoes.
• Remove the picture from view.
• Dictate the following statements, giving time for students to write their responses: The king has a black beard (F); The king's right hand is extended (T); There are three women (F); The women are sitting (T); A man is holding a trumpet (F); The king is looking directly at us (F); There are two children (T); One child is sleeping (T); The king looks angry (F); The king is holding a sword (F).
• Allow students to compare their answers in pairs.
• Before showing the painting again, get students to convert all of their written statements into questions, e.g. Does the king have a white beard?
• Students ask their questions (refine as necessary) and you answer them.
• Show the image again. How well did the class do on the visual test?

Deadly politics

Online copy file

Deadly politics: Online copy file

Procedure

• Make copies of the text of "Wild west politics" (page 40) without the title, the picture or the word box. Download the online copy file above. Make enough copies for pairs of students in your class and cut them apart.
• Display the picture without its caption and ask some questions, e.g. Where are the people? What nationality are they? What are they discussing? Is there anything unusual about the picture?
• Organize the class into small groups. Give each student a copy of the text to read. Have the groups discuss suitable German equivalents for the underlined words, without using a dictionary.
• Give all students one vocabulary card each. Tell them to find the person whose card has the translation of what's on their own card.
• Invite comments on the text. Do your students know anyone who owns a gun? Who should be allowed to purchase a gun?
• Students can revisit the cards with a partner in the next lesson.