Kelsey Kazmac

September 2014
James Madison University
Student Teaching Block 1
7th Grade World History

1. Topic and Type:
Absolutism and Enlightenment Lesson 1: Intro to Absolutism and Absolutism in France

2. Content Overview:
Unit 3: Absolutism and Enlightenment (1650-1789)
I. What was Absolutism?
A. Time period in European history when monarchs (kings and queens) had total and
absolute power
II. Absolutism in France
A. Louis XIV - absolute monarch (1643 - 1715)
1. Louis horrified by noble revolt as a child - the Fronde
2. Builds palace 20 miles from Paris called Versailles
3. Moves all nobles to Versailles in order to watch over them
4. Nicknamed the Sun King

3. SOL Information:
WHII.6 b

4. Instructional Objective(s):
Know: 1.0 Students will know the definition of Absolutism. (Remembering)
2.0 Students will know the 4 main countries affected by Absolutism and their Absolute
rulers. (Remembering)
Understand: 4.0 Students will understand how Absolutism changed the course of certain
European countries. (Understanding)
Do: 7.0 Students will be able to assess the pros and cons of Absolutism as a government
structure. (Evaluating)
8.0 Students will be able to analyze primary sources to determine the author or subjects
opinions and ideas. (Analyzing)

5. Assessment Plan:
Objectives (UKDs) Assessments: Formative Assessments: Summative
1.0 Students will define
Absolutism.
Absolutism T-chart #1, 5, 21
2.0 Students will recognize the 4
main countries affected by
Absolutism and their Absolute
rulers.
Primary source worksheet

7.0 Students will assess the pros
and cons of Absolutism as a
government structure.
Absolutism T-chart



Objectives (UKDs) Assessments: Formative Assessments: Summative
8.0 Students will be able to
analyze primary sources to
determine the author or
subjects opinions and ideas.
Primary source worksheet



6. Materials:
Primary source reading worksheet, Powerpoint


7. Hook/Warm Up/Set Induction:
Opinion question: If you had absolute power over the school, what would you change?
Allows students to think about their own ideas and formulate opinions that will frame the
content.

8. Closure:
Exit card: 1. What is the definition of absolutism? 2. What are two facts about Louis XVIs time
as an absolute ruler? 3. Any questions?.
Checks for understanding, allows students to ask questions to be answered during the next
lesson.

9. Lesson Body and Sequence:
Time Teacher Actions Student Actions
10:00 Hook: Teacher asks question If
you had absolute (total,
complete) power over the school,
what would you change? Would
this be fair?
Students will discuss question in
pairs, then share answers with
class.
5:00 Teacher delivers lecture: Intro to
Absolutism
Students take notes in outline
form and answer questions along
the way.
10:00 Teacher explains T-chart:
Positives and Negatives of
Absolutism. After students work
individually, teacher writes
answers on board. Emphasis on
the unfairness of Absolutism.
Students do T-chart individually,
then share answers with class.
10:00 Teacher delivers lecture:
Absolutism in France.
Students take notes in outline
form and answer questions along
the way.
5:00 Teacher shows video: Versailles
3D.
Students watch video and take
notes.


Time Teacher Actions Student Actions
5:00 Teacher finishes lecture:
Absolutism in France.
Students take notes in outline
form and answer questions along
the way.
15:00 Teacher distributes and explains
primary source: Louis XIV's letter
to his son.
Students read primary source
and answer questions.
10:00 Teacher reviews primary source
questions and leads discussion
about the primary source.
Students answer questions and
engage in discussion about
primary source.
5:00
Teacher distributes and
explains exit card: 1. What
is the definition of
absolutism? 2. What are
two facts about Louis XIVs
time as an absolute ruler?
3. Any questions?

Students answer exit card.


10. Diversity Plan:
Student Characteristic Strategy
Visually-impaired (cannot see board) Notes will be printed out and given to visually-
impaired students. Majority of class not spent on
board work.
ADHD Lecture broken up by videos and activities