Paris: City of Light (Grades K-5)

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Paris has long been considered one of the world’s most historically important cities and is also packed with iconic images. Explore the unforgettable buildings that took centuries to complete, such as Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the Arc de Triomphe. Students will gain insights into the reasons why Paris’ significance is so timeless.

Video length: 15:02 minutes.

Learning Resources with this Video*

Quizzes – PDF & Online

If I Went To Paris

Draw A Scene – Paris: City Of Light

Country Report – France

My Own Stained Glass Window

Universal Resources

National Standards

*Links are active on Full Video page.

Classroom Ideas 

Paris: City Of Light

Mapping

Have students print out a map of Paris and identify where the sites in the video are located.

 

Build the Eiffel Tower

Use various craft materials to build a model of the Eiffel Tower. Discuss how a model is a smaller version of a large structure.

 

Become "The Thinker"

Ask students to pretend that they are “The Thinker” in the famous statue. Prompt students to write about what he is possibly thinking about.

 

Labeling

Label items in the classroom in French.

 

Independence Day around the World

Compare/contrast celebrations such as Bastille Day (France) and National Revolution Day (Cuba). Explore the similarities and differences between Independence Day traditions in America and other celebrations around the world. 

 

Music

Listen to music from France.

 

Country Report

Have students write a report about France including: landmarks, population, how it is similar to the United States, history (how it came to be), type of government, economy, famous sites, architecture, interesting facts, languages spoken, food, etc.

 

If I Went to Paris...

Students create a list/powerpoint of their top five notable sites that they would like to visit and explain why. 

Explore the French Language

Create a T-chart with English words in one column, and French words in the other column. Compare/contrast words that are similar (bleu/blue) and words that are different (pomme/apple).

 

Greetings Around the World

Explore different ways to greet people across various cultures (Bonjour  in France, bowing in Japan, Hola  in Cuba, etc.).

 

International Landmark Geometry

Identify geometric shapes found in the famous structures such as the Louvre Pyramid in France and the Tower of Westminster in London. Create structures using various geometric shapes (toothpick tower, etc.)

 

French Cuisine

Explore signature foods from France. 

Create a recipe for a dish seen in the video from the country/city (uses fractions, measurements, + directions).

 

Stained Glass Art

Create stained glass art inspired by the windows from the Notre Dame Cathedral.

 

Art History

Recreate famous pieces of art from France, e.g. the Mona Lisa. 

Local Festivals

Have students research French festivals at the local, state, and national levels. 

 

Creative Writing

Write a story with Paris as the setting. The main character could be from another country (compare and contrast characters). 

 

Classroom Ideas for ALL Videos

Here are dozens and dozens of ideas that you can use in your classroom along with our videos!

Topics Covered In This Video

Location & facts about Paris

Eiffel Tower

Trocadero

Champ-de-Mars

Hôtel Des Invalides

National Assembly

Musée D’Orsay

Luxembourg Gardens

Conciergerie

Latin Quarter

The Panthéon

Paris Mosque

Notre Dame Cathedral

Pompidou Centre

Louvre Museum

Tuileries Gardens

Place Vendôme

Palais Garnier

Place de la Concorde

Grand Palais/Petit Palais

Champs Élysées

Arc de Triomphe

Montmartre

Palace of Versailles

Famous bridges over the Seine

Celebrations

Parisian daily life & lifestyle

Videos in this Series

Paris: City of Light (Grades 6-12)

Paris - La Ville Lumiere (French)

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