Lesson Plans
Meaghan McCauley
Week of September 8th, 2008

Monday-Friday: 48-minute classes.

Objectives:
1) Review previous historical topics to refresh student memories.
2) Introduce Unit 1.
3) List different types of government.
4) Define and analyze reasons for absolute monarchies.
5) Explore weaknesses in the Spanish empire.
6) Examine Louis XIV’s lifestyle and policies.

Essential Question:
The time period from 1500-1815+ was a turning point in world history. What new ideas and accompanying major political and economic changes were characteristic of this revolutionary era?

Departmental Focus Questions:
1) What steps did monarchs take to secure greater power?
2) How did Spanish culture flourish under the “Century of Gold”?
3) What problems lay beneath Spain’s greatness?
4) What actions did absolute monarchs take to increase their power?
5) What benefits might absolute monarchs hope to gain by increasing their countries’ territory?
6) What influence did Louis XIV have on the theory and practice of the “divine right of kings”?

Monday:
1) Continuation of “History So Far” Presentation.
2) The Last Word: What topic do you remember most and why?
Homework:
1) None.

Tuesday:
1) Warm Up: Hand out textbooks/textbook inventory. Student Cards.
2) Notetaking Activity: Different Forms of Government.
3) The Last Word: What type of government do you think works best?
Homework:
1) None.

Wednesday:
1) Warm Up: P.L.A.N. of Chapter 21, Section 1, “Spain’s Empire and European Absolutism,” #1-4.
2) During Reading: Interpreting Maps Activity.
3) Read and Complete Section Assessment for Chapter 21, Section 1, #1-4.
4) The Last Word: Cause and Effect Mapping-Spain’s Economic Decline.
Homework:
1) Finish Section Assessment for Chapter 21, Section 1, #1-4 and adjoining activities.

Thursday:
1) Focus Question: Please give one reason for Spain’s decline.
2) Rating Rulers as Absolute Monarchs-Philip II
3) The Last Word: Do you think most people like being told what to do? If not, then why were there so many absolute monarchs?
Homework:
1) Read and Complete Section Assessment for Chapter 21, Section 2, “France’s Ultimate Monarch”, #1-4.

Friday:
1) Focus Question: Name one way in which Louis XIV fits the definition of an absolute monarch.
2) Virtual Tour of Versailles.
3) The Last Word: If you were a peasant, how would you feel about Versailles?
Homework:
1) None.