Black M, a French hip-hop artist, was told he should not perform at a concert based on his race. He responded on Twitter with a comprehensive song "clapping back" at the politician and others who think being black makes him any less French. This lesson focuses on identity and uses first-year French constructions to allow students to talk about themselves while learning about French identities. The video for the song includes references to many aspects of French and francophone culture, which are explored briefly in the lesson with room to explore independently.
Lest we think this is an issue unique to France, decades ago, Marian Anderson was also told she could not perform based on her being black. She defied the odds and sang on the steps of the Lincoln memorial, inspiring Martin Luther King, Jr, among others. We look at this performance and a portrait of Anderson from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and students have a chance to discuss how they have overcome odds.

Poem “Dans Paris” par Paul Éluard

The poem is a great resource to introduce demonstrative adjectives (ce, cet, cette, ces) for French I students.

*I love using poetry in my classrooms. This is an excellent way to practice pronunciation and intonation.