Mabon: French Revolution & Napoleon
Revolution spreads to Europe! As we celebrate the autumn equinox and balance, we study how the quest for liberty can tip into chaos—and the rise of an emperor.
UU Principle Focus
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part
🎯 Learning Goals
- • Understand the causes and phases of the French Revolution
- • Analyze the Reign of Terror and its lessons about extremism
- • Study Napoleon's rise, reforms, and fall
- • Master multi-step equations and inequalities
- • Learn the digestive, excretory, and integumentary systems
- • Connect themes of balance, harvest, and consequences
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: The Old Regime
🕯️ Hearth Circle
French society was divided into three 'estates' with very unequal rights. Where do you see inequality in the world today? How should we respond?
📚 Language Arts
Introduction to pre-revolutionary France. The Three Estates. Read about life under Louis XVI. Begin A Tale of Two Cities (adapted). Write about fairness.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Review one and two-step equations. Multi-step equations with parentheses. Distributive property.
🫀 Science: Human Anatomy
The digestive system. Mouth to stomach: mechanical and chemical digestion. Enzymes and their roles.
✏️ Form Drawing
French Rococo decorative patterns
🧶 Handwork
Harvest crafts for Mabon; sketch French designs
📖 Story
Marie Antoinette: Queen of Excess?
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- French Revolution Overview
- Digestive System Intro
Shows:
- Marie Antoinette documentary
Audio:
- A Tale of Two Cities audiobook
Week 2: Revolution Begins
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The people stormed the Bastille seeking freedom. What does it take for ordinary people to stand up against injustice?
📚 Language Arts
The storming of the Bastille. The Declaration of the Rights of Man. Continue A Tale of Two Cities. Write a revolutionary pamphlet.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Equations with variables on both sides. Special cases: no solution, infinite solutions.
🫀 Science: Human Anatomy
Small intestine and nutrient absorption. Villi and surface area. Large intestine and waste elimination.
✏️ Form Drawing
Revolutionary symbols and flags
🧶 Handwork
Continue Mabon crafts; create a tricolor cockade
📖 Story
The Storming of the Bastille: July 14, 1789
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Bastille Day Explained
- Digestion Journey
Shows:
- The French Revolution documentary
Audio:
- Les Misérables excerpts
Week 3: The Reign of Terror
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The Revolution turned violent, executing thousands. How can a movement for freedom become oppressive? What lessons can we learn?
📚 Language Arts
The Reign of Terror. Robespierre and the guillotine. Continue A Tale of Two Cities. Write about the dangers of extremism.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Literal equations. Solving for a specific variable. Rearranging formulas.
🫀 Science: Human Anatomy
The excretory system. Kidneys and filtration. Maintaining water balance. Connection to circulatory system.
✏️ Form Drawing
Dramatic contrasts—light and shadow
🧶 Handwork
Apple crafts for Mabon; balance and equilibrium projects
📖 Story
Robespierre: Revolutionary or Tyrant?
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Reign of Terror Explained
- Kidney Function
Shows:
- Robespierre documentary
Audio:
- The Scarlet Pimpernel
Week 4: Napoleon Rises
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Napoleon rose from common origins to become emperor. What drives ambition? When does ambition become dangerous?
📚 Language Arts
Napoleon's rise to power. Military genius and political skill. Continue A Tale of Two Cities. Write a character analysis of Napoleon.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Introduction to inequalities. Graphing inequalities on a number line. Solving one-step inequalities.
🫀 Science: Human Anatomy
The integumentary system. Skin structure and functions. Protection, temperature regulation, sensation.
✏️ Form Drawing
Neoclassical design—clean lines and symmetry
🧶 Handwork
Create a Mabon altar; Napoleonic-era crafts
📖 Story
Napoleon Bonaparte: From Corsica to Emperor
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Napoleon's Rise
- Skin Anatomy
Shows:
- Napoleon documentary
Audio:
- Napoleon biography
Week 5: Empire and Reforms
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Napoleon brought both progress (legal codes, education) and destruction (wars, conquest). Can a leader be both good and bad? How do we judge historical figures?
📚 Language Arts
The Napoleonic Code. Education and infrastructure reforms. Wars of conquest. Finish A Tale of Two Cities. Write a balanced assessment.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Solving multi-step inequalities. Compound inequalities. Writing inequalities from word problems.
🫀 Science: Human Anatomy
Review digestive, excretory, and integumentary systems. How they work together to maintain homeostasis.
✏️ Form Drawing
Empire style borders and frames
🧶 Handwork
Continue Mabon projects; create a timeline
📖 Story
The Napoleonic Code: Law for the People?
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Napoleonic Wars Overview
- Homeostasis Explained
Shows:
- Napoleon's Empire
Audio:
- War and Peace excerpts
Week 6: Fall of Napoleon & Mabon Celebration
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Napoleon's ambition led to his downfall at Waterloo. What does his story teach us about balance—the theme of Mabon?
📚 Language Arts
Waterloo and exile. The Congress of Vienna. Legacy of the French Revolution. Write a reflection on power and balance.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Review inequalities. Real-world applications: budgets, constraints, and limits.
🫀 Science: Human Anatomy
Create a final project on body systems studied this unit.
✏️ Form Drawing
Create a balanced Mabon celebration page
🧶 Handwork
Complete Mabon crafts; prepare equinox feast
📖 Story
Waterloo: The Final Battle
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Waterloo Documentary
- Body Systems Review
Shows:
- Napoleon's End
Audio:
- Mabon stories and music
🍂 Mabon Celebration
- 🟡 Host an equinox feast celebrating balance
- 🟡 Present research on a French Revolution figure
- 🟡 Display body systems projects
- 🟡 Create a balance altar with harvest items
- 🟡 Reflect on light and dark, order and chaos
- 🟡 Discuss the lessons of revolution
📚 Recommended Resources
Literature
- • A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens) - adapted
- • The Scarlet Pimpernel (Orczy)
- • Les Misérables excerpts (Hugo)
Reference
- • DK Eyewitness: French Revolution
- • The Human Body (DK)
- • Declaration of the Rights of Man (primary)