Getting to Know... Les petits enfants du siècle

Suitable for:
  • Edexcel: A Level

Ready-to-use research tasks, worksheets, background information and practice exam questions ensure comprehensive understanding of Les petits enfants du siècle. Students will discover this popular novel written by Christiane Rochefort while exploring key themes such as education, religion and gender roles, and be fully prepared for the writing exam. The structure offers the perfect balance between guided classwork and independent study:

  • Before: Students are introduced to the social and historical context of the book, including France’s housing policy and the emerging era of materialism, as well as the author and the themes of the book.
  • During: Encouraging a close reading of the book, this section provides chapter-by-chapter activities to promote comprehension and the learning of important vocabulary.
  • After: Activities in the final sections focus on the application of knowledge and provide tips, exam-style questions and model essays to prepare students effectively for the exam.
  • Answers are provided for all activities, including model essays and indicative content for the exam-style questions.

What do teachers say about this resource? (8649)

In general, I thought that this resource was excellent, and certainly offers very good value for money.

I thought the resource flowed very well, and that it would be very clear to teachers and students alike how the author had structured it in order to enhance their work on Les petits enfants du siècle.

I felt that the author tackled some of the more mature themes raised by the book in a very sympathetic and appropriate way which would really help teachers working on the text with students of all ability levels.

I think the range of activities is excellent - there is a good variety of individual, pair and group tasks, and the guidance given to teachers regarding how to use the resource is really very helpful indeed. I particularly like the emphasis on using self and peer analysis to help students to improve their own work and on showing them how to perfect examination technique. I also like the combination of class activities and independent consolidation exercises. Teachers do not have to use the whole thing with all ability levels and pages can be broken down into sections as appropriate. There is therefore the opportunity for some very good differentiated class- and homework.

I think that this resource is very well-matched to the specification. Obviously, much of the material about the text itself would be generic to the questions set by all Awarding Organisations, but I like the fact that the introductory pages explain to students following the Pearson Edexcel specification just how the resource matches what they need to know in order to succeed in their examination. I also like the fact that the author of the resource has devoted sufficient time to things like the use and analysis of the very specific vocabulary used in the work.

It is packed with material, and I would have loved to have used it when I studied this text for A level French myself! I love this book and enjoy sharing my affection for it with students, and this resource would certainly make that task easier.

It is excellent value for money. My students and I would get a great deal of use and benefit from it!

Although excellent use is made of contemporary teaching styles, this is tempered by more traditional ways of analysing the work. Since there is so much material here, there is plenty to engage students of all abilities, including weaker ones or those lacking in confidence, and I enjoyed planning how I would be able to utilise and adapt some of the different tasks for various classes and pupils with whom I work now and will work in the future. I especially like the fact that wider linguistic techniques beyond literary analysis are also included here – the advice given about approaches to translation struck me as particularly helpful, not least because many teachers find it difficult to instruct their students in how to translate effectively.

H Smith, Examiner & Peer Reviewer

On the whole I thought that this resource was a comprehensive study guide which I would be very happy to use as my primary scheme of work for teaching the novel with year 12 or 13. The coverage of the historical background, the setting and the author is a useful place to start and the detail included in the chapter by chapter sections would support the pupils effectively whole reading and trying to understand the original text. The essay-writing section gives support with essay writing in general as well as specific guidance and model essays. I liked the balance of activities which included translations, video clips, vocab work and essay advice & practice. I also liked the inclusion of discussion points in some of the answers to support the speaking discussion questions but it would have been better to have ideas for every question. The educational value of this resource is in its link to the Edexcel A Level specification. The essay writing section is very important for exam preparation and is especially useful since that is the way the students will be examined on their understanding of the book. The study guide supports students’ independent learning skills as there are plenty of opportunities for research and independent study.

V Pick, Head of French, Tranby & Peer Reviewer