Is France in England or Montreal?

The scene: grade 9 Social Studies, 3rd block of the day


Topic: Napoleon


Students: A completely normal group of 13/14 year olds, funny, kind, trying to learn 


Background: The class has studied geography, the English Civil War, the French Revolution, and the Napoleonic Era.  As a summarizing activity, the class is watching a DVD on Napoleon.  This DVD includes reenactments of battles.

Mrs. B: thinking, thinking


Class: watching, watching, watching the Battle of the Nile


Mrs. B: Kiddlets, I know I probably don't need to say this, but I hope you all realize these are reenactments of battles.  There is no actual footage.

Student 1: Duh, Ms. B.  What?!? Do you think we think they had, like, helicopters?

Mrs. B: Okay, okay.  Just checking!

10 minutes later...

A clip from a 1936 movie plays.

Student 1: So, wait, is this real footage?

Mrs. B: No, hun.  Still no recording cameras in the early 1800s.

Educational Assistant (EA): Wow, I really didn't think you needed to tell them that.

10 minutes later...

DVD: Napoleon retreated from the English back to Paris.

Student 2: Wait, wait, wait.  Pause. Pause. Wait.  I'm really confused.

Mrs. B: What's going on, hun?

Student 2: I thought that Paris was in England.

Mrs. B: No, Paris is the capital of France.

Student 2: I thought France was in England.

Student 3: No, France is in Montreal.

Mrs. B: Vomits and passes out because she is apparently a terrible teacher.  Still not sure if Student 3 was joking...