Germinal teacher pack
Five weeks of lessons on Germinal for ages 14 to 18: a plan, a worksheet and the answers for each week, a final essay with a marking guide, and a reading certificate to print. Free to use in class.
Five weeks, week by week
- Week 1Chapters 1 to 8
Étienne enters mining work and meets the Maheus, revealing how danger, hunger, and unequal wealth shape daily choices.
Plan · worksheet · answers - Week 2Chapters 9 to 16
Étienne develops political influence as falling wages, a mine collapse, and Catherine’s departure increase pressure on the Maheu household.
Plan · worksheet · answers - Week 3Chapters 17 to 24
The strike spreads as negotiations fail, hunger grows, and competing leaders offer different ways to pursue the miners’ demands.
Plan · worksheet · answers - Week 4Chapters 25 to 32
Hunger drives attacks on working pits as Étienne loses control, while Catherine’s suffering and Alzire’s death expose the strike’s human cost.
Plan · worksheet · answers - Week 5Chapters 33 to 40
The shootings and mine disaster destroy lives, while Étienne’s survival and Maheude’s forgiveness lead toward hopes for organized action.
Plan · worksheet · answers
Assessment
Final essay
Three questions to choose from, 800 to 1,200 words, with a marking guide in four bands.
Quiz bank
The 30 questions and 39 flashcards online, for homework or a quick check in class. Open the quiz
Discussion
Questions for small groups, meeting by meeting. The book club kit
Reading certificate
Certificate of reading
Student's name
has read
Germinal
by Émile Zola
Teacher and class
Free for 3 months
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