During the study of Acadian culture, history, and folklore the students will view the movie by Glen Pitre, Belizaire the Cajun set in 1859 Vermilionville in southwest Louisiana. Following the movie they will write a sequel to the movie 'completing' all the storylines that were left hanging at the conclusion of the movie. They will also move the storyline to Vermilionville 1861 after Louisiana seceeded from the Union.

• History: Time, Continuity, and Change
       Students develop a sense of historical time and historical perspective as they study the history of their community, state, nation, and world.

• H-1A-M2
       demonstrating historical perspective through the political, social, and economic context in which an event or idea occurred;
• H-1A-M3
       analyzing the impact that specific individuals, ideas, events, and decisions had on the course of history;
• H-1A-M6
       conducting research in efforts to answer historical questions;
• H-1D-M1
       describing the contributions of people, events, movements, and ideas that have been significant in the history of Louisiana;
• H-1D-M6
       examining folklore and describing how cultural elements have shaped our state and local heritage.

• Historical Thinking Skills

Grade 8

64. Compare and contrast events and ideas from Louisiana’s past and present, explaining political, social, or economic contexts

(H-1A-M2)


65. Analyze the causes, effects, or impact of a given historical event in Louisiana

(H-1A-M3)

• English/Language Arts : Standard 2
       Students write competently for a variety of purposes and audiences.
• English/Language Arts : Standard 3
       Students communicate using standard English grammar, usage, sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and handwriting.
• English/Language Arts : Standard 7
       Students apply reasoning and problem solving skills to reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, and visually representing.

• Compose and edit a multi-page document with appropriate formatting using word-processing skills. (e.g., menu, tool bars, dialog boxes, spell check, thesaurus, page layout, headers and footers, word count, margins, tabs, spacing, columns, page orientation)

Hardware:
VCR/DVD player
Infocus/projection unit [if used]
Video of Belizaire
NPS film "The Cajun Way, Echos of Acadia"
Computers (both classroom and Lab)

Software:
Microsoft Word
MS Power-point

Websites:
•Belizaire Graphics
      www.Louisiana101.com/Belizairepics.html
•Acadian Powerpoint
      oakparkmiddle.cpsb.org/faculty/greg.english/ACADIANS/acadian-lesson.ppt

Other:

Belizaire Storyline: Vigilantes disturb a peaceful Cajun community by accusing members of some families of stealing cattle. These families are ordered into exile. One man, Hypolite Leger, refuses to go.; His cousin is Belizaire Breaux, an herbal doctor who comes to his aid. Belizaire has been treating Alida, the pregnant wife of vigilante Matthew Perry. Alida is Belizaire's former sweetheart, and Belizaire still cares about her a great deal. When an "Americain" is found murdered, Hypolite Leger is accused of the crime. Belizaire ultimately uses his "medicaments" to reveal the identity of the true murderer.

• Belizaire: Synopsis
• Belizaire: Assignment
• BElizaire: Rubric
• Belizaire LaGumbos