Carmen Goes on Stage

In Episode 6, Carmen watches an opera and gets into trouble during its famous song, “L’Amour est un oiseau rebelle”. Kids research and perform the song’s lyrics and discuss foreshadowing.

Activity Instructions

Kids will read through a few stanzas from “L’Amour est un oiseau rebelle” and connect the song to the plot of Episode 6.

Estimated time: 15-20 minutes

Materials needed: Internet access, a dictionary, and notebook

1. Have kids research the opera “Carmen” and find out what the French connection is. (The author of this opera, Georges Bizet, was French and the opera is sung in French.)
2. Have kids find the lyrics to “L’Amour est un oiseau rebelle” and translate the stanza that starts with “L’amour est enfant de Bohême” and ends with “prends garde à toi.” Ask the class what the phrase “prends garde à toi” means (“you’d better beware”). Ask kids what they think the phrase might foreshadow in the context of the plot.
3. In groups of 3 or 4, have kids listen to the stanza in French several times (either on the internet or in the episode they are watching), and have them practice singing it together.
4. Ask for volunteer groups to perform the stanza in class.