Prerequisite:
View the video,
BEETHOVEN LIVES UPSTAIRS
Introduction:
You have seen the video
called "Beethoven Lives Upstairs". It gave you an inside view of
the kind of
person Beethoven was from the point of view of the young boy,
Christoff, who
lived downstairs, as well as from the viewpoint of others close to
Beethoven.
At first, Beethoven seemed to be a madman, and Christoff couldn't wait
to
have him move out. As he got to know Beethoven better, however,
he
changed his mind. He began to appreciate Beethoven's genius, and
understand
why he was so temperamental.
Task: 
1.You are
living during the last 27 years of Beethoven's life, (1800 - 1827).
Pretend you are one of the people in the list
below who
is close to Beethoven. You have a friend who does not know
Beethoven, and you want to tell him or her about your
experiences. Write a letter to your friend telling how you felt
about Beethoven before you got to know him well, and why your feelings
changed after you got to know him. Tell what
this experience has taught you about judging others who may be
different from
you in looks or abilities.
Use the Internet locations to
add to your information about the kind of person Beethoven was.
Roles to Choose:
1. Beethoven's Housekeeper
2. A member of Beethoven's orchestra
3. Beethoven's landlady
4. A child who lives in the same building
5. A friend of Beethoven's
6. Another composer
Sources:
Ludwig
van
Beethoven - Picture
Ludwig
Van
Beethoven: Introduction
Process:
1. Choose which person on the above list you want to be.
2. Gather your information on Beethoven and his music from the above web sites, then describe Beethoven and how you first felt about him and how that opinion has changed. Remember that you are writing to a friend who has never met him, so you need to be descriptive.
3. Tell your friend what you have learned about judging others by their appearance or their manners.
Evaluation:
1. Is your description accurate?
2. Did you describe how you felt before you
got
to know Beethoven, as well as how you felt after you got to know him?
3. Did you tell how you feel now about
judging people before you get to know them?
Conclusion:
Many times we decide whether a
person is worth our respect by how he or she looks or acts, or by what
they wear, or whether they believe as we do. Often this can be
wrong. It
is wise to get to know a person before we judge. Discover the
genius
in everyone.
Created by Beverly Bush