Vodun in Benin French Reading Comprehension | 3 Differentiated Levels

Help students explore the living religion of Vodun in Benin while moving beyond the stereotypes created by Hollywood. This differentiated French reading comprehension resource introduces Vodun beliefs and practices, sacred places, ancestors, offerings, Catholic influence, Haitian Vodou and the traditional meaning of the Haitian zonbi.

The same essential information is presented at three proficiency levels, making it easy to differentiate within one class or use the resource across multiple courses:

• Novice High

• Intermediate Low

• Intermediate Mid

Students learn that Vodun is a diverse West African religion—not “black magic”—and examine how history, family, spirituality and cultural exchange have shaped its practice in Benin and Haiti.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• 3 differentiated French readings

• Full-color one-page infographic

• 10 true-or-false questions in English

• 10 vrai ou faux questions in French

• 5 short-answer questions in English

• 5 questions à réponse courte in French

• 10 multiple-choice questions in English

• 10 questions à choix multiple in French

• Complete answer key

• Links to additional articles and educational videos

• Vocabulary support within the readings

• Teacher terms of use

TOPICS COVERED

• Vodun in Benin and West Africa

• Ancestors and spiritual powers

• Prayer, music, dance and offerings

• Altars, shrines and sacred forests

• Vodun and Catholicism

• The Atlantic slave trade and the development of Haitian Vodou

• The difference between the Haitian zonbi and Hollywood zombies

• Misconceptions and respectful cultural understanding

This resource works well for a francophone culture unit, Black History Month, a unit on religion and belief, cultural comparisons, differentiated reading practice, independent work or a substitute lesson.

The readings contain the same core information, so all students can complete the accompanying comprehension activities regardless of which level they read.

FORMAT

20-page printable PDF

Answer key included

French readings with English and French comprehension activities