POWER POINT PRESENTATION

on
Albert Einstein at School
By Patrick Pringle
Prepared by
[Link]
PGT English
JNV, Karaikal
ALBERT EINSTEIN AT SCHOOL

BY PATRICK PRINGLE
Content
1. Introduction

2. About the author

3. About Albert Einstein

4. Title Description

5. Characters

6. Theme
[Link]-Theme
[Link] words and Phrases
[Link] answer questions
10. HOTS Questions
[Link]-Based Questions
[Link] Assignment
INTRODUCTION
The lesson “Albert Einstein at School” is an extract from the
biography of Albert Einstein, named “The Young Einstein”
by Patrick Pringle. In this lesson, Patrick familiarises the
reader with those years in Einstein’s life where he was
struggling each day in school and the school diploma felt like
a far-fetched dream.
It throws light upon a few encounters with his
teacher, what he felt about the neighbourhood,
where he lived and about his only one good friend,
Yuri. The way Albert strategizes to get out of the
miserable place (school) and how things turned
around in the end, makes the story even more
interesting.
Patrick Pringle - the author
About the author–Patrick Pringle
He was born in 1935, in Rochester, New York.

He was a freelance writer, photographer, wildlife biologist, and an

educator. He worked as a science teacher, executive editor of Nature and
Science(children's magazine). Later he became the Faculty member of
Kean College of New Jersey,

He received New Jersey Institute of Technology Award and Special

Conservation Award.
Albert Einstein - Physicist
About Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who

developed the theory of relativity.

It is one of the two pillars of modern Physics. He became a

German citizen in 1914.

He remained in Berlin, Germany till 1933. Then he renounced his

German citizenship for political reasons.

He emigrated to America to take the
position of Professor of Theoretical Physics at
Princeton University.

His work is also known for its influence on

the philosophy of science.
A childhood portrait of Albert Einstein and his sister Maja
Albert Einstein at school (Front: third from left)
Albert attended a Catholic elementary school in Munich
TITLE DESCRIPTION
• Albert Einstein at School describes Einstein’s struggles at Luitpold
Gymnasium, his school in Munich. About his clash with teachers and
students. About his stay as a paying guest and his noisy landlady.
Einstein had no peace in the school nor in his lodging. About his
securing a doctor’s certificate that suggested a change of school.
Learn Albert Einstein at School
It is essential to know about the early life of great
personalities to understand that life is not a bed of roses.
One should be prepared to face challenges of life in order to
be successful. This lesson describes about Einstein who was
expelled from his school , later proved to be a great
scientist. The title is very suitable.
CHARACTERS
1. Albert Einstein - the protagonist of this lesson

2. Maja - Einstein’s sister

3. Elsa - Einstein’s cousin
4. Dr. Ernst Weil - a doctor-friend to Yuri
5. Yuri - Einstein’s only friend in Munich
6. Braun - Einstein’s History teacher
7. Mr. Koch - Einstein’s Maths teacher
8. Headmaster - Einstein’s school Headmaster
THEME

Unproductive and regimental school

system often curbs the individual talents
Sub – Theme

Hardships and internment of great

personalities in their childhood
Difficult Words and Phrases

Unusual unthinking honesty – strange natural goodness

Sarcasm - witty remarks

Cold and cruel - severe and unkind

Dirt and squalor - dirty and filthy condition

Slum violence - violent acts in dirty dwellings

DIFFICULT WORDS AND PHRASES
Badge of honour – sign of honour

Learning things by heart – learning with understanding

That wailing gets on my nerves – the unpleasant sound of violin by

Einstein annoyed the landlady

Nervous breakdown - mental strain

Reluctantly - unwillingly
Difficult Words and Phrases
Albert’s face lit up - Albert’s face was brightened out of joy

As a matter of fact - without emotion or imagination

Pull the wool over his eyes – cheat or deceive him

Albert’s face fell - Albert was dejected or disappointed

wide-eyed - surprised
Difficult Words and Phrases
If the worst comes to the worst – if worst things happen continuously

A glowing reference - worthy written statement

not mincing words - speak bluntly and plainly

Constant rebellion – continuous opposition to authority

burning a hole in his pocket - feeling of pain as it serves no purpose

9. SHORT ANSWER QUESTION
Answer the following questions in about 40 words each:

1. Who is Elsa? What advice does she give to Albert to clear the diploma?
• Elsa was Einstein’s cousin sister. She believed that Albert didn’t try to learn at
all. Her concept of learning was opposite to Einstein’s. She too believed in rote
learning – learning by heart. She was of the opinion that any student can do that.
She adviced Albert also to do the same.
2. How was the history teacher and maths teacher’s opinion about Albert
different?

The history teacher Mr. Braun thought that Einstein was rude and
impudent. He did not make any attempt to learn historical facts. On the
other hand, the maths teacher Mr. Koch thought Einstein was brilliant. He
had learned all he taught in the school. He even gave him a reference for
admission to a college.
3. Einstein was not happy in his lodgings. What disturbed him?
Albert’s room was in the poorest quarter of Munich. The most unbearable
element in his environment was the slum violence. His landlady beat the
children and they cried a lot. She was beaten by her drunken husband.
These things disturbed him the most.
4. What was Albert’s plan for further education after leaving Munich?
Einstein planned to continue his education in Milan in an Italian college. He
needed a reference to get admission there. So, he decided to ask his Maths
teacher Mr. Koch for a certificate.
HOTS QUESTIONS
Answer the following questions in about 125-150 words each:

1. The school system often curbs individual talents. Discuss.

2. What do you understand of Einstein’s nature from his conversation with

the History teacher, maths teacher and the head teacher.

3. How do you distinguish between information gathering and insight

information?
VALUE-BASED QUESTION
Answer the following questions in about 125-150 words each:

1. Write a Debate on the topic:

‘Strict Discipline alone helps Students get educated’.

2. Keeping the lesson in your view, write a letter to your friend describing the
present school system and its effects on children
HOME ASSIGNMENT
1. Do you think Albert misbehaved while answering the history
teacher’s questions? Justify your answer.

2. What should education be all about, according to Albert?

3. Why didn’t Albert feel cheerful to go back to his lodging?

4. What did the head teacher tell Albert when he met him?
THANK YOU