Topic 1: Germany’s Changing Position in Europe and the World
Lesson 1
Step #1: Gathering Information
Step #1: Gathering Information
Strategy: Activating Prior Knowledge
- How does Germany compare to the United States and the rest of Europe in land size, GDP, and relative population?
- What are the reasons for studying Germany?
Activities
Form groups of four or five students.
Have students compare the population density in Europe and Germany to that of the United States. Use the following chart to make the comparisons:
(Square Miles) |
(Per Square Mile) |
||
? Thought Questions
- Why is Germany important to the world and to the United States?
- How do geographic size and population density impact life in Germany?
- Why is Germany an important member of the European Union?
- What is significant about the comparison of land area to population density? What unique problems does this pose for Germany?
- Describe the relationship between land area and population density for both Germany and the United States. What conclusions can you make?
Have students collect articles from newspapers and magazines about Germany and the world. Articles should focus on such issues as:
- Germany’s role in European unification
- Germany’s roles as a leader in manufacturing and trade
- Germany’s success in rebuilding after the World War II
- Germany’s impact on the world as a nation of immigrants and emigrants
- Germany’s impact on the world in art, literature, and science.
- Germany’s roles as a leader in manufacturing and trade
Lead a discussion of the information on the bulletin board looking for similarities and differences between Germany and United States. Focus the discussion on what students already know about the United States and its relationship to Germany in the modern era:
- Activating Prior Knowledge: Do Germany and the United States share similar problems? Have they made similar contributions to the world? Does knowing more about Germany help us to know more about the United States?