Topic 1: Germany’s Changing Position in Europe and the World

Lesson 2
Step #1: Gathering Information

Strategy: Inquiry and Questioning Skills

Activities

Organize students into six groups. Give each group copies of Handout #1: (Europe Outline Map). Have the students locate Germany before the groups begin to work. Then, ask each group to think about the question:

What is important about the location of Germany in Europe?

Distribute Handout #2: (What is Important About the Location of Germany in Europe?) to each group. This handout, featuring a web organizer, is best used as a brainstorming activity. Have each group write the question above in the center circle. Answers to this question should be written in the surrounding circles. Finally, review the answers from each group, making sure to link their responses to the concepts listed on the classroom's Word Wall.

Next, give folders to each group that include the following:

#1. (Landforms, Rivers and Canals)
#2. (Important Industrial Areas and Location of Mineral Resources)

#3. (Types of Industries) #4. (The Four Major Landforms of Germany)

#5. (Rivers and Canals in Germany) #6. (Population Density in the German States)

#7. (Outline Map of Germany) #8. (Land Use in Germany)

#9. (Important Industrial Areas and Mineral Resource Locations)

Printable Student View

Assign each group one of the following questions to answer. Each group should refer to content provided in their folder.

What are the physical features of each of the four major landforms?
What rivers and canals are found in each region?
What mineral resources are found in each region?
How do the regions compare in number and size of the industrial areas?
What types of industries are found in each region?
Which regions have the largest concentrations of population?

Each group should record the information in their column on a Regions of Germany Chart like the one below.

THREE
REGIONS Physical
Features Rivers
and Canals Mineral
Resources Industrial
Areas Types of
Industries Population
Density