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Topic 2: Political Institutions in Germany
Step #1: Gathering Information
Strategy: Anticipation Guide and Think-Pair-Share
Anticipation guides help students generate prior knowledge at the beginning of new units. New learning should be built on the foundation of previous learning. In addition, both teachers and students can understand the misconceptions that the students have about the upcoming content or concept.
Activities
Using the Anticipation Guide (Germany Divided) below, have students respond individually on a sliding scale (shown below – A,a,D,d) to a statement and then a question about the statement.
| A = Agree Strongly
D = Disagree Strongly |
a = Agree Somewhat
d = Disagree Somewhat |
| Before Learning
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After Learning
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A wall dividing Berlin was built immediately
after the Second World War.
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During the Cold War, the two German nations
were culturally, politically, and economically
similar.
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During the Cold War, relationships strengthen
and contacts increase between the people and
leaders of East Germany and West Germany.
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Diplomatic efforts in the United Nations led to
German unification.
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Have students share the letter (A,a,D,d) responses and record the results. Ask students to identify patterns of responses. What might be reasons for the pattern?
Once students have shared the letter responses, have pairs discuss their responses to the bulleted questions beneath the statements, and then share their conclusions with the class.