Gustav+Stresemann

__ Subject Matter Background: __
Germany, located in Central Europe, is the sixty third largest country in the world, and the seventh largest country in Europe. Germany’s land extends more than 130,000 square miles, and encompasses more than 3000 square miles of water. Germany’s neighbors are France, Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and finally Luxembourg. The Rhine, Danube, and Elbe are the major rivers that journey through some of the sixteen states that comprise Germany. Additionally, Germany stretches out into the North Sea on the north- west side, and Baltic Sea on the north –east side. Finally, Germany is home to significant natural resources: coal, copper, salt, and nickel. Germany is one of the leading exporter and importer of resources in the world.

Germany is also home to the co-winner of the 1926 Nobel Peace Prize, Gustav Stresemann. Gustav was raised in Berlin Germany where he became active in politics. He was the leader of the National Liberal Party until 1917; just before the end of World War I. Additionally, Gustav founded the German People’s Party; a liberal party that was formed during the Weimar Republic. Stresemann also spent several months as chancellor of a coalition government. Finally, just before Gustav was awarded the Nobel Prize, he became secretary of foreign affairs in 1924. Today, Gustav Stresemann is represented as an influential leader in Germany, who reconciled Germany and France during his time in the Weimar Republic.

__ Instructional Ideas: __
To begin with, I want to focus on World War I in Germany with my students. Next semester in my student teaching experience, I will be focusing on Europe, especially the involvement in World War I and World War II. This lesson will extend into three 75 minute instructional days. To begin this instruction, I want to first introduce the Nobel Peace Prize. I will have a five minute mini-lesson on the story behind Alfred Nobel. Students will understand when the Nobel Prize originated, and the reasons for receiving this prize. Next, students will be guided to the computer lab, where they will research the influential leader Gustav Stresemann. Each student will be given a graphic organizer resembling a certificate. The certificate will be used for taking notes on Gustav Stresemann, as well as a reminder of the Nobel Peace Prize that was awarded to this leader of peace. This activity will conclude the 75 minute period for the first day.

On the following day, I will have students complete an entry in their learning log. The students will answer the following question: What is the Nobel Peace Prize? And why did Gustav Stresemann receive this prize? Students will need to recall what they learned from the mini lesson on the Nobel Prize, as well as the research they completed in the computer lab. Next, I will give each student a map of Europe and a map of Germany. Using their textbooks, and the classroom computers, students will fill in the maps with the names of the surrounding countries, and the different geographic regions in Germany. The students will pay close attention to the mountains, bodies of water, rivers, and flatlands. Once the students complete this activity, I will begin a lecture on the importance of geography, and the role it plays in Germany. In addition, the students will compare and contrast Germany’s geography to Europe’s geography as a whole. Students will be asked to complete an exit slip to conclude the class period. The exit slip will focus on one similarity or difference between Germany’s geography and Europe’s geography as a whole.

The third day, I will begin a lecture on World War I by having students discuss the accomplishments of Gustav Stresemann during World War I. Then, there will be a teacher-centered lecture on World War I with special focus on events in Germany. Additionally, there will be specific focus on how geography played a role in the events of World War I. For example, the focus will look at the location of Germany in respect to its allies and enemies. Furthermore, the lecture will look at the specific topography of where the battles took place. As the assessment, students will be asked to create an ongoing timeline of events before, during, and after World War I. This timeline will be the main assessment to see if the students are gaining knowledge of the material. The timeline will be due at the end of the Unit on World War I.

Resources: http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1926/stresemann-bio.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_Stresemann http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3997.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany