Flight&Expulsion

Author:StephenGraham
Datecreated:12/01/20147:23PMESTDatemodified:12/03/20141:30PMEST

BasicInformation
MentorTeacher

Dr.DavidSaxe

Grade/Level

Grade10,Grade11,Grade12

TimeFrame

14minutes

Subject(s)

History

LessonTopic

Flight&ExpulsionofGermansAfterWWII

UnitTopic

WorldWarII

StandardsAndKeyConcepts
Standards

PAPennsylvaniaAcademicStandards
Subject:History
Area:8.4:WorldHistory
Grade/Course:GRADE9
Category:ImpactofContinuityandChange(World)
Standard:8.4.9.C:Analyzehowcontinuityandchangehaveimpactedworldhistory.Beliefsystemsand
religionsCommerceandindustryTechnologyPoliticsandgovernmentPhysicalandhumangeography
Socialorganization
Category:ConflictandCooperation(World)
Standard:8.4.9.D:Analyzehowconflictandcooperationamonggroupsandorganizationshaveinfluencedthe
historyanddevelopmentoftheworld.

EnduringUnderstanding(s)

AttheendofWorldWarII,theRussianarmymovedintoGermany,leadingtolargepopulationflightofGermansfromthe
East.Afterthewar,thecarvingupofGermanybythePotsdamConferenceledtoalossofterritory,andanewmass
migrationofGermansfromEasternEurope,killingmany.ThetreatmentoftheGermansbytheseforcesprovidesa
narrativeofrevengefortheatrocitiesofthewar,andportraysamajoraspectofGermany'sfallfrompowerpostwar.

SpecificLearningOutcomes

Studentswillanalyzeprimarysourcedocuments,lookingforkeyfactsandpointofview.
StudentswillcompareandcontrasttheactionsoftheRussiansandCzechstowardpostwarGermanstotheGermans
actionstowardtheJews.
StudentswillunderstandthechangingmapsandpopulationshiftsofGermanypostWorldWarII.

EssentialQuestions

WhyisthenarrativeofFlight&Expulsionnotdiscussedinmoredepthinschoolstoday?
WasanyonesidejustifiedintheiractionstakenagainsttheGermansafterthewar?

MaterialsandResources
Materialsandresources:
DeathMarchprimarysourcehandout
PapermapsofGermany

ActivitiesAndProcedures
Springboard

Beforeanyexplanationoflesson,handoutprimarysourcedocuments.
Informstudentsthattodayslessonwillbecenteredmostlyaroundadiscussionofthematerials.

Transition
Activity1

PrimarySourceDiscussion(10minutes)
Teacher:
Primestudentstothereadingbyaskingthemtotrytofigureoutwhatisgoingon,whoisinvolved,andwhatthe
readingmakesthemthinkof
Havestudentsreadfor5mintes,oruntilstudentsseemfinished.
Callstudentsattention,andaskforabriefsummaryofwhatwasgoingon.
Openupdiscussiontowhatthestudentsthinkabouttheeventsdepicted,pointofview,andthesimilaritiesbetween

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thisreadingandthoseofJewsbeingledtoconcentrationcamps.
Discussionfor5minutes.
AsstudentsrealizethatitisnotabouttheJews,informthemaboutthenarrativeofflightandexpulsion
Injectfactsabouttheeventstokickoffdiscussion,butletstudentstakethereignsaboutthefeelingsevokedby
reading,andleadintofinalactivitywithmap.

Students:
Readarticle,payingattentiontothepointofviewofsource.
Discussthequestionsposedbyteacher,comeupwithownquestionstoask.
Attachments:
1. SSED412WLessonPlanPrimarySource2.docx

Activity2

Mapactivity(4minutes)
Teacher:
GivestudentsacopyofmapofGermany.
Askstudentstothinkaboutthewar,thedamagescausedbyGermany,anddecideforthemselveswhatterritoriesare
righttolose.
HavestudentsdrawonmapwheretheythinkisfairtotakefromGermany,andthendefendtheirchoices
Informstudentsontheactualplacement.Elaborateonthefurtherdivisionsintoadministrativezones.
Discusstheimportanceoflostterritories,includingthelossofKonigsbergtotheSovietUnion.

Students:
DrawonmapopiniononwhatpunishmentstodealtoGermany.

Activity3
Activity4
Activity5
Activity6
Activity7
Activity8
Closure

Assessment/Evaluation
Diagnostic
Formative

Discussionoftheprimarysourcewillserveasformativeassessmentofstudents'comprehensionandanalyticalskills.

Summative
Assessment/Rubrics

SPLED/Accommodations
Physical
LearningStyles
SpecialNeeds
LessonAnalysisand
Reflection

Thislessonwentincrediblywellinallofmysections.Studentswereimmediatelyengagedwiththereading,andthe
musicplayingseemedtokeepthemfocused,ratherthanlettinguncomfortablesilenceovercomethem.Allsectionswere
shockedbythetwistrevealoftheprotagonistoftheirreading,andthediscussionthatcamefromitwasverystrong.
Theendingwhiteboardactivitymayhavebeenunnecesary,andinsomesectionsIcutitshorttocontinueconversations,
oruseditinterweavedwiththediscussionwewerehavingratherthananactivityonitsown.Inall,thislessonwent
verywell,andIjustwishwehadmoretimeforthediscussion.

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