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In Education

Curriculum project for American and Canadian Social Studies Teachers within the Framework of the Transatlantic Outreach Program (2009-2012)

Co-Author

On behalf of the Goethe-Institut Washington DC www.goethe.de

Between 2009 and 2012, this assignment involved writing new textbooks for the Transatlantic Outreach Program with two American colleagues in consultation with the managers of the Transatlantic Outreach Program of the Goethe-Institut Washington DC.

The materials are aimed at both American and Canadian social studies teachers from elementary school through middle school to high school.

First, contents and topics were defined, researched and assigned to the different grades. The next step was to develop lessons that teachers could easily integrate into the existing curriculum in the different states and provinces.  These lessons contain the necessary content of the topic, time frame, teaching materials, etc. The lessons were then written in English.

The work also included the selection of authentic documents (primary and secondary sources) such as newspaper articles and photos, the development of Power Point presentations and practical classroom activities.

 

Let’s Explore Modern Germany

www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/spr/eng/top/tte/trs/leg.html

This textbook is aimed at primary and lower school teachers and offers comprehensive lessons on Germany – historical and current – that can be easily integrated into existing curricula.

It is divided into four chapters:

  • Geography
  • Modern life
  • History of the
  • The Brothers Grimm and other fairy tales

Each lesson consists of an overview of the topic, information on the time frame, comprehensive background information for the teachers, working materials (on an accompanying CD), a detailed schedule as well as suggestions for a concluding group reflection and tips on possible changes and extensions.

The structure of the lessons also allows teachers to combine geography with reading literacy, mathematics and science.

All lessons comply with the American “National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Standards” and the “Common Core Standards”.

 

Germany In Focus

www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/spr/eng/top/tte/trs/gyf.html

This textbook is intended for middle and high school teachers and offers comprehensive lessons on Germany – historical and current – which can be easily integrated into existing curricula for history, geography, social studies, economics and sustainability.

 

It is divided into seven chapters:

  • Geography
  • Society
  • History
  • German reunification
  • Political system
  • Economy
  • Sustainability

Each chapter starts with interview sequences with different German citizens on the respective topic. These can be used by the teachers to start off by creating the pupils’ interest in the topic.

The structure of the individual lessons consists of a core question, an overview of the topic, information on the time frame, comprehensive background information for the teachers, working materials (on an accompanying CD), a detailed schedule as well as suggestions for a concluding group reflection and tips on possible changes and extensions.

All lessons comply with the American National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Standards and the Common Core Standards.

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