Topic 1: Germany in the World

Lesson 1: Where is Germany?

Lesson Objective

The student will identify the absolute and comparative location of Germany.

Materials and Resources

Worksheet 1 - “The Hemispheres”
Worksheet 2 - “Overlay: European Political Boundaries”
Globe
Teacher Resource 1 - “The History of the Globe”

Strategies

Establishing a sense of “place” is an important factor in helping students understand people of other cultures. Begin this topic of study by establishing a sense of “place.” Use a globe to show students the location of Germany and the location of the United States. [NOTE: All globes found in schools today may not yet show one Germany. The teacher may need to explain that from 1949 until 1990 Germany was divided into two parts. Unification of Germany occurred on October 3, 1990.]

Have the students describe the location of the two countries in relation to one another. Ask students such questions as

Is Germany near the United States?
What other countries that we’ve studied are located near Germany?
In which continent is the United States located? Germany?
In which hemispheres is Germany located (northern/southern; eastern/western)?
What means of transportation can be used to travel to Germany from the United States?

Maps are also a useful tool for studying location. Organize the class into groups of three students and distribute one copy of Worksheet 1, “The Hemispheres” to each group. Using a large pulldown map and a globe, have the students locate and label each of the seven continents. When students finish ask such questions as

On which continent is the United States located? Which hemisphere?
On which continent is Germany located? Which hemisphere?

Next, provide each group with a copy of Worksheet 2, “The World” and again have the students locate and label the United States and Germany on beach of the three maps. After students have had an opportunity to examine all three maps, ask questions such as

Which map is our class more accustomed to using?
Does the world look different when you look at a map with Asia or Europe in the center rather than the United States in the center? How?
Which map is probably used in most German classrooms? Why?

After completing these activities, help students reach the conclusion that as a model of the earth, the globe is the best resource to use to determine relative location. [Teacher Resource 1, “The History of the Globe,” provides interesting information about a globe made by a German contemporary of Christopher Columbus.]