Submitted by Allison J. Spenader

Language: Polish Unit Cultural Theme or Academic Content Area: Cultural Contexts (geography) Target Audience: Traditional Post-Secondary Year of Instruction: 3

Standards: Communication:    1.1, 1.2, 1.3 Cultures:    2.1, 2.2 Connections:    3.1, 3.2 Comparisons:    4.2 Communities:

Unit Timeframe:

approx. 18 50-minute class periods

Unit Overview:

This unit consists of 4 parts designed to address historical, social and socio-political geography in Poland. The first 4 lessons are entitled 'Geografia Polska' (Geography of Poland) and are concerned with familiarizing students with vocabulary that will be used throughout the unit, as well as the basic geography of Poland (regions, neighboring countries, rivers, cities and towns). The second part, 'Poczatki historii miast'(the origins of cities), introduces the historical developments leading to two of Polands largest cultural and intellectual centers: Krakow and Warsaw, and their roles as capitals of Poland. The third part, 'Czas Przejscia' (Time of transition) introduces another city in perspective: Lodz. This part also looks closely at that city going through the Solidarity movement into the free market during 1989-1991, and ends looking at Lodz today utilizing municipal web-sites. The final section, 'Teraz Polska' (Poland now) has students looking at more cities, their pasts, presents and futures. This section also has students working in groups, researching information on these cities, and creating portfolios and projects in Polish. It is meant to serve as a wrap-up activity for the entire unit.

General Unit References and Resources:

Video: "Poland" by Rand McNally (to order 1-800-376-2441)

Text: Giertych "Tysiac lat Historii Polskiego narodu" strona 21

Book: David Pichaske "Poland in Transition" (lessons 10-13)

Allison - we need more information here - publisher, etc. Can you get it a Amazon.com? A link to that page would be great!

Links or files for unit content:     A new window will open for each lesson.

Lesson 01