Students are introduced to the Cold War by watching a video of the Berlin Wall coming down. Then, they learn about the Cold War and how it influenced various parts of Europe. Next, they explore the fall of communism in Eastern Europe and explain its impact in specific countries. Finally, students develop a set of interview questions they would like to ask someone who lived through the Cold War in Europe.
Students read an introduction explaining that a new conflict—the Cold War—emerged in Europe after World War II. They watch a news video of the Berlin Wall coming down and then respond in a table about what they know about the event, its background, and how they think it felt to be there. They are told they will learn the history behind why the Berlin Wall was built and later torn down.
Teacher MovesPresent the lesson overview and objectives, then play the news video of the Berlin Wall’s fall. Prompt students to complete the reflection table and, once responses are submitted, prepare to transition the class to the historical background in the next scene.
Students are introduced to the idea that the Berlin Wall was a direct result of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. They watch What Was the Cold War? and read The Cold War through the section titled “Berlin” to learn about the origins, key players, and European impact of the conflict. Using a graphic organizer, they answer questions about when the Cold War began, who the two sides were, their types of government, why it was called a “cold” war, what prevented it from becoming an active war, what the “iron curtain” was, and why East Germans built the Berlin Wall.
Teacher MovesGuide students through the resources, ensuring they focus on new information in each source. After students complete the graphic organizer, lead a discussion of their responses, invite questions, and clarify their understanding of the Cold War and the division of Europe.
Students read 1989: The Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe to learn how the fall of communism began in Eastern Europe in 1989 and spread across the region, leading to the collapse of the Soviet Union. They then post to a class wall, explaining in their own words how the collapse of communism affected European countries, describing at least three countries and supporting their explanation with evidence from the reading.
Teacher MovesEnsure students understand the timeline and regional scope of the collapse of communism, then monitor their written explanations on the wall. Highlight and share interesting or exemplary responses with the class to prompt discussion about the varied impacts on different European countries.
Students consider that living through the Cold War was challenging, especially for citizens of Eastern European communist countries. Imagining they could interview someone who lived in Europe during the Cold War, they create and post a list of interview questions they would like to ask about daily life, restrictions, and personal experiences during that period.
Teacher MovesFacilitate a discussion of students’ interview questions, drawing attention to topics such as daily life, food, money, travel, and separated families. If time allows, encourage students to conduct additional research on everyday life in Eastern Bloc communist countries to deepen their understanding.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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