Balkan Basics

Students are introduced to the cultural, historical, and economic characteristics of the Balkan Republics

Author / M. Barbara Stout
Grade Level / 7-8
Duration / 3 class periods
National Geography Standards / Arizona Geography Strand / Other Arizona Standards
ELEMENT TWO: PLACES AND REGIONS
4. The physical and human characteristics of places.
ELEMENT FOUR: HUMAN SYSTEMS
13. How the forces of cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and control of Earth's surface / Grade 7
Concept 2 Places and Regions
PO 3 Compare the historical and contemporary interactions among people in different places and regions

Grade 8

Concept 2 Places and Regions
PO 3 Examine relationships and interactions (e.g., Middle East Conflicts, NATO, European Union) among regions.
Concept 4 Human Systems
PO 4 Identify the factors (e.g., breakup of USSR, unification of Germany, cheap labor forces, outsourcing of services, oil industry) that influence the location, distribution and interrelationships of economic activities in different regions.
PO 5 Explain how cooperation and conflict contribute to political, economic, and social divisions (e.g., United Nations, European Union, NAFTA).
PO 6 Describe the aspects of culture (e.g., literacy, occupations, clothing, property rights) related to beliefs and understandings that influence the economic, social, and political activities of men and women. / Grade 7
Strand 2 World History
Concept 8 World at War
PO 2. Summarize the outcomes of World War I:
a. Treaty of Versailles (e.g., restrictions on Germany, end of the Ottoman Empire, redrawing of European boundaries)
b. economic issues (e.g., national debt, spread of socialism)
PO 3. Describe the rise of totalitarianism in Europe following World War I:
a. Italy under Mussolini
b. Germany under Hitler
c. Soviet Union under Stalin
Grade 8
Strand 2 World History
Concept 8 World at War
PO 6 Summarize each of the following outcomes of World War II:
a. redrawing of political boundaries in Europe
b. tensions leading to Cold War
c. formation of the United Nations
d. beginning of atomic age rebuilding of Japan
PO 13. Examine the fall of Communism and the unification of European nations:
a. Germany – reunification, Berlin Wall torn down
b. Russia – Gorbachev, Glasnost and Perestroika
c. Union of Soviet Socialist Republics – countries regained independence
d. European Union formed
ELA Common Core Standards
Reading Standards for 6-8 for Literacy in History/Social Studies
Key Ideas and Details
6-8.RH.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
6-8.RH.7 Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.
6-8 Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
Text Types and Purposes
6-8.WHST.2 Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/ experiments, or technical processes.
a. Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information into broader categories as appropriate to achieving purpose; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
b. Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
c. Use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
e. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone.
f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or
explanation presented.

Balkan Basics

Overview

The Balkan Republics are a hot spot in the world affecting the United States and other countries. Within the last decade the Balkan Republics have

had much violence. United States peacekeeping troops are still in this area today. Students should be aware of this hot spot and how it may affect their lives.

Purpose

This lesson introduces students to the cultural, historical, and economic characteristics of the Balkan Republics via a country profile chart. It also analyzes the similarities and differences of various Balkan Republics in an expository compare and contrast essay

Materials

§ Balkan Basic Anticipatory Set

§ Central and Eastern Europe Map with Country Names

§ Balkan Basics Country Profile Chart

§ Balkan Basics Country Profile Questions

§ Answer Key to Balkan Basics Country Profile Questions

§ Balkan Basics Country Profile T-chart

§ Balkan Basics Country Profile Multiple Choice Test

§ Answer Key Balkan Basics Country Profile Multiple Choice Test

§ Balkan Basics Writing Prompt

§ Balkan Basics Ideas and Content Rubric

Objectives

The student will be able to:

- identify the similarities and differences of the Balkan Republics.

- create a compare/contrast T-chart for two Balkan countries.

- write an expository essay analyzing the two Balkan Countries.

Procedures

SESSION ONE

1. Hand students the "Balkan Basics Anticipatory Set" (KWL) handout with “What I know about the Balkan Republics," "What I want to know about the Balkan Republics," and "What I learned about the Balkan Republics." Have the students fill out

the first two columns of the paper and leave "What I Learned" blank.

2. After they finish completing the form, list their responses on the overhead or the board.

3. Ask the students, "What countries represent the Balkan Republics and where are they located on the map? Do you know anyone from these countries?"

4. Show the students what countries are included in the Balkan Republics on the "Outline map of Central and Eastern Europe". (Bosnia/Herzegovina, Macedonia, Croatia, Yugoslavia, Albania and Slovenia. Explain that Yugoslavia is made up of the Republics of Serbia and Montenegro.)

5. Distribute Balkan Basics Country Profile Chart and briefly explain how to read the chart.

6. Distribute the Balkan Basics Country Profile Questions worksheet. Students answer the

questions utilizing the Balkan Basics Country Profile Chart.

7. Correct answers to the Balkan Basics Country Profiles Questions.

8. Distribute the Balkan Basics Country ProfileT-chart to students. Have students fill in the chart.

SESSION TWO

1.Distribute the Balkan Basics Writing Prompt and discuss the criteria for the writing assignment.

2. Utilizing the Balkan Basics Country Profile T-Chart and Writing Prompt, have students write the compare or contrast news article on their two Balkan countries.

3. Grade the writing assignment using the rubric provided.

SESSION THREE

1. Students finish the compare and contrast writing assignment.

2. Give students the Balkan Basics Country Profile Multiple Choice Test and the Balkan Basics Country Profile Chart.

3. Students take out the Balkan Basics Anticipatory Set and complete the "What I learned" column.

Assessment

Use the Balkan Basic Country Profile Multiple Choice Test. Eighty percent or higher will be considered mastery. The writing assignment will measured by the rubric provided. Mastery is considered 4 or higher.

Extensions

Have students make a population pyramid on one of the Balkan countries. (See “A Country’s Shape is More Than Its Borders” contained on this CD Rom to learn how to make population pyramids).

Have students research a Balkan country by using the internet.

Sources

http://cwr.utoronto.ca/Cultural/english/albania/commun.html

http://www.factmonster.com

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html

Various articles on the Balkan countries. National Geographic Magazine. February 2000 and June 1996 issues.

Balkan Basics