Karin Gündisch

Das Paradies liegt in Amerika                               

Links:

Task 1:

 Choose one of the following topics

1. Das Schiff "Der große Kurfürst"
2. Die Geschichte der Siebenbürger Sachsen
3. Die Erfahrung der Neuen Welt am Beispiel Youngstown, Ohio

and give an overview about it.

Include answers to the five "W- questions"( Wer? Wie? Wann? Wo? Warum?)! Present your topic in form of an ten slides Power Point Presentation, each slide containing related pictures/graphics. The second slide should introduce the topic and the next ones present the W- Fragen itself. End your presentation with a final, personal reaction. Do not forget to name your sources on the last slide.

Viel Spaß!

Sample student Powerpoints:

Der Große Kurfürst

Youngstown

Siebenbürger Sachsen

Power Point Presentation Evaluation Form

Task 2:

Compose a letter from a virtual German Immigrant to Youngstown and vicinity. Choose one of the three scenarios below:

1. A happy immigrant, content with his/her situation
2. A somewhat happy immigrant, describing the conditions, having a somehow positive outlook in spite of hardships
3. A disappointed immigrant, facing extreme conditions, wanting to go back home

Planning:

• Find a sample correspondence for your letter, and study the format of the letter, the structure, necessary vocabulary
• take notes in German
• look up vocabulary
• plan your situation
• organize notes

Writing:

• start with a draft
• have a peer proofread your draft
• write your final copy (about 150 words)

Task 3

Compare life "in der Heimat" to "Im Lande des Wohlstands".

Planning:

• study the book to find descriptions of living conditions
• divide into two groups
• make two charts by first listing categories, such as housing, clothes, food, medical care, children care, etc. Discuss the categories before collecting information
• collect information as detailed as possible

Discussion:

• have a class discussion and compare the two charts
• divide the categories into larger categories, such as materialistic, ideological, etc.
• discuss which categories comprise a "better life"

Task 4

Chart the "Aufstieg" or "Abstieg" of the Bonfert family in Youngstown

Planning:

• decide on categories which would show their rise or fall, such as "Geld", "Familie", "Wohnung", "Gesundheit"
• make individual ladder charts to list events in chronological order
• you may add categories as you go
• indicate with arrows whether the are rising or falling conditions

Discussion:

• Present your charts to the class
• Decide whether the family is better off, or not
• Which categories seem more important to you?

Try to predict the future of the family

Idee & Design: Kathrin Gierscher & Joachim Körner, 10/13/14