History Learning Journey Research Part II

In your groups, conduct a research on the following themes/events/places. You need to produce a write up on the subjects assigned. The write up will be given to the other groups on the tour. Your group will also be in charge of uploading the findings and reflection for the day on the blog.

Please note the following points:

1. Please acknowledge/credit all your sources
2. Please do not plagiarise
3. Please make your entry interesting.
E.g. To include pictures/maps/illustrations

Group 1

Theme:

1. Dachau Concentration Camp

Guiding Questions:
What was Dachau Concentration Camp?
Why was it build?
What happened here?
When and how was it liberated?


2. Touring Munich

Guiding Questions:
What are the major attractions in Munich?
Why are they interesting/significant?


Group 2

Theme:
1. Durnberg Salt Mines

Guiding Questions:

What was Durenberg Salt Mines
Why was salt found there?
How did the discovery of salt affect the region?
How has salt mining changed over time?

2. Touring Slazburg

Guiding Questions
What are the major attractions in Salzburg?
Why are they interesting/significant?


Group 3

Theme:

1. Nuremburg Trial or Nuremburg Rally

Guiding Questions:
What is Nuremburg Trial/Rally about?
Describe the process
What were the results/impacts/significance?

2. Touring Nuremburg

Guiding Questions:
What are the major attractions in Nuremburg?
Why are they interesting/significant?


Group 4


Theme:

1. European Union

Guiding Questions:
Why was the European Union (EU) established?
What are their achievements?
What are their strength and weakness?
What can ASEAN learn from EU?

2. Touring Prague

Guiding Questions:
What are the major attractions in Prague?
Why are they interesting/significant?


Group 5


Theme:

1. Elbe River and floods

Guiding Questions:
Describe the Elbe River
Describe its flooding and impact
What are the preventive measures taken now?

2. Touring Prague

Guiding Questions:
What are the major attractions in Dresden?
Why are they interesting/significant?


Group 6

Theme:

1. Potsdam Conference

Guiding Questions:
What was the Potsdam Conference about?
Who were involved?
What were the implications

2. Touring Berlin

Guiding Questions:
What are the major attractions in Berlin?
Why are they interesting/significant?

Final Pre-trip Meeting

Dear students

Please note that there will be a meeting to prepare for the school visit in Germany on Wednesday next week from 8.00AM to 11.00AM in the school library. Attendance is compulsory.

Please be present in school attire (uniform, PE t-shirt, etc) and bring writing materials (stationery, paper, etc).

Mr Teo

Comments on Pre-trip Assignments

Hi all

Well done to those groups which have posted the findings for your first pre-trip assignment. For those which are behind time, you must do so as soon as possible.

Two comments on the findings of your research put up so far.

1) The sources of your research have mainly been from the Internet and have ranged from just one source to numerous sources. While the Internet can be a useful source of information, it also contains many inaccuracies and unverified facts. In reading up for the assignment, one way to ensure the accuracy of the information of what you all have gathered is to corroborate it with different sources. So do base your research on more than one source.

2) In putting up what you all have learnt about the topics assigned, it is very convenient to simply take whatever relevant information is needed from the websites you have visited and post them. However, the more appropriate way to go about completing your assignment is to read up the information, extract and summarise what you need (in your own words) to address your topics or answer the guiding questions, post these summarised information and then cite the sources you have used. In using any photographs or pictures, do check for copyrights infringement issues and remember to cite the sources.

For any clarifications or queries regarding the pre-trip assignments, do raise them in this main blog by leaving a comment.

Hope you all will enjoy reading up and working on your assigned topics!

Mr Teo

Dear Pupils,

There are 5 things for you to take note…

1. Your Pre-Trip Research are already up, please adhere to the submission dateline for every topic given and the conditions that we have asked of you. Please conduct your research with rigour.

2. Please come up with appropriate title for your Group Blog if you have not done so.

3. Your room allocation…

Female

Eunice Chin Yan Ling - Deborah
Chua Jia Ling - Hwee Min
Jess Ong Li Ling - Josephine
Koh Pei Qing - Kelly
Song Wanqi - Jia Yi
Zoey Lim Hui Wen - Jingmin
Ho Hor Kuan - Vivien
Zainarah d/o Salahudeen - Chanel
Nyan Fei Ting - Angie

Male

Muhamad Matin Muhamad Nor - Zul
Chia Teck Sheng - Ben
Ho See Cheng - Ryan
Pang Qing-Rong Amos - Shaun
Mohamad Fahmi bin Hamid - Josh/Yu Ping



4. Please ensure that you have gotten the necessary jabs at least 2 weeks before our departure to Germany if you are planning to do so. You may go to the nearest clinic to inquire about the jabs you may need to take, alternatively, you can go to Tan Tock Seng Hospital Travel Clinic. They will advise you on this matter.

5. For those who have yet to get your winter clothing essentials, there is a winter sale at a factory outlet, 15, Bukit View. It is located around the Bedok Industrial Park.

BEDOK VIEW SECONDARY SCHOOL
LEARNING JOURNEY TO GERMANY, AUSTRIA, CZECH REPUBLIC
Pre-Trip research

Part 1

Instructions:
In your groups, research on the following topics weekly and post your findings on your blog. Some questions are provided to guide you but do not let it limit your scope.

Please note the following points:

1. Please acknowledge / credit all your sources
2. Please do not plagiarise
3. Please make your entry interesting. For example, include pictures / maps / illustrations

Group 1 and 2


No. 1

Topics: Demographics and Culture in Germany

Guiding Questions:

- What is the population of Germany?
- What are the major languages?
- Explain the structure of the government in Germany.
- What are the different / main religions in Germany?
- Explain the education system in Germany.
- Describe German cuisines.
- What are some German festivals?
- What are some German folktales?

Complete By: 18 Nov 2009


No. 2

Topic: History & geography of Germany

Guiding Questions:

- Describe roughly the history of Germany up to 1918.
- How is the country divided / organised today?
- What are the major physical features and formations in Germany?
- What are the different natural vegetations in Germany?
- What are the major types of economies / industries in Germany?

Complete By: 25 Nov 2009


No. 3

Topic: Rise of Hitler and Nazi

Guiding Questions:

- What does Nazism represent?
- Explain Fascism.
- Describe the rise of Hitler (the fascist movement – mid 1920s to early 1930s)
- Explain the Beer Hall Putsch
- Describe the rise of Hitler (consolidation of power – early 1930s to late 1930s)

Complete By: 2 Dec 2009

Group 3 and 4

No. 1

Topics: Demographics and Culture in Austria

Guiding questions:

- What is the population of Austria?
- What are the major languages?
- Explain the government structure in Austria.
- What are the different / main religions in Austria?
- Explain the education system in Austria.
- Describe Austrian cuisines.
- What are some Austrian festivals?
- What are some Austrian folktales?

Complete by: 18 Nov 2009


No. 2

Topic: History & geography of Austria

Guiding Questions:

- Describe roughly the history of Austria.
- How is the country divided / organized today?
- What are the major physical features and formations in Austria?
- What are the different natural vegetation in Austria?
- What are the major types of economies / industries in Austria?

Complete By: 25 Nov 2009


No. 3

Topic: Nazi Rule

Guiding Questions:

- How did Nazi rule/control the people?
- Who were the SA and SS?
- What was the social impact of Nazi’s rule?
- What is a concentration camp?
- What was Holocaust?
- Explain Nuremberg Law?
- Why was the Jews targeted?
- What was the final solution?

Complete By: 2 Dec 2009

Group 5 and 6

No. 1

Topic: Demographics and Culture in Czech Republic

Guiding questions:

- What is the population in Czech?
- What are the major languages?
- Explain the government structure in Czech Republic.
- What are the different / main religions in Czech Republic?
- Explain the education system in Czech Republic.
- Describe Czech Cuisine.
- What are some Czech festivals?
- What are some Czech folktales?

Complete by: 18 Nov 2009


No. 2

Topic: History & geography of Czech Republic

Guiding questions:

- Describe roughly the history of the Czech Republic (and also Czechoslovakia).
- How is the country divided / organized today?
- What are the major physical features and formations in Czech?
- What are the different natural vegetation in Czech?
- What are the major types of economies / industries in Czech?

Complete by: 25 Nov 2009


No. 3

Topic: Post War World

Guiding Questions:

- Explain the ideological differences between Democracy, Capitalism, Communism and Socialism.
- Explain the origins of Cold War.
- Was Cold War a war?
- Describe the impacts of the Cold War.
- What was the peak of the Cold War (Germany divided)?
- How and why did the the Cold War ended?

Complete by: 2 Dec 2009

Useful Phrases

I don't speak German - Ich sprech nicht Deutsch / ikh shpray-khe nikht doytsch

Do you speak English? - Sprechen Sie Englisch? / shpray-khen zee eng-lish

I don't understand - Ich verstehe nicht / ikh fair-shtay-e nikht

Can you repeat that? - Konnten Sie das wiederholen? / kurn-ten zee dus vee-der-ho-len

What's that? - Was ist das? / vus ist dus

My name is - ich heire / ikh hye-se

This is - Das ist / dus ist

Can you help me? - Konnen sie mir helfen? / kur-nen zee mir hel-fen?

Where is/are...? - Wo ist/sind...? / vo ist/zint...?

How do i get to...? - Wie komme ich zum / vee kom-me ikh tsoom

I would like... - Ich mochte / ikh murkh-te

How much is this? - Wie viel kostet das? / vee-feel kos-tet dus

Greetings -

Hello - Guten Tag / gooten tahk

Good Evening - Guten Abend / goo-ten ah-bent

Goodnight - Gute Nacht / goo-te nakht

Goodbye - Auf Wiedersehen / owf vee-der-zayen

Hi/Bye - Tshuss / tschews

See you soon! - Bis bald! / bis bahlt

Yes - Ja / Yah

No - Nein / nine

Please - Bitte / bit-te

Thank you - Danke / dun-ke

You're welcome - Gern geschehen / gairn ge-shay-en

How are you - Wie geht es ihnen / vee gayt es ee-nen

Fine, thanks - Danke, gut / dun-ke goot

Pardon? - Wie bitte / Vee bit-te

Excuse me - Entshuldigung / ent-shool-dee-gung

Sorry - Tut mir leid / toot mir lite

Leaving your blog address

Please leave a comment after this post. You need to state your NAME, CLASS and BLOG ADD.

Do's and Don'ts

Communication -

• Germans normally address each other with their surnames and "Sie". Only young people and those who know each other very well would address each other by their first names and "Du". If you have English conversation with Germans, it is o.k. to call them by their first name even if you're not on a first name-basis with them in German, because there is no such distinction in English. Talking German, however, you should always ask before you decide to take this step.
• Germans are great hand-shakers, and they like to do so both when arriving and when departing. Even small children are taught to shake hands because it is simply thought to be very polite. Only young people and good friends may substitute hand-shaking with another ritual. However, kissing is generally considered inappropriate in a business setting.
• Be prepared to listen to a longer discourse, when you ask somebody "how are you?" Germans normally use this as a literal question that expects a literal answer, in contrast to the common English usage of "How's it going?" simply meaning "Hi". It may, therefore, be considered strange or superficial to ask the question and keep on moving without waiting for an answer. Many people, when asked, will, in fact, give you a very detailed answer, including why they are not doing well at that moment!
• Moreover, the German Culture is highly fact-oriented. "Small talk" with strangers does not have a significant social function in German culture.

Restaurants -

• You generally seat yourself unless you see a hostess. Water is served as mineral water and charged accordingly – same price as a coke for instance. It is not a common practice to ask for tap water in a restaurant. Also, there are no refills in Germany: When you ask for a second cup of coffee in a restaurant you pay full price for the second cup; same with pop, no refills. Do not ask for a ‘doggy bag’ either. Most restaurants won’t accommodate your request.

Table Manners -

• If you practice good table manners at home, they will suffice in Germany. Do not worry about how to hold your fork or where to place your napkin. However, there are a few things that you should keep in mind: It is polite to wish 'Guten Appetit!' before starting your meal. During the meal, Germans place their hands visibly on the table. Chewing with open mouth as well as belching after a good meal will rather embarass Germans at the the table. Furthermore, if we come to dinner with others, we leave with them also.

Fun-facts...

There are over 82 million people in Germany. It is the most densely populated country in the world.

You can be hit by a supermodel on a bike several times a day!

There are more than 150 castles in Germany! There are a few that contain aristocrats but most are hotels, restaurants and ruins.

Germany has over 300 kinds of bread!

Germans answer the phone with their surname instead of “Hello.”

Germans are nosey about their employers. They want to know if they are married and see their photos!

Schools in Germany finish at 1.pm.

Dogs are treated like kings. They can go anywhere. They even have their own pools!

Watch out for the toilet paper. It feels like paper towel!

There is a German artist who turns dried cow manure into wall clocks and small sculptures! Wow…that is recycling!

In World War II, a German sub was sunk by a broken toilet!

Adolf Hitler helped create the Volkswagen Beetle!