Lesson Plan | Active Learning | European Union

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The objectives stage is fundamental to establish a clear and directed foundation of what is expected for students to learn and achieve by the end of the class. By specifying the main objectives, students can focus their prior study efforts on key aspects of the European Union, ensuring better preparation for practical activities in the classroom. This stage also serves to align the teacher's expectations with the desired learning outcomes.

Main Objectives:

1. Empower students to identify and discuss the fundamental social, political, and economic issues surrounding the European Union.

2. Develop the ability to analyze and understand the current challenges faced by the European bloc.

Side Objectives:

1. Stimulate critical thinking and the argumentative capacity of students when discussing different perspectives on EU challenges.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction stage aims to activate students' prior knowledge about the European Union, using problem situations that prompt them to think critically and apply previously studied concepts practically. Furthermore, the contextualization of the EU helps to understand the bloc's relevance today, stimulating students' interest and curiosity about the topic.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine that a new country wants to join the European Union but faces resistance from older members due to economic issues. How could this situation be resolved considering the principles of solidarity and equality in the EU?

2. Several EU member countries are facing a migration crisis. Discuss how the bloc's open borders policy affects this situation and whether it is still sustainable in light of current social and political pressures.

Contextualization

The European Union, initially formed by six countries after World War II, now encompasses 27 member states. This bloc aims to strengthen economic and political cooperation among its members, as well as to promote peace and stability in the region. Curiously, the EU is not just an economic union but also an example of political integration, with a common currency, the euro, adopted by 19 of its members.

Development

Duration: (70 - 75 minutes)

The development stage is crucial for students to practically and interactively apply the knowledge acquired about the European Union. Through playful activities and simulations, students can better visualize and understand the complexities of social, political, and economic issues surrounding the European bloc. This approach not only reinforces learning but also develops important skills such as negotiation, argumentation, and teamwork.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - EU Summit

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop negotiation skills, teamwork, and understanding the complexities of international relations within the EU.

- Description: Students will be divided into groups representing different countries of the European Union. Each group will receive a briefing describing a current problem affecting their country, such as economic crisis, migration issues, or climate change. They will need to prepare a presentation for a simulation of the EU summit, where they will try to negotiate solutions with other countries, considering the principles of solidarity and national interest.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students, each group representing a different EU country.

• Distribute briefings with the specific problems of each country.

• Students will have 60 minutes to discuss internally and prepare a solution proposal.

• Conduct the summit simulation, where each group presents and defends their proposals.

• Allow other groups to ask questions and suggest changes to the proposals.

Activity 2 - A Product's Journey in the EU

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Understand how the European single market functions and how EU regulations influence trade and the economy.

- Description: In this activity, students will trace the journey of a product (e.g., smartphone) from its manufacture in a member country to its arrival at the final consumer. They should map all stages, identifying the EU regulations that the product must follow and discuss how they affect trade and the economy of the bloc.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to 5 students.

• Each group chooses a product to trace on its journey through the EU.

• Students research the stages of manufacturing, transport, and selling the product.

• Develop a map or flowchart showing each stage and the involved EU regulations.

• Present the map in class, explaining each stage and discussing the impacts of the regulations.

Activity 3 - The Treaties Debate

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Enhance argumentative skills and understand different perspectives on accession to the European Union.

- Description: Students will participate in a structured debate where they will defend different viewpoints on the accession of a fictional country to the European Union. They will receive beforehand information representing the arguments for and against accession and must prepare and present their arguments during the debate.

- Instructions:

• Organize the class into two large groups, one representing Pro EU and the other Anti EU.

• Distribute materials with arguments for each side.

• Allow students to work in their groups for 30 minutes to prepare their arguments.

• Start the debate, with each side having the opportunity to present their points and rebut the other side's.

• Conclude with a vote to see which side was more convincing.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this feedback stage is to allow students to articulate the knowledge acquired during practical activities and reflect on their experiences. Group discussion helps to consolidate learning, allowing students to verbalize what they have learned and hear different perspectives from their peers. This not only reinforces the content discussed but also develops communication and critical thinking skills.

Group Discussion

Start the group discussion with a brief introduction: 'Now that everyone has had the opportunity to participate in the simulated activities, it is time to reflect and share what we have learned. Let's begin discussing in groups of 5 to 10 students about the different proposed solutions and the experiences during the simulations. Remember to focus not only on the final outcome but also on the negotiation process and the challenges encountered.'

Key Questions

1. What were the biggest challenges your group faced during the simulations, and how did you overcome them?

2. How can the discussed regulations and policies be applied or modified to solve real problems in the European Union?

3. Was there any significant change in your understanding of the European Union after the activities?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The conclusion stage serves to reinforce and synthesize the content covered during the lesson, ensuring that students have a clear and consolidated understanding of the topics discussed. Additionally, it highlights the importance of the learned content in students' everyday lives, facilitating the connection between theory and practice and providing a clear view of the applicability of the concepts in the real world.

Summary

To conclude, the teacher should summarize the main points addressed during the lesson, recalling the social, political, and economic issues discussed regarding the European Union. It is essential to recap the practical activities carried out, such as the summit simulation, the journey of a product in the EU, and the debate on accession, to consolidate students' understanding.

Theory Connection

Today's lesson was structured to effectively connect theory and practice. The simulated activities allowed students to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired about the EU in practical and interactive scenarios, facilitating the understanding of concepts and reinforcing the importance of collaboration and negotiation in the international context.

Closing

Finally, it is important to highlight the relevance of studying the European Union in the current global context. Understanding the dynamics of this economic and political bloc not only enriches students' knowledge about geography and international relations but also prepares them to be critical and engaged citizens in an increasingly interconnected and multicultural world.