History, Politics / Civics
4669652 / 5560322
Europe
From Ancient Civilisations to the EU
According to many scientists, the beginnings of Europe go back to antiquity, and there specifically to the freedom and democracy of the Greeks. Others consider the foundations laid as late as in the Middle Ages. But the settlement of the area we call Europe today began far earlier. The key periods of our European history are to explain how Europe became what it is today.
Biting cold, oppressive heat, devastating drought and extreme climate shifts triggered the extinction of Neanderthal man, whose spread was limited to Europe and the Middle East, as well as the triumph of Homo sapiens, the intelligent human being. According to our current state of knowledge, mankind had its origins in north-eastern Africa. It is assumed that the use of fire as the first step to control of the environment and the development of language led to the gradual spread of mankind from there. Homo sapiens arrived in Europe about 40,000 years ago.
Curriculum-centred and oriented towards educational standards
Matching
Computer Games
This film covers the topic of computer games in a variety of ways and from many different angles. Apart from the fascina- tion of computer games for users, the historical development as well as the production of computer games are described. The established genres are introduced, the guidelines of the German BPjM are explained. In light of recent public discussions, a neutral overview of the pros and cons of playing computer games is given, and different kinds of player behaviour are outlined. In this film, the pupils will recognise many aspects of their favourite pastime that encourage an independent, constructive use of this medium and reinforce their media competency. The film and teaching material are very closely related to the real-life situation.
Peer Mediation
Lena and Max attend the 7th form. Max is new in class. During a break, Max notices that Lena and her friend are laughing at him again. Max loses his temper! He slaps Lena in the face. That hurts and Lena runs back into the classroom with a red cheek. The growing conflict between the two has escalated. Just like Lena and Max, every day pupils all over Germany have rows with each other. At the Heinrich Hertz Gymnasium in Thuringia, pupils have been trained as mediators for years. At set hours, they are in a room made available by the school specifically for mediation purposes. The film describes the growing conflict between Max and Lena and shows a mediation using their example. In doing so, the terms “conflict” and “peer mediation” are explained in a non-technical way. The aims of peer mediation and its progress in five steps as well as the mediators’ tasks are illustrated. The art of asking questions and “mirroring”, which the mediators must know, is described and explained. Together with the comprehensive accompanying material, the DVD is a suitable medium to introduce peer mediation at your school, too.
Tolerance
“Tolerance means being generous and kind to other people and helping them, too.”