History: Major Historical Events: Wars, revolutions, movements for social change, turning points

Turning Points in History: When the World Changed

Learning Goals:

• Learn new words about important events in history.
• Talk about wars, revolutions, and changes that made a difference.
• Read about the Berlin Wall coming down.
• Listen to a news report about a famous leader being freed.
• Write about an important historical event.

Key Words:

• Event: Something important that happened.
• Revolution: A big change in government or society.
• War: A big fight between countries or groups of people.
• Movement: A group of people working together to change something.
• Turning point: A moment when things changed in a big way.

Let’s Talk About It!

1. What are some big events that happened in the past? (Think about wars, inventions, discoveries, etc.)
2. Have you heard of the Berlin Wall or Nelson Mandela?
3. Why is it important to learn about events from the past?

Let’s Read!

In 1989, a big wall in Berlin, Germany, was torn down. This wall had separated families and friends for many years. The day the wall fell was a turning point. It meant people could be free again.

Questions About the Reading:

1. What was the Berlin Wall?
2. What happened in 1989?
3. Why was the fall of the Berlin Wall important?

Listen and Learn!

(Teacher plays a short clip of a news report about Nelson Mandela’s release from prison. Focus on his struggle against apartheid and what his release meant for South Africa.)

Talk with a Partner!

One of you is a journalist. The other is a person who lived through an important historical event. The journalist asks questions about the event, and the person shares their experiences.

Example:

• Journalist: “Can you tell me what you remember about the day the Berlin Wall fell?”
• Eyewitness: “It was amazing! There were so many people celebrating in the streets. It felt like a new beginning.”

Homework:

Write a short paragraph about a historical event that you find interesting. Why is it important? What happened?

Extra Fun:

If you can, find pictures or videos of the historical event you wrote about. Share them with the class!