CIDRE Portfolio

I am Leslie White and I teach 6th grade social studies in Wake County, North Carolina. I earned my Master's Degree from NC State University in Learning Design and Technology. I enjoy traveling and learning about other cultures. I will be researching how cultural identity can be reflected through architecture by focusing on the rebuilding of Munich after World War 2.

Written Reflections:

Reflection on German Education System:


There are many similarities between the United States educational system and the German education system. Perhaps it stands to reason that the differences are what stood out to me. Germany’s cultural values of industry and contribution to society are reflected in some of these key differences.


The structure of Germany’s education system and teacher education programs differ from Lander to Lander (states) and are not overseen by a federal authority. Yet, Landers do attempt to have comparable standards. These differences can make it challenging for families who relocate and must find a new school to enroll their children. It also makes it more difficult for teachers who seek employment in a different Lander.


Teacher education programs take longer to complete in Germany than in the United States, with three to four years of university studies followed by a two-year paid training phase. The paid training includes participation in seminars and training schools. This requirement strengthens teacher preparedness. This reflects the value placed on the role of teachers and the impact they have on German youth.


Some perspectives challenge that teacher education programs in Germany should be changed to address the professional needs of teachers, including less of a focus on scholarly studies and more of a focus on methods and field work. I found that this correlates with the heavy emphasis on vocational education in the overall German education system. This was another difference that I identified between the United States and German school systems. In Germany, two-thirds of students receive vocational training. Again, this reflects the cultural value of contribution to society and a strong workforce for Germany.


Another perspective calls for a common core curriculum for teacher education throughout Germany. This would help teachers to be more mobile not only within Germany but possibly throughout Europe if comparable standards are implemented.

Two Meissen Woodsmen (1967) by Georg Baselitz
Pinakothek der Moderne

Visual Thinking Analysis:

  • What is happening in this image?
    This painting caught my attention at the Pinakothek der Moderne because of the gruesome way the dogs are shown torn apart by the barbed wire yet the soldiers seem nonreactive, show no emotion.

  • What clues helped you arrive at this conclusion?
    Clearly the dogs are severed by the barbed wire and pain is reflected in the faces of the dogs with wide eyes and open mouths as well as open torsos and blood drops. The soldiers appear to be kneeling with torsos upright looking at the dogs and possibly attempting to detach one dog but do not seem to be particularly emotional or sad but rather performing a duty. One soldier also appears to have a separation in one leg.

  • What questions do you still have?
    I wonder what the painter's message is for this painting. I interpreted this as a message of the horrors of war that affect all life, human, animal, etc. And the horrors that soldiers must face during war. However, when trying to research the painting it seems to be a pattern used in all of Baselitz's paintings of the time called "fractured" paintings in a neo-expressionism style. This style is known for intense subjectivity and rough materials. It appears he was inspired by books he had been reading about the Russian Revolution at the time. Baselitz dedicated his life to painting about past events.

Waypoint for Clio Tour:
Clio link: https://theclio.com/entry/154548

St. Peter's Tower ("Alter Peter" or Old Pete to locals)

At 91 meters tall, St. Peter's Tower (Alter Peter or Old Pete, as it is called by locals) offers the best views of Munich's Old Town. St. Peter's Church has been rebuilt more than once due to a fire in 1327 and then air raid damage during World War II. The church was originally built in the Bavarian Romanesque style and has since expanded to include Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements. The church spire, which dominates the skyline of Old Town, adds a touch of Renaissance style.

St. Peter's is the oldest parish church in Munich. Munchen, "home of the monks", originally started as a settlement in the area around a monastery which stood in the original location of St. Peter's church. The monastery was replaced by St. Peter's Church in 1158. The church was later rebuilt in 1368 after being destroyed by fire in 1327. The church and its tower were destroyed again by World War 2 air raids and later rebuilt and restored. Alter Peter, as the tower is known by locals, is located just behind Marienplatz and is known for one of the best views in Munich's Old Town. St. Peter's Tower stands 91 meters tall with 360 degree views of the city. Not only does the tower offer incredible views of the town and even views of the nearby Alps, but it houses eight bells and serves as a clocktower. The bells and clocktower were also the first to exist in Munich. Visitors can climb to the top of the tower to enjoy views of the town if they are up for tackling 306 steps.

Four WhatsApp Text Reflections, Cultural Insights from Particular Days of Trip (include related images as appropriate):

I have observed the German cultural value of structure and order in multiple ways. There is a very clear structure to traversing the city. There is a designated bike path on almost every street and pedestrians as well as biker riders are respectful of following the expectations. Both pedestrians and bike riders are also very obedient regarding the red/green light signals for crossing the street. I have not seen any locals rush across if the light changes when they have only crossed part way but rather they stop at the median and wait for the next light cycle.

Germans are not shy about correcting others, perhaps especially tourists. I experienced this first hand when the machine wouldn’t take my coin at a pay toilette. After a few tries at both turnstiles I hoped over and a man came out of nowhere to scold me. I explained that I had paid but the turnstile wouldn’t open and he was quick to tell me that I should keep trying. He found that my coin was being returned and he put it back through the slot (aggressively). Whoops! I also witnessed a local approach a fellow CIDRE participant and pick up a piece of paper from the ground near her foot outside of a museum, likely thinking she had dropped it. He looked frustrated and annoyed.

From the aerial views flying into Munich it was clear there was a very well zoned farming network. From our drive through the countryside I was able to see not only the vast farmlands but many solar panels. Despite the climate not being one of the warmest in Europe, Germany is one of the top global leaders for renewable energy through the use of solar panels.

The organization and accessibility of public transit in Munich makes transportation readily available, efficient, and easy to navigate. The U-bahn, S-bahn, and trams have maps of routes posted in every station, as well as online. I have seen stroller and bike bumpers with standing areas and rails. Stops are displayed digitally for a visual of each approaching stop and stops are also announced with audio. It is also announced if the stop has change over options for those needing to switch from U-bahn to S-bahn or vice versa. I have seen many parents with strollers on transit and also saw a passenger with a mobility cane and guide dog wearing a vest that said blind.

Mapped Representation: Munich's Old Town, Rebuilt After World War 2 Destruction

Most of the historic center of Munich was severely destroyed by air raids during World War II. Rebuilding was done in the original style to preserve the cultural heritage of Munich rather than modernizing during the new construction phase. This Google Map Tour highlights historically significant buildings found in Munich's Old Town area that were rebuilt in their original architectural style.

Select a purple point on the map below to begin the tour of historic Old Town.

Inquiry Based: Padlet Curation - Architecture and Culture (Munich, Nuremberg, Regensburg)

Augmented Reality: 360° Tour of St. Sebaldus Church, Nuremberg

St. Sebaldus is Nuremberg's oldest parish church. Construction of the church began in 1229 and was completed in 1279. It was built in the Medieval Romanesque and Baroque styles. Although the church was heavily damaged during World War II most of the interior artwork was moved to shelters prior to the bombings and survived unharmed. The church was rebuilt in its original medieval style in 1957. Use the Thinglink below to explore the interior of St. Sebaldus and some of the artwork that survived the war.

St. Sebaldus Thinglink.mp4

ThinGLink video tour

If the interactive 360° Thinglink image above does not give you access to view, please use this video tour.

Written/Multimodal: ArcGIS StoryMaps - Rebuilding Munich

This ArcGIS StoryMap highlights some of the most significant architecture that was rebuilt according to the original plans following the destruction from World War 2 air raids.

Lesson Plan:


Standards:

6.B.1.2 Explain how artistic expressions reflect the values of civilizations in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas


6.H.1.2 Explain the enduring impact of the achievements of ancient civilizations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas in terms of the relevance of present-day society.


6.G.1.3 Explain how innovation and technology influenced the migration and settlement of people and the flow of goods and ideas in various civilizations and empires in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.


Learning Targets:

  • explain how the values of a civilization can be seen through their literature, art, entertainment and architecture.

  • explain how the achievements of past civilizations have influenced our world today.


Vocabulary:

Artifact

Primary source

Secondary source

Cultural value

Architecture

Infrastructure

Natural resources

Cultural Preservation

Cultural Heritage


Warm Up Questions/Bellringer:


  1. When you hear the words cultural values, how do you apply that to your own life?

  2. What is something that your culture values? (This could be something that is important to your family)


Lesson:

Show video intro clip and have students answer the following questions:

  • Define cultural values in your own words:

  • What determines cultural values?

  • Why is it beneficial to understand the cultural values of others?


Display image of pyramids of ancient Egypt with the following questions:

  • Imagine what it would have been like to participate in a building project during ancient times.

  • What factors would need to be considered when building a pyramid in ancient Egypt?

  • What cultural values of ancient Egyptians can we identify?


Share a presentation about major architectural achievements from ancient civilizations.

  • Ziggurats, pyramids, Greek columns, Colosseum w/ Etruscan arches…

  • Discuss why each achievement was significant for the times and what cultural values were represented

Explain ‘cultural preservation’.

Group discussion: Why is cultural preservation important?


Have students use their Chromebooks to view the Google My Maps of Old Town Munich.

Questions to think about and discuss:

How do you think each structure was created?

What natural resources were required for each?

What cultural values are reflected for each building?


Remind students what cultural preservation and cultural heritage mean.


Explain the devastation that World War 1 and World War 2 caused.

Have students view the ArcGIS StoryMaps of Rebuilding Munich.

Questions for discussion:

Why might Germany have decided to rebuild the city center in the original style?

What does this reflect about the cultural values of the people in Germany?

Task: Students will create a notice/wonder chart as they view the before and after photos from the story map.


Assignment:

Students will write a summary of how cultural values and cultural heritage can be reflected in the rebuilding of Munich after WW2.