Topic: Life in the State of Bolesław I the Brave. Congress of Gniezno

Author of the script: Katarzyna Kuczyńska

Target group

4th grade student of the elementary school

Core curriculum

II. The most important elements of Polish cultural heritage. Student:

3. links the most important monuments and symbols of Polish culture with the appropriate regions.

IV. Characters and events of great importance for the shaping of Polish cultural identity. Student situates in time and tells the story of:

2. Bolesław I the Brave – the first king – and Gniezno Congress

General aim of education

The student gets to know the circumstances of Bolesław Chrobry's coronation as the king of Poland and Congress of Gniezno.

Key competences

• communication in the mother tongue;

• communication in foreign languages;

• learning to learn;

• social and civic competences.

Lesson objectives

Student will learn:

• talk about the history and significance of the Gniezno congress;

• characterize the figure of Saint Wojciech;

• explain that in different historical periods the hierarchy of values has changed and what once was right, today may have a completely different meaning;

• talk about the complex nature of the social division of labor and the roles of some social groups in Piast Poland.

Methods/techniques

• programmed methods: using e‑textbook;

• problematic methods: activating methods: discussion, case method;

• practical methods: working with text, exercises concerned;

• exposing methods: explanations and comments from the teacher.

Forms of work

• collective activity;

• activity in groups;

• individual activity.

Teaching aids

• e‑textbook;

• notebook and crayons/ felt‑tip pens;

• interactive whiteboard, tablets/computers.

Before classes

The teacher asks the students to read an extract from the e‑textbook “Living in the first Piast state”, the description of the welcome of Emperor Otto III by Bolesław I the Brave in Gniezno – “Polish Chronicle” by Gallus Anonymous and extract “Bolesław I the Brave and Adalbert of Prague”.

Lesson plan overview (Process)

Introduction

1. The teacher determines the purpose of the classes. He/she gives the students the criteria for success.

2. On the basis of the (previously read) text on life in the country of the first Piasts, the students list the persons (groups) mentioned in the text and participating in the state community: the ruler, the courtiers, the officials, drużyna (warriors), the peasants (farmers), the craftsmen. The results are recorded on the board.

Realization

1. The teacher invites the students for the preparation of the Gniezno convention. On the basis of the (previously read) description of the welcome of Emperor Otto III by Bolesław I the Brave in Gniezno, the class draws up a slogan scenario (plan) for the convention (e.g. greeting, presentation of drużyna, talks with Otto, signing documents, exchanging gifts and coronation, feast). The scenario is visible on the board.

2. The students select or draw lots for roles of different characters and groups (see point 1). Based on the scenario and the description of the welcome of Emperor Otto III by Bolesław I the Brave in Gniezno, which was read earlier, the students, in selected groups, devise and describe their contribution to the organization of various parts of the convention (e.g. the ruler – conducts meetings with officials and commanders, the courtiers – prepare costumes, gifts and the feast, the officials – prepare documents, drużyna – prepares weapons and exercises for the presentation, the peasants – supply agricultural produce, the craftsmen – supply their products). Individual groups and characters present results of their work. On the board, next to each part of the scenario, written are descriptions of the contribution of particular groups and characters to the preparation of the given part.

3. Students perform Exercise 1. The teacher comments on the exercises performed.

4. The teacher proceeds to the question of the missionary journey of Adalbert of Prague, to whose grave Emperor Otto III made his pilgrimage in the year 1000. The teacher discusses the history of Adalbert of Prague with students. Then, the teacher asks for performance of Exercise 2. The teacher provides feedback and checks the correctness of completed tasks.

Summary

1. The teacher assesses the students’ work during the lesson taking into account their contribution and involvement. For this purpose, the teacher can prepare an evaluation questionnaire both for self‑assessment and for the assessment of the teacher’s and other students’ work.

2. The teacher presents the content of the homework and explains it: Imagine that there is a plan to give your school the name of Adalbert of Prague. You are divided into supporters and opponents of this idea (the teacher arbitrarily divides the students into two groups). Referring to your knowledge about the martyr and your beliefs about what values should be important for young people today, give arguments against and in favor of the idea of giving the school the name of Adalbert of Prague. If possible, the teacher can launch a special forum where students can post their voices.

Summary of the most important contents of the lesson

1. Presenting the picture of selected aspects of life in Piast Poland.

2. Showing the importance of the Gniezno Congress.

3. Learning about Adalbert of Prague.

The following terms and recordings will be used during this lesson

Terms

Texts and recordings

Boleslav I the Brave – Poland’s first king

Boleslav, nicknamed the Brave, was the son of Mieszko I and Doubravka. He consolidated Christianity in Poland. He also helped organise a Christianising Mission to lands inhabited by Prussian tribes (today’s Warmia and Masuria). The mission was led by the Bohemian bishop Adalbert. The Prussians killed Adalbert, and Boleslav bought out his remnants and buried them in Gniezno. Soon thereafter, Adalbert was canonised as saint by the Church. In 1000, Emperor Otto III made an official pilgrimage to the saint’s grave. The Polish Duke received the Emperor in Gniezno and hosted him with great honours. Otto III honoured Boleslav by placing his imperial diadem on the Polish Duke’s head. This gesture was is interpreted as the Emperor’s consent to Boleslav’s coronation as king. At the Congress of Gniezno, Gniezno was raised to the rank of archbishopric. Three subordinate bishoprics were established in Wrocław, Cracow, and Kołobrzeg. Otto III died soon afterwards, however, and Polish‑German relations deteriorated. Throughout his rule, Boleslav I the Brave waged wars against his neighbours and conquered new lands. In 1025, he ultimately affected the coronation and became the first Polish king. Soon thereafter, he died.