Topic: Modern patriotism

Author: Anna Rabiega

Addressee:

8th‑grade primary school student.

Core curriculum:

VIII. National/ethnic community and homeland

The student:

3) analyzes the symbols of the Republic of Poland; explains, what patriotic attitude of a young and adult person should consist in.

The general aim of education:

The student expands the content of his own local, regional, ethnic and civic identity.

Learning outcomes:

The student:

• explains that patriotism takes many forms and can be expressed not only during wartimes.

• experiences patriotism expressed through art and discusses that form of expression.

• names and explains various types of modern patriotism: cultural, social and economic one.

Key competences:

• communicating in a foreign language,

• digital competence,

• learning to learn,

• social and civic competences,

• sense of initiative and entrepreneurship,

• cultural awareness and expression.

Teaching methods:

• brainstorming,

• mind map,

• snowball method,

• discussion,

• teaching conversation using interactive boards, movies, photographs.

Forms of work:

• self‑learning,

• work in pairs,

• group work,

• whole‑class activity.

Material & equipment needed:

• computers with loudspeakers/headphones and internet access,

• multimedia resources from the e‑textbook,

• interactive whiteboard/blackboard, felt‑tip pen/a piece of chalk.

Lesson plan overview (Process):

Introduction:

1. The teacher presents the goal of the lesson: You will learn about various forms of expressing patriotism, from alternative to traditional ones.

2. The teacher asks the students, what they associate the word “patriotism” with. He informs the students that they will be working using the brainstorming method, and write down their observations in a form of a mind map. If necessary, the teacher explains the methods. He appoints a facilitator, who will write the students’ ideas on the board, and sets up the time to complete the task.

During the work on the assignment, the teacher may ask some leading questions, e.g.:

• What kind of actions does a person we call patriotic undertakes?

• Is it only possible to be a patriot during wartimes, when our homeland needs to be defended from an outside enemy?

• Can you be a patriot during peaceful times?

• Is patriotism trendy?

• Are there any young patriots or is it just a thing of our grandparents?

After the creative phase, the students verify their suggestions. A willing/selected student sums up the work of the class.

Depending on the order the lessons on patriotism are carried out, you can ask a couple of willing students to read their homework about a contemporary patriot from their neighbourhood instead of this task.

Implementation:

1. The teacher asks the students to imagine that they are leaving Poland for a long time. He asks them, what patriotic habits they would take with them. He informs the students they will be working using the snowball method. He asks the students to perform the task using an interactive board “My patriotic suitcase from the abstract “Modern patriotism”. Then the students compare their suggestions in pairs, and find a joint solution. The students gather in fours, confront their positions in a similar way and create a new setting in the interactive board. In the next stage of the class the students gather in even larger groups, until the whole class has spoken about the problem. All the suggestions gathered during the process together with the arguments should be written down on the board.

2. The teacher asks the students to split into four groups. He informs them that the task of each group will be to present various kinds of modern patriotism, including their advantages and disadvantages. He sets up the time to complete the task.

The groups may choose one of the subjects:

• the projects of the students of the Academy of Fine Arts (the movie and pictures),

• the graffiti art (the photo gallery presenting patriotic murals),

• the activities of the Academy of Modern Patriotism,

• modern patriotic songs

The students may use the content of the abstract, but also other internet sources.

3. The groups present the results of their work. The the teacher initiates a discussion on which of the forms of modern patriotism seems most attractive to the students or which they identify most with.

Summary:

1. The teacher asks a willing student to summarize the lesson from his point of view. He asks other students if they would like to add anything to their colleague's statements.

2. Homework proposal:

a. Find a couple of contemporary expressions of patriotism, that could be used during school functions connected with important national and state anniversaries instead of the well known and previously used pieces.

b. Listen to the abstract recording to review the material and new vocabulary. Then do the vocabulary exercise at the end of the chapter.

The following terms and recordings will be used during this lesson

Terms

Texts and recordings

Modern patriotism

Modern patriotism breaks with the erroneous belief that love for Poland is something archaic or shameful. On the contrary, the attitude of respect and devotion to our homeland today has not lost its relevance. At the same time, the term „modern” suggests that some traditional categories and ways of cultivating patriotism shaped during the struggle for independence should be supplemented with a new look today. Patriotism can take many forms. Students of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw have different associations about modern patriotism. Take a look at their projects.

Modern patriotism manifests itself in the form of graffiti, too. Take a look at a photo gallery taking this approach at patriotism.

Another interesting possibility of expressing love to our homeland are the activities of the Academy of Modern Patriotism (Akademia Nowoczesnego Patriotyzmu). The projects implemented under the auspices of the programme connect tradition with modernity: they cherish the beauty of cultural heritage, prepare for responsible self‑government and social responsibility, and promote economic patriotism. Check them out on the Academy's website.

Patriotic songs are not only old songs from a yellowed songbook, but also modern hits. Their authors argue with history, describe the beauty of the country, confess their love for their homeland, but also ridicule national flaws. Many songs are ambiguous, they provoke reflection, or are a voice in a discussion. For sure you know some songs like that. If not, there is a list in your e‑textbook. You can also search for them on the Internet. Vote in class for the song that you like best. Look for new music tracks that talk about love for Poland, its history, great Poles. These can be songs from the last ten years. Listen to these songs. Create your own Top List of Patriotic Songs. You can use this list during celebrations during national holidays.