Discovering History 20th Century Biographies:World Statesmen ...

20th Century Biographies: World Statesmen
Teacher’s Guide
• “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
• “They cannot take away our self-respect if we do not give it to them.”
• “It may be long before the law of love will be recognized in international affairs. The
machineries of government stand between and hide the hearts of one people from those of
another.”
8. Nobel Prize: Alfred Nobel was a famous inventor and endowed the prizes that bear his name.
Each year on December 10—the anniversary of Nobel’s death—an award ceremony is held in
Oslo, Norway, and a new selection of Nobel laureates receives a medal, a diploma, and a
monetary prize. Have students use print and Web resources to learn more about the man
behind this highly regarded award: Who was Alfred Nobel? Where was he born? Why did he
grow up in Russia? While studying in Paris, what substance did Alfred Nobel become
interested in? How did he think it could be used? How did he formulate dynamite? Why was
Nobel once described as “Europe’s richest vagabond”? What do the Nobel Prizes reward?
When was the first prize awarded? There are six Nobel Prize categories. What are they? Why is
a peace prize included as one of the categories? How do awards like the Nobel Prize encourage
excellence? In the students’ opinion, are awards such as the Nobel Prize important? Which of
the statesmen portrayed in the video received the Nobel Peace Prize? For what achievement?
The following Web sites provide useful information:
• Alfred Nobel’s Life and Work
http://nobelprize.org/nobel/alfred-nobel/biographical/life-work/gradeschool.html
• Nobel Prize History
www.infoplease.com/spot/99nobel1.html
9. Written report: Ask students to select one of the five statesmen presented in the program for
further research. Assign them to write a report summarizing their findings. The report should
include a paragraph concerning the statesman’s accomplishments and legacy as well as a final
opinion paragraph discussing the overall success or failure of his leadership. The required
length of reports should be tailored to the students’ age and grade level.
Assessment
Use the following three-point rubric to evaluate students’ work during this lesson.
• 3 points: Students effectively analyzed and discussed the Munich Pact, the Nobel Prize,
traits of leadership, and each of the statesmen in all contexts requested, conducting all
required research in preparation; demonstrated a clear grasp of places and events through
the use of maps; produced a complete report about a statesman, including all of the
requested information.
• 2 points: Students analyzed and discussed the Munich Pact, the Nobel Prize, traits of
leadership, and each of the statesmen in most contexts requested, conducting most required
research in preparation; demonstrated an adequate grasp of places and events through the
use of maps; produced a satisfactory report about a statesman, including a major portion of
the requested information.
Published by Discovery Education. © 2006. All rights reserved.
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