1. Cultural Geography of Europe: Eastern Europe

2. Cultural Geography of Europe: Eastern Europe
Essential Questions: How has physical geography affected where people have settled in Europe?
Learning Target: IWBAT explain how Eastern Europe’s culture is unique.
Formative Assessment(s): What are three aspects of Eastern European culture?

3. bellwork
What five countries do you know are in Europe but we haven’t covered them in Southern, Western, or Northern Europe? In other words, which countries are in “Eastern Europe”?

4. Fun facts about Macedonia

5. classwork In groups of 2-4, read about Population Patterns on page 313
Write and answer the following questions in your notes:
What three Slavic groups make up Eastern Europe?
How many countries are in Eastern Europe?
Name them.
Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Bulgaria, AND Moldova, Romania, Belarus, Kosovo, 15!
Where does most of the population live in Eastern Europe?

6. classwork
In groups of 2-4, read about History and Government on pages
Write and answer the following questions in your notes:
Which empire controlled the Balkan Peninsula for 500 years?
What was the earliest Slavic state?
What religion was spread through the Byzantine Empire?
Who overthrew the Ottoman Empire?
What political party did Eastern Europe become after WWII?
What happened in Eastern Europe in 1989?

7. Fun Facts about The Ottoman Empire
Harems were central to Ottoman lifestyle. Contrary to Western interpretation of the word, ‘harem’ is actually a term of respect. It means ‘sacred,’ and defines the inner sanctum of a household or establishment.
The Ottomans themselves were Muslims, however they did not force the peoples they conquered to convert. They allowed for Christians and Jews to worship without persecution. 
The Sultan and his many wives lived in the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. The Sultan would move to a different room in the palace every night because he was scared of being assassinated.
The elite battle troops of the Sultan were called Janissaries. These soldiers were selected from Christian families at a young age. They were considered slaves, but were treated well and paid a regular salary.

8. classwork In groups of 2-4, read about Culture on page 316
Write and answer the following questions in your notes:
What are the four most common languages spoken in Eastern Europe?
What three religions are common in Eastern Europe?
What well-known author is from the Czech Republic?
What do Eastern Europeans do in their leisure time?

9. What are three aspects of Eastern European culture?
Formative Assessment
What are three aspects of Eastern European culture?
Reminder, aspects of culture include: Social organization, Customs and traditions, Languages, Arts and literature, Religion, Forms of government, Economic systems, Food and clothing, Music and dance