Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Understanding of the Cold War and its contexts: The teacher must ensure that students acquire a clear understanding of what the Cold War was, what events triggered it, and who were the main actors in this conflict. This includes understanding the ideological differences between the United States and the Soviet Union, the formation of the capitalist and socialist blocs, and the arms race that characterized this period.

2. Identification of the initial characteristics of the Cold War: Students should be able to identify the events that marked the beginning of the Cold War, such as the Yalta Conference, the Potsdam Conference, the Truman Doctrine, and the Marshall Plan. They should also understand how these events contributed to the polarization of the world into two antagonistic blocs.

3. Critical analysis of the consequences of the Cold War: In addition to understanding the beginning of the Cold War, students should be able to critically analyze the consequences of this conflict for the contemporary world. This includes understanding the role of the Cold War in the formation of international alliances, post-war geopolitics, and the legacy that this era left behind.

Secondary objectives:

• Develop research and analysis skills: During the learning process, students will be encouraged to conduct independent research on the Cold War. They will be guided to use reliable sources and develop critical analysis skills to evaluate the information they find.

• Promote critical thinking: In addition to critically analyzing the consequences of the Cold War, students will be encouraged to think critically about the events that triggered it and the strategies used by the USA and the USSR during that period. They will be encouraged to consider different perspectives and form their own opinions based on evidence.

• Stimulate active participation: The teacher should create a classroom environment that promotes active student participation. This may include group discussions, individual or group presentations, and practical activities that encourage students to apply the knowledge they have acquired.

• Develop presentation skills: During the lesson, students will be invited to present their research findings to the class. This will help develop their presentation skills as well as their confidence in public speaking.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Review of previous concepts: The teacher should start the lesson by reminding students of the historical events that preceded the Cold War, such as World War II and the formation of the superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union. This is crucial to establish the necessary context for understanding the Cold War.

2. Problem situations: To arouse students' interest, the teacher can present two problem situations:

   • The first situation could be: "Imagine that you are living in the post-World War II period. The world is divided into two antagonistic blocs, each led by a superpower. You and your family are suffering the consequences of the war, and now peace seems to depend on the tense relationship between these two powers. How would you feel?"

   • The second situation could be: "Think about what it would be like if your country were forced to choose a side in this global conflict. What factors would you consider? How do you think this decision would affect your country and your life?"

3. Contextualization: The teacher should then explain that the Cold War was one of the most tense and dangerous periods in modern history, with the world on the brink of a nuclear conflict. Although there was no direct conflict between the USA and the USSR, the Cold War shaped the world we live in today, determining political and economic alliances, technology, culture, and even geography.

4. Capturing students' attention: To capture students' attention, the teacher can share some curiosities or interesting stories about the Cold War. Here are some suggestions:

   • "Did you know that during the Cold War, NASA and the Soviet Union competed to see who would reach the Moon first? This space race was a symbol of the rivalry between the two superpowers."

   • "And here's another curiosity: have you heard of the Berlin Wall, right? But did you know that during the Cold War, East Germany built another wall, the 'Anti-Fascist Protection Wall,' to prevent people from fleeing to West Germany?"

By the end of the Introduction, students should have a clear understanding of what the Cold War was, why it occurred, and what its main characteristics were.

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Simulation Activity - The Space Race (10 - 12 minutes):

   • Introduction: The teacher should contextualize the activity, explaining that during the Cold War, the space race was one of the main areas of competition between the United States and the Soviet Union. The goal of this activity is to allow students to experience this competition in a playful way.

   • Preparation: The teacher should divide the class into two groups, representing the USA and the USSR. Each group will receive a list of key events in the space race (for example, the launch of Sputnik, the first man on the moon, etc.) and a blank game board.

   • Activity: Students should work in their groups to fill the game board with the events of the space race in the correct order. They should also discuss why each event was important and how it contributed to the competition between the USA and the USSR.

   • Debate: After the conclusion of the activity, each group should present their game board to the class and explain their choices. This should be followed by a debate on the different perspectives of each group and the lessons that can be learned from the space race.

2. Research Activity - The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan (10 - 12 minutes):

   • Introduction: The teacher should explain that the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan were two of the main strategies of the United States to contain the expansion of communism during the Cold War. In this activity, students will research and present about these two policies.

   • Preparation: The teacher should divide the class into small groups and provide each group with a laptop or tablet for research. Students should also receive a list of questions to guide their research (for example, "What was the Truman Doctrine? What were its objectives? How was it implemented? What were its effects?").

   • Activity: Students should use the internet to research the answers to their questions. They should take notes and prepare a brief presentation for the class.

   • Presentation: Each group should present their findings to the class, with the teacher facilitating the discussion and clarifying any doubts.

3. Discussion Activity - The Cold War and the Contemporary World (5 - 7 minutes):

   • Introduction: The teacher should explain that although the Cold War officially ended in 1991, its consequences are still felt in the contemporary world. In this activity, students will discuss the legacy of the Cold War.

   • Preparation: The teacher should divide the class into small groups and provide each group with a list of questions to guide the discussion (for example, "What are some of the political and economic alliances that were formed during the Cold War and still exist today? How was technology influenced by the Cold War?").

   • Activity: Students should discuss the questions in their groups, taking notes of their ideas and conclusions.

   • Presentation: Each group should share their main conclusions with the class, and the teacher should facilitate a class discussion on the legacy of the Cold War.

By the end of the Development, students should have a deeper understanding of the Cold War and its impact on the contemporary world. They should also have had the opportunity to develop research, analysis, debate, and critical thinking skills.

Return (8 - 10 minutes)

1. Group Discussion (3 - 4 minutes):

   • Sharing Conclusions: The teacher should ask each group to briefly share their findings or solutions from the simulation and research activities. This allows all students to learn from their peers' different perspectives and approaches.

   • Connection to Theory: The teacher should then make connections between the students' conclusions and the theory presented at the beginning of the lesson. This helps solidify students' understanding of the topic and see how the theory applies in practice.

2. Individual Reflection (2 - 3 minutes):

   • Reflection Questions: The teacher should propose that students reflect individually on the lesson. Some examples of questions that can be asked include: "What was the most important concept you learned today?" and "What questions have not been answered yet?".

   • Reflection Time: Students should have a minute to think about their answers. The teacher should encourage them to be honest with themselves and to think deeply about what they have learned.

   • Optional Sharing: If there is time, students may be invited to share their answers with the class. This can lead to interesting discussions and help the teacher identify any gaps in students' understanding.

3. Feedback and Closure (3 - 4 minutes):

   • Student Feedback: The teacher should ask for feedback from students about the lesson. This may include what they liked, what they found challenging, and any suggestions they have to improve future lessons. Student feedback is a valuable tool for the teacher to enhance their teaching practices.

   • Lesson Closure: The teacher should then conclude the lesson, reinforcing the key concepts that were learned and highlighting the importance of the topic for understanding the contemporary world. The teacher should also remind students of any homework assignments or readings that need to be done before the next lesson.

By the end of the Return, students should have a clear understanding of what they learned in the lesson, any questions or confusions they still have, and how the topic applies to the real world. The teacher, in turn, will have an idea of how well students understood the material and can make adjustments to future lessons based on student feedback.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Summary and Recapitulation (2 - 3 minutes):

   • The teacher should start the Conclusion by recalling the main points discussed during the lesson. This may include the historical context that led to the Cold War, the initial characteristics of this conflict, the strategies used by the USA and the USSR, and the consequences of this conflict for the contemporary world.

   • The teacher should emphasize the main conclusions drawn from the practical activities and class discussions. This will help consolidate students' learning and reinforce the relevance of the topic to the current world.

2. Connection between Theory and Practice (1 - 2 minutes):

   • The teacher should explain how the lesson connected historical theory about the Cold War with practice through simulation, research, and discussion activities. This will show students the importance of understanding historical events not only at a theoretical level but also in terms of how they affected and shaped the real world.

   • The teacher can highlight specific examples of how practical activities helped illustrate theoretical concepts. For example, how the simulation of the space race showed the intense competition between the USA and the USSR, or how the research activity on the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan allowed students to explore more deeply the strategies used during the Cold War.

3. Extra Materials (1 - 2 minutes):

   • The teacher should suggest extra materials for students who wish to deepen their knowledge of the Cold War. This may include books, documentaries, history websites, and virtual museums.

   • For example, the teacher may recommend the book "The Age of Extremes" by Eric J. Hobsbawm, which provides a comprehensive view of the 20th century, including the Cold War. Or the documentary "The Cold War," produced by the BBC, which explores the key events and main figures of this conflict.

4. Practical Application of the Subject (1 minute):

   • Finally, the teacher should summarize the practical importance of the subject, explaining that understanding the Cold War is crucial to understanding the contemporary world.

   • The teacher can highlight how the political and economic alliances formed during the Cold War still affect current global events. Or how the arms race of the Cold War shaped today's technology and science.

By the end of the Conclusion, students should have a clear understanding of what they learned in the lesson, how it applies to the real world, and what the next steps are to deepen their knowledge of the topic.