If you're looking for a really fun way to get students to learn about the cold war, engage in problem solving, and creative writing. This lesson plan is for you.

Turn Cold War history into a high-stakes challenge your students won’t forget. In this interactive simulation, students take on the role of East Berliners in 1965 and must design a realistic escape plan from behind the Berlin Wall using historical evidence and critical thinking. This isn't just questions dressed up as an escape. Students are using critical thinking and history to come up with a real exit strategy, Cold War style. 

What Students Will Learn
Key background knowledge about the division of Germany 
Causes for the division of Germany 
Life in East Berlin 
Soviet methods of control
The role of the Stasi, and the purpose of the Berlin Wall.
Real obstacles faced by East Germans attempting to escape, including guard towers, surveillance, propaganda, and the deadly “death strip.”

Using this information, students develop a step-by-step escape strategy and justify their choices using evidence from the reading.


What’s Included
5 Page History Cat Article 
Student escape-plan simulation worksheet
Comprehension questions for foundational knowledge
Risk analysis activity examining real Berlin Wall obstacles
Step-by-step escape planning framework
Creative design space for written and visual planning
 
Duration: 60 Minutes
Grades 7-12 
DOK 2 & 3
Format: Word