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Freizeit

Context

In Kapitel 31, you learned how German spent their free time in the past and the present. You also learned about the advantages and disadvantages of organized activities. One favorite pastime in Germany is gardening. Because there is so little space available, the small plots of land available for gardening are very precious to Germans. The history of the Kleingärten goes back to the beginning of the Industrial Revolution when many people lived in urban areas without a lot of green space. How do you think people responded to these conditions?

Exploration

Gardenfreunde.de is a Web site devoted to providing people with information about gardening. To learn more about their efforts to promote gardening, go to the following Web site. As you explore the site, keep the following questions in mind:

What are the origins of the Kleingartenwesen in Germany?
How does German law regulate Kleingärten?

What does the Kleingarten-Studie say about the social and ecological significance of gardening? What are some of the problems with the Kleingärten?

What does the study say about the people who garden?

Gartenfreunde
Learn more about German gardening.

Application

After exploring the site, look at your notes. One problem the Kleingarten-Studie mentions is the lack of involvement by young people in gardening. With a partner discuss ways you think more young people could become involved in gardening. Discuss the ecological and social benefits of gardening. Then create an advertisement to attract young people to gardening. Include illustrations and information you learned from the Web site. Display your advertisement in class.