Teaching Freedom_ Three Lessons That Turn History into Meaningful Action (1) | Page 7

2. Learning Objectives By the end of the activity, students were able to:
-​ identify and interpret places in Tarnobrzeg connected with history, collective memory and the struggle for freedom;-​ collect, analyse and evaluate historical information from reliable sources;-​ explain the historical significance of Jerzy Popiełuszko and Hieronim Dekutowski within the contexts in which they had lived and acted;-​ connect historical events and individual choices with freedom, democracy, human rights and civic responsibility;-​ develop critical-thinking skills by distinguishing historical facts from opinions, interpretations and personal memories;-​ communicate effectively in English, formulate questions and conduct short interviews with local residents;-​ cooperate in international teams, share responsibilities and respect different cultural and historical perspectives;-​ develop digital competence and creativity by producing short videos based on their findings and reflections;-​ strengthen intercultural awareness through the exchange of experiences and perspectives;-​ recognise the importance of preserving local heritage and protecting human dignity and democratic values;-​ reflect on their own understanding of freedom and identify ways of contributing to a democratic and inclusive society.
3. Preparation and organisation
Before the activity, the teachers selected locations in Tarnobrzeg that were relevant to the themes of history, remembrance and freedom. They prepared a route that allowed students to explore the selected sites safely and complete the assigned tasks within the available time.
The teachers also prepared task cards containing historical questions, research challenges and interview prompts. Background materials about local history and the lives of Jerzy Popiełuszko and Hieronim Dekutowski were provided to help students investigate the subject using reliable sources. The materials encouraged students to distinguish between verified historical information, personal memories and interpretations.
Students were divided into small international groups. Each group received a route, a set of tasks and clear instructions about time management, safety and cooperation. Students were encouraged to distribute responsibilities among group members, including research, note-taking, photography, interviewing and video recording.