Morgan+Faulk's+Thematic+Unit

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Possible Unit Ideas: (these are the possible ones that were given to me by my CT) - Northern Europe - Southern Europe (10 days) - Russia (20 days)

Possible Themes: - warfare - films aimed at children as propaganda


 * I have decided to work on a unit for Russia (roughly 20 days) that will have the theme of "people in crisis"**



Preliminary Planning


 * Organizing Questions:**

1. What is the gist of Russia? The basic elements that compose Russia. a. Geography (including natural resources) b. Climate c. Religion d. Government (past and present) e. People 2. How have the Russian people suffered or caused suffering throughout their history? a. World wars b. Internal conflict 3. How has the environment, and in turn people, been affected by pollution and nuclear power? a. Nuclear Power (3 day mini-unit) b. environmental issues (pulp and paper mill next to Lake Baikal and dead seals c. Moscow air  4. What is the order of events in Russian history?  a. Rises and falls to power  b. Revolutions  5. What are the advantages and disadvantages about being the largest country?  6. How has the past shaped the present-day Russia? (More inquiry or opinion?)  ^You have a great organized plan mapped out with these questions!

1. For students to appreciate living in a democratic country 2. For students to learn about Russian culture and the people (and hardships of people) 3. To raise an awareness of how the past can impact the present and future 4. To understand the implications of pollution, waste, and the responsibility we have to the environment to protect future generations 5. Maybe address stereotypes associated with Russia during certain periods and try to negate them
 * Goals**

1. Students will be able to come away with a gist of what composes Russia (geography, climate, religion, government, people, etc.) 2. See the impact of pollution on the environment and people and speculate reasons for allowing pollution. (Nuclear power and tragedies, Baikal seals, Moscow’s air) 3. Identify certain shifts in the Russian government over time. 4. Understand the roles/contributions of and comment on important rulers or people in Russia (Ivan IV, Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, Nicholas II, Lenin, Stalin, Gorbachev, Yeltsin, Putin) 5. Speculate on how Russia in the past helped to shape the Russia of today and to make a comment on which period in Russian history was the best (in their opinion) for the Russian people. 6. Have knowledge of the chronology of the history of Russia including major events, revolutions, leaders, etc. ^Good list of objectives! Maybe you could make them even more specific by adding //how// students will learn the content. I say this because Meg mentioned it in our last class. I know I need to try and make mine more specific as well.
 * Objectives**

1. Picture slideshow of Russian geography and people groups 2. Maps of Russia on the European side and Asian side 3. Character maps (maybe bubble maps?) of key individuals in Russia (Ivan IV, Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, Nicholas II, Vladimir Lenin, Josef Stalin, Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, Vladimir Putin) 4. Laptop with internet access and projector 5. Large, table sized sheets of paper 6. Construction paper or poster board 7. Markers, glue, tape, rulers, scissors, etc. 8. Nuclear power Sources a. Glogster ([]) b. [] c. http://www.guardian.co.uk/flash/page/0,,1748554,00.html d. http://www.solcomhouse.com/nuclear.htm e. [] f. http://www.nti.org/db/nisprofs/russia/fissmat/pumayak/pomayak.htm g. [] h. [] i. http://www.cncp.ru/eng/cities/seversk/seversk.shtml j. [] k. [] ^Wow, you have a lot of good resources here! 9. Possible film clips: a. Despicable Me (how Gru, with the Russian accent, is portrayed- social commentary) ^ LOVE this! I wouldn't have even thought of that! b. Enemy at the Gates c. How to Train Your Dragon (look at stereotypes of Vikings- are they depicted accurately?) d. The Cranes are Flying 10. Russian Music a. T.A.T.u b. Regina Spector c. YouTube Russian Folk Music 11. Poetry a. Anna Akhmatova “Memory of Sun” b. Andrei Voznesensky “Russian-American Romance” (relation to Cold War- have students write a response poem, from American back to Russia) 12. Short stories : [|www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/13437/pg13437.txt] 13. Advertising a. Maria Sharapova and Anna Kournikova (Tennis) <- Great way to tie in sports figures! b. Propaganda: Russophobia and [|www.englishrussia.com] 14. If you really knew me guidelines 1. If You Really Knew Me Activity (?) based off the MTV reality show. A stereotype dispelling activity. Perhaps students pretend to be in the place of a Russian citizen during a certain period of time. Have to accurately depict them as they are rather than as the US (maybe during Cold War time) sees them or as someone else sees them. ^I have seen this show! Cool idea!
 * Resources/Materials**
 * Activities:**

2. Generating a What We Know pictures/words sheet at beginning of unit .(10 minutes) Place a big sheet on the board at the front of the room. Have Russian folk music playing in the background. All students have markers and go to the board and write or draw something they know or think about Russia. At the top of the paper: (Что Вы знаете о России?) ( What do you know about Russia?) Note: Russia - Россия ^Just a thought- some students may be reluctant, shy, or embarrassed to go up to the board if they truly know nothing about Russia. I really like how you used the different language as the title though! Good hook...it would make students interested.

3. Timeline on historical events in Russia

4. Comparison and contrasting of American democracy and Russian communism

5. A commentary on the leaders/important people or a writing from one of the important people’s point of view

6. Which period or space in time was the best in Russian history for the people? (in your opinion) ^Interesting activity. I like how students will be able to voice their own opinions and it will also involve critical thinking skills as well as a deep understanding of the content.


 * Morgan, I enjoyed reading the ideas you have about your unit so far! I think you have some great activities that are fun and unique. I think its great that you have incorporated a variety of materials that have to do with Russia. I can see students being engaged in these activities and think it will address different learning styles well. I think it's important that every student has his/her chance to shine and I can see students having that opportunity with your differing activities. :) Happy planning! **
 * -Tara **

=** Works in Progress/ Drafts **=

Brief Russian History

**Russia Preliminary**
**Rough Outline of Daily Plan**

Nuclear Power

Outline of the Romanovs **Guidelines**

Day 1 Draft Plan

Other Days Lesson Plans

Objectives, Goals, and Organizing Questions