Russia-+Lesson+Plan+&+Narrative


 * Lesson Title ** : Getting Cultural in Russia


 * Instructor **: Caroline Tucker


 * Subject **: 7th Grade Social Studies


 * Class Period **: 90 Minutes


 * Class Size **: 24 Students


 * Location **: Russia

** Goals **: ** Materials/Technology Resources Required:  ** ** Procedures **: · Conclusion (15 minutes):  o We will reconvene as a group and I will ask for any interesting, new observations or facts learned from the stations.  o For an exit slip, students will write one thing they enjoyed learning about the culture of Russia and one thing they would like to know more about. ** Assessment **: Students will be assessed based on their participation in the stations. I will observe during the process and be sure every member contributes. I will also consider the final products from each station (paragraph about songs, nesting dolls, poem, and brochure). Their entry on the class blog will be read and evaluated once posted. Finally, I will monitor participation in class discussion, and assess exit slips. **Lesson Narrative**: This lesson is toward the end of the seventh grade Social Studies unit on  Russia. Prior to this lesson, we will have covered the geography, history, and political system in Russia. Russia has such a fascinating, rich culture that should captivate my class. In fact, the reason I selected this country to begin with was because I loved hearing Dr. Beal’s stories and experiences about this remarkable country. Some aspects will seem very similar to parts of America ’s culture, which will be a great way to make connections and bridge a gap between Russia ’s culture and ours. Other parts will be perceived as very different from the situation in the US, but the activities are designed to open students’ eyes to the possibilities and develop appreciation for diversity and uniqueness. I also think the time spent on group work is invaluable. I love seeing students working and learning together to reach a common goal. It’s also a great way to scaffold for students that may be slower learners. I think it is important to use the internet and other sources to get a better understanding of how to research, and sorting out what is important. I hope to spark an interest in my students about the country of Russia so they continue to seek out higher knowledge and become better informed world citizens.
 * North Carolina Standard Course of Study Objective **: (4.03)  Examine key ethical ideas and values deriving from religious, artistic, political, economic, and educational traditions, as well as their diffusion over time, and assess their influence on the development of selected societies and regions in Africa, Asia , and Australia.
 * Students will be able to work together in groups to complete tasks
 * Students will be able to explain how the different aspects of Russia’s culture interrelate
 * Students will be able to relate Russia’s past culture with current events
 * Students will be able to determine what pieces of knowledge are valuable from a larger source
 * Cups of varying sizes
 * Markers
 * Tape
 * 7 Laptops with internet capability
 * Construction paper
 * Icebreaker (15 minutes):
 * Read excerpt from the article “Differences in Culture between America and Russia” ( [] ) out loud as class.
 * I will then introduce the blog topic of the week, “How are America and Russia’s cultures different and how are they similar?” The students will be responsible for posting their response to this question within the next two days.
 * Group Activity (60 minutes):
 * We will then break into four groups of six students. I will have selected the groups beforehand, and ensured they are heterogeneous and best suited to a range of ability and leadership.
 * The groups will cycle through four stations that aim to broaden students’ knowledge of Russia’s culture. They will spend 15 minutes at each station. The stations are as follows:
 *  Station 1: Students will listen to two Russian folk songs played on a CD through a laptop. They will interpret the message of each song by analyzing tone, rhythm, pace, and instrument selection. The group will then make an inference about what was happening in Russian history based on the artists’ music. The group will pass around a piece of paper, taking turns writing one sentence, and building off each other.
 *  Station 2: At this station, students will read a brief piece about Russian nesting dolls I will have printed off this website ( [] ). They will then use various sized cups (ranging from Dixie cups to Solo cups) to make their own nesting dolls. I will provide markers and other craft supplies to decorate their dolls. Students will use tape to create a hinge on their cups. These dolls will be placed around the room after today’s lesson.
 *  Station 3: There will be an English translation of the poem “Yevgeny Onegin” by Russian poet Alexander Pushkin printed on a handout for each member of the group. Students will read the poem and write a summary in their own words. They will then work together to write a brief poem about an aspect of the history of Russia, trying to imitate Pushkin’s style.
 *  Station 4: Students will use the internet to research tourism and sights to see in Russia. Each student will have a computer and be responsible for contributing at least one activity, landmark, architecture, etc. They will then create a brochure or pamphlet with the most interesting activities they found. It should include pictures, information, and recommendations.