Space station Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 My dd wants to study Russian, but we school through a virtual charter school that can only give her credit for classes that have a teacher certified to teach that subject. There is no one in the system that can officially teach Russian, but they are willing to let us do this. They get around this by letting us create project based assessments and group them under a certified teacher. So I have been creating a Russian class for her that will be officially be under a Social Studies teacher, meaning that we will submit the projects weekly or monthly for her to evaluate. My dd's main Social Studies will be American History, so this is in addition to that. Here is what I have come up with so far. Is there anyone out there who has any Russian background or experience in creating this kind of class that would be willing to take a look and see what they think? The teacher will give her input, but I know there are so many of you out there with great ideas that I want to pick your brains too. This is intended to be a year long class. Does it look too light? too heavy? Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions! Russian Language and Culture 8th Grade Honors Independent Study Social Studies Project Proposal Background: An interest in becoming an astronaut has motivated ---- to study Russian for her modern foreign language. Her father is fluent in Russian and will be able to help support her efforts. Goals: Introduction to Russian alphabet and language through the use of the Russian Step by Step workbooks (www.russianstepbystep.com), and conversation with her father; appreciation of Russian Culture and history through projects. Language learning assessment will be done through workbook evaluation and periodic vocabulary quizzes. Vocabulary will be chosen to go along with the monthly cultural projects. Culture assessment will be done through weekly current events reports and monthly Culture Projects. Weekly Current Events Journal: Student will research current events in Russia from the Russian perspective and make a journal response or summary of the article, depending on what the article merits and her views on the region. As the year continues, these should begin to reflect growth in her personal responses as she learns more about the culture, politics, etc. and develops her own viewpoints regarding the region. Potential sources of news include: www.themoscowtimes.com; English.pravda.ru; rt.com; voiceofrussia.com; sptimes.ru Monthly Project Suggestions (may be done in any order; written assessments may also be submitted as writing samples for Language Arts): 1. Research and present the 5 Themes of Geography for Russia as a Powerpoint, Prezi, or Glogster poster. Choose cities from different parts of Russia, and make note monthly of the weather in these different regions over the course of the school year. 2. Research traditional Russian foods, and prepare 3 meals of traditional Russian foods for the family. Submit photographs of the meals, along with a brief summary of the experience (ie. likes/dislikes). Field trip to Russian Tea House in St. Paul. 3. Read Russian fairytales or myths and choose at least one to compare/contrast with other fairytales or myths with which you were previously familiar, or write your own fairytale in the Russian style. 4. Learn a piano piece by Kabalevski (or other Russian composer) and submit a video recording of you playing the piece. Research a Russian composer and complete a 5 paragraph narrative summary of their life or work. (Should include listening to one or more pieces by the composer.) Field trip to concert or ballet. (Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra will present Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in E minor, op. 64; the Russian Ballet will present the Nutcracker in Minneapolis in December; or other possibilities that come up.) 5. Read short stories by classic Russian authors, and analyze themes in one or more of your choices. 6. Choose an historical fiction book of a famous Russian figure, and a non-fiction reference book about the same figure. Write an obituary of this figure highlighting their national accomplishments and failures. 7. Research the history of the space race between the US and Russia. Create an outline of the milestones in the space race. 8. Field trip to the Museum of Russian art in Minneapolis. Choose one artist of your choice and do an art print study of their work. Try your hand at your own work of art in the style of your chosen artist and submit a photograph of the work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 I have no claim to Russian expertise save for taking a year of Russian in college. That said, your plan looks great to me! Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Have you seen the link below? It might be a nice add-in. http://www.professorcarol.com/imperial-russia/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space station Posted July 11, 2014 Author Share Posted July 11, 2014 Thank you! That looks very helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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