Morgan

Piskadlo
9/10/2015

Russia Text Set

Below is a list of books pertaining to Russia that could be useful in a fifth grade
classroom. Some of these books will help students understand traditions within the
Russian culture while others will hit at specific SOLs discussed throughout the fifth
grade.

Read Aloud Anastasia: The Last Grand Duchess By: Carolyn Meyer

This book is at an 860L lexile level and could be read by fifth graders. This book
highlights the struggles and hardships Anastasia faces in her home country of
Russia. This book highlights her diary entries when she was within the realm of her
royal days, as well as, the days after her hierarchy was taken.

In choosing this novel as a read aloud, I believed that this would be enjoyable for
students to listen to and understand the hardship before the time period of study.
This novel gives students some background knowledge to previous history in Russia
and what life was like before the space race. Although this story highlights one
persons perspective, many were going through the same thing. I believe that in
some ways the students could connect to the text and gain insight.

SOL Support Text

USII.8 The student will apply social science skills to understand the economic,
social, and political transformation of the United States and the world between the
end of World War II and the present by
a) Describing the rebuilding of Europe and Japan after World War II, the
emergence of United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers, and the
establishment of the United Nations;
b) Examining the role of the United States in defending freedom during the Cold
War, including the wars in Korea and Vietnam, the Cuban missile crisis, the
collapse of communism in Europe, and the rise of new challenges.

When using this SOL and discussing it in the classroom, we would discuss the Space
Race between the Soviet Union (USSR) and the United States. This would interest
students and even bring some previous knowledge learned in prior grades about
space and the moon.

Book #1 First On The Moon By: Barbara Hehner

This book is at a 1000L lexile level and could be used in grades fifth through sixth
grade. I chose this book because it describes the American astronauts Neil
Armstrong and Buzz Alrdrin first steps into history. This book tells a story from
different perspectives, one being a young girl (daughter of Aldrin) to the events
happening in space. This text also highlights the space race and how one country
dominated over the other. The illustrations, photographs, and timelines shown
throughout the text will help students navigate and experience the events of
becoming first on the moon.

When using this book, students will not only be learning about the assigned SOL, but
also recalling past knowledge that was learned in previous grades about space. This
text highlights Russia and their first attempt at stepping on the moon and how this
race changed the world.

Book #2 Reaching for the Moon: The Apollo Astronauts By: Hal Marcovitz

This book is at an 860L lexile level and falls under readability for fifth grade. I
choose this book because it describes the challenges that were overcome by the
crew of Apollo 11 to land on the moon. Although this book describes the challenges
that the United States faced, it also highlights the space race and where Russia stood
in the grand scheme of things. This text is split up into chapters and is very user
friendly. This text includes photographs, side-notes, and a timeline for students to
understand the content.

When using this book in the classroom, students would pay close attention to
Chapter Two: A Nation Commits Itself. Throughout this chapter they highlight the
United States action to be first on the moon, but also the plans of the Soviet Union
and their plan to achieve this underlying goal.

Leveled Student Text

Book #1 Russia By: Susan H. Grey

This text is at a 620L lexile level which allows the readability to be at a fifth grade
reading level. This text examines and describes the history, geography, government,
economics and people of Russia. Russian schools, things to do, and what they eat
are amongst other details that are described in this text. This book has many
different maps and photographs to help students with the learning process and
visualize about this country.

This book is chosen as a leveled text for this text set because it would give students
the background knowledge about Russia. When having an English learner in the
classroom, this book could make them feel welcome if Russia was what they called
home. This gives other students in the classroom opportunity to learn about and
become accustomed to a different culture.

Book #2 Festivals of the World: Russia By: Harlinah Whythe

This text is at an 860L lexile level which allows the readability to be at a fifth grade
reading level. This text describes how the Russian culture is reflected in many
festivals that are present in the area. The text is broken up into sections that might
be familiar to our fifth graders. Some listed are as follows: New Year and Christmas,
Patriotic Holidays, Easter, and Seasonal Festivals. Within these sections, the author
describes what this might look like in Russia and how it is celebrated. Students are
able to connect with the text in different ways placing similarities and differences
within what they may celebrate at home.

This book is chosen as a leveled text for this text set because it gives students and
idea of what types of traditions are present in Russia and how they are similar and
different to what we display in the United States/what you personally celebrate.
When having an English learner in your classroom from this country this could be
helpful in making them feel welcomed and having other students learn about the
traditions they have and how some might be similar.

Professional Development Culture and Customs of Russia By: Sydney Schultz

This book would be useful for a teacher to read because it describes this country
from the earliest time in history through the breakup of the Soviet Union to the
present day. History, social customs, cuisine, literature, art, and music are amongst
the many things discussed in this text. Throughout this text, photographs, timelines
and a glossary are present and enhance the text and what is being talked about.
Having this text in your professional library when having a student from Russia
could help you understand the customs and to connect with the student. Learning
about the country and making connections can go along way with gaining student
trust and making the student feel welcome.