6-Social-Studies-April

Main Concept
Eastern Europe: Russia and the Eurasian Republics.

Key Terms

 * Vocabulary Words:**
 * Landforms and Climates:** permafrost, taiga, steppe, chromium
 * The Soviet Union Rises and Falls**: reform czar, abdicate, totalitarian, purge, Cold War, perestroika, glasnost
 * Times of Change**: light industry, heavy industry cosmonaut, displace

Holidays
 * Easter
 * Earth Day

Student Outcomes

 * Students will pose and answer questions about the landforms and climates in Russia and the Eurasian republics.
 * Students will explain the geographic factors responsible for population pattern in Russia and the Eurasian republics.
 * Students will identify and analyze ways people have modifies the physical environment in Russia and the Eurasian republics.
 * Students will analyze the historica background of the Soviet Union to evaluate relationships between past conflicts and current conditions.
 * Students will identify reasons for limiting the power of government.
 * Students will identiy examples of governments with rule by one, few, or many.
 * Students will describe characteristics of the countries of the CIS that resulted form historic events or factors.
 * Students will compare ways in which the countries of the CIS organize the production of goods and services.
 * Students will Learn how government functions in CIS.
 * Students will explain how opportunities for citizens to participate in and influence the political process vary among different societies.

Resources for Teachers
Books:
 * Around The World Pack - National Geographic - The Red Lantern Festival (A play based on a Chinese Folktale)
 * Around The World Pack - Scholastic - Culture Kit - China - Activities, Projects, and Map
 * Evan-Moor - Asia - Geography Unit ( Map skills, Overview of plants, animals, and people, Two-sided poster and reproducible pages.


 * Suggestions:** Vocabulary words can be given as an introduction to each topic, or it can be given as homework after the introduction of each topic.

Text Books:
 * Steck-Vaugn Social Studies World Cultures Past and Present

Videos []
 * Brainpop

Field Trip Suggestions
 * The Museum of Natural History - Asian Exhibits