EDU 3022/5022

Mrs. Depeé

ByAshlee Sikes

Official Name: Russian FederationForm of Government: FederationCapital: MoscowPopulation: 141,377,752Official Language: RussianMoney: RubleArea: 6,592,772 sq mi (17,075,200 sq km)Major Mountain Ranges: Ural, AltayMajor Rivers: Amur, Irtysh, Lena, Ob, Volga, Yenisey

Fast Facts

GeographyAs the world's largest country, Russian has a very diverse geography. Northern Russian extends into the Arctic Circle. This area is primarily tundra and forests, with thousands of lakes. Russia has many mountain areas. The Ural mountains cover 2,500 miles of eastern Russia. The Caucasus mountains cross the southern part of Russia, from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea. From the western boarder to the Ural mountains is the North European Plain. This is a large rolling plain with rich soil and grasslands.

Topography

Russian WildlifeRussia contains the planet's largest expanse of forest, over eight million square kilometers of mixed woodlands that are home to rare carnivores such as tigers, bears and leopards. The rest of Russia ranges from semi-desert to cold tundra, from snowy mountain peaks to open grasslands. The Himalayas and other mountain ranges have cut Russia off from the warmer southern climes, leaving most of the country temperate to subarctic and snowbound in winter, though the summers can be surprisingly hot. Russia's easternmost parts are the most biodiverse, though they also experience the harshest winters.

Home Life Living conditions in Russia defer greatly depending on the location. In the cities people live in apartments, in the countryside everyone has a detached Russian house. A rich family is likely to have a big modern Russian house in a city's downtown (it is the most prestigious place to live), but majority of population would not be able to afford such a house. There are mainly 4 types of Russian housing.•City Apartment- single family living •Communal Apartment- shared family living•Country House- typical home with land and private water, heating/cooling •Dacha- Summer home; vacationing, place for garden

City Apartment(Moscow)

Communal Apartment(Moscow)

Country House

Dacha

Tasty FoodsWith the long lasting cold weather, the essential components of Russian cuisine are the ones, which provide more carbohydrates and fat rather than proteins. The top five components of a Russian meal are potatoes, bread, eggs, meat (especially beef) and butter. Other popular foods include cabbage, milk, sour cream, curds, mushrooms, lard, cucumbers, tomatoes, apples, berries, honey, sugar, salt, garlic, and onions. The most popular Russian dish is Borscht, a vegetable soup.

Ingredients8 cups beef broth*1 pound slice of meaty bone-in beef shank1 large onion, peeled, quartered4 large beets, peeled, chopped4 carrots, peeled, chopped1 large russet potato, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes2 cups thinly sliced cabbage3/4 cup chopped fresh dill3 Tbsp red wine vinegar1 cup sour creamSalt and pepper to taste

Borscht Recipe

Candy Bacon Ingredients12 slices bacon, about 1/4-inch thickFinely ground black pepperHoney 1/3 cup light brown sugar

Customs The typical greeting is a firm, almost bone-crushing handshake while maintaining direct eye contact and giving the appropriate greeting for the time of day.

When men shake hands with women, the handshake is less firm.

When female friends meet, they kiss on the cheek three times, starting with the left and then alternating.

When close male friends meet, they may pat each other on the back and hug.

Russian Holidays

Christmas

New Year’s Vacation

Defender of the Motherland Day

International Women’s Day

Spring and Labor Celebration

Victory Day

Russia Day

Civil Unity Day

Common Traditions New Babies - When a new baby is born, it is tradition for the father to plant a tree, wishing the child to grow up strong and healthy just like the tree.Travel - Before departing on a long trip, Russian people often sit in silence for a few minutes, praying for good luck and fortune during the journey. Spring - At the beginning of spring, as the weather warms, and the days become brighter, children and young adults often play outside. They play different Russian games.Autumn - In Autumn, Russians try to prepare for a long winter, so the harvests are prepared and stored. Traditionally, Russians pick apples and prepare them to last through the winter. A large store of apples signifies a family that is well-off, and ready to survive the winter.

Blessing - When a bride and groom are ready to go to the church for the wedding, the oldest member in their family takes a religious icon from the wall. While the bride and groom kneel, the family member crosses them both with the icon, as a sign that he/she blesses their union, and wishes them a long and happy marriage.

The Loaf of Bread - At the wedding reception, the husband and wife take a big loaf of bread and bite it at the same time, without the use of their hands. This tradition is a playful game, and whoever gets the larger piece, it is said that they will be the leader of their family.

The Threshold - The husband must carry his wife over the threshold in his arms. It is a very old custom and began because people thought that a new wife would be a very appealing item to evil spirits, and thus the husband should hold her tightly and shield her from their mean eyes. Also, on the floor before the front door of the house, the husband must place a new lock – to lock his happiness there and keep it safe for him and his wife.

Wedding Traditions

Performing ArtsPerforming arts in Russia have earned an esteemed reputation around the world. From Russia's renowned classical music composers, ballet dancers and opera singers, to Russian and Soviet playwrights, directors and actors, many Russian and Ukrainian names are synonymous with excellence in music and theatre.

Literature

This nonfiction children’s book is full of information all concerning the country of Russia. This book is presented in an easy to read format and is filled with colorful pictures. It begins with fast facts about Russia, a timeline, Russian history, geography, the people, economy, holidays and festivals. This is a great book for the use of introducing the country of Russia to a class and would be a great resource for the students as well.

The Keeping Quilt is a story about a family quilt that is passed down through the generations. Patricia’s great grandma, Anna came to America from Russia. The only thing she brought with her was the dress she was wearing. Anna outgrows this dress and her mother decides to piece it into a quilt so that it can be passed down to the family. The quilt is used as a tablecloth, a wedding canopy, and a blanket to welcome new babies into the family.

Religious Mistruths Orthodox Christianity

Holds that a "new Earth" will be created, and here the "saved" shall reside. The "damned" will be flung into a lake of fire and be destroyed.

Popular Christianity

Belief that the souls of the dead go immediately to "heaven" upon death. (Rev. chapters 20 and 21)

They hold that good deeds without belief can still lead one to an afterlife in "heaven."

There is but one route to "salvation," and that is to believe in Jesus Christ. (John 14:6)

Does not believe in a soul, therefore an orthodox Christian does not believe the dead can hear us, can watch over us .

The dust of the earth and the breath of life is what makes a soul. (Gen. 2:7)

Teacher TipsAppreciate and accommodate the similarities and differences among the students' cultures.

Build relationships with students

Focus on the ways students learn and observe students to identify their task orientations

Teach students to match their behaviors to the setting

Bibliography

http://argun.tripod.com/main41.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/places/Russia

http://www.rusconhouston.mid.ru/eng_rushol idays.htm

http://www.russia-ukraine-travel.com/performing-arts-in-russia.html

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/russia-country-profile.html

Italia, B. (2000). The Countries Russia . Edina, Minnesota ABDO Publishing Company.

Polacco, P. (1988). The Keeping Quilt. New York, New York Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.