Students are introduced to the fall of the Soviet Union through a song. Then they explore more about the events of 1991. Next, they learn about the presidency of Vladimir Putin. Finally, in small groups, students research the current government and economy of one of the former Russian states and compare and contrast that state with others in the Russian Federation.
Students read a brief introduction to the Soviet Union and its collapse, then watch the video Fall of the Soviet Union, paying attention to both the lyrics and graphics. They record three facts they learned from the video in a table.
Teacher MovesPreview the experience by outlining how students will move from the fall of the Soviet Union to examining Putin’s presidency and the current conditions in former Soviet states. Review the lesson objectives. After students view the video and complete their tables, lead a class discussion to surface key facts and invite students’ questions, turning these into guiding questions for the rest of the lesson before unlocking the next scene.
Students study a narrative outline of the fall of the Soviet Union, focusing on central planning, post–World War II borders, Gorbachev’s reforms, the spread of independence movements, the 1991 dissolution of the USSR, and Boris Yeltsin’s economic changes. They then answer multiple-choice questions to check their understanding of glasnost, the independence demands of Soviet republics, and key events following the dissolution. They are also directed to view the photo essay 20 Years Since the Fall of the Soviet Union to visualize the period.
Teacher MovesClarify the sequence of events and causes leading to the fall of the Soviet Union, checking that students understand terms like glasnost and perestroika and the roles of Gorbachev and Yeltsin. Ask follow-up questions or invite student questions to deepen understanding, and, if helpful, co-construct a brief class timeline of major events before moving on.
Students read selected sections of Vladimir Putin Biography to learn about who Putin is and his first, second, and later presidential terms. Using a graphic organizer, they take notes on his background and actions across different terms in office. They then write a brief paragraph describing Putin, using their notes and, if needed, additional online research.
Teacher MovesGuide students as they complete the organizer, prompting them to distinguish between biographical background and policy actions. Facilitate a discussion of students’ written descriptions, highlighting how Putin’s leadership style and policies have shaped Russia domestically and internationally. Optionally extend learning by assigning small groups specific controversial aspects of Putin’s presidency to research and share. Before unlocking the next scene, organize students into small groups and assign each group one of the 15 former Soviet states listed for further investigation.
In small groups, students read the section on their assigned country in Post-Soviet world: what you need to know about the 15 states to learn about its current government and economy. They use a graphic organizer to record information about population, elections and fairness, government, and economy. Afterward, they review notes from other groups’ countries and discuss similarities and differences among the former Soviet states within their small group.
Teacher MovesEnsure each group accesses the correct country profile and understands the task of gathering evidence about political and economic conditions. Support groups as they complete their organizers, prompting them to note patterns and anomalies. Then lead a whole-class discussion comparing similarities and differences among the 15 former Soviet states, drawing out themes related to democracy, authoritarianism, economic development, and regional variation before directing students to the individual evaluation.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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