Students first guess how many new countries have been formed since the year 2000. Then they summarize several articles about the breakup of Yugoslavia and its republics. Next they explain how the break up of Yugoslavia reflects the idea that borders are changeable, not “set in stone.” Finally they learn about the Russia-Ukraine conflict and summarize from both the Russian and the Ukrainian points-of-view.
Students read an introduction explaining that some modern countries were created when existing states split apart, then review the lesson objectives. They respond to a word cloud prompt by guessing how many new countries have been formed since the year 2000, entering their guesses as digits.
Teacher MovesPresent the overview and objectives of the experience, highlighting that students will examine how borders and countries change over time. After students submit their guesses, share the actual list of countries formed since 2000 to spark curiosity about how and why new states emerge, then transition to the next scene.
Students examine background text and a map of the six republics of the former Yugoslavia, then read selected sections from Eastern Europe, Key Points about the 1990s Balkan Wars, and The 1990s Balkan Wars in Key Dates to learn how Yugoslavia formed and later broke apart along ethnic and national lines. Using a graphic organizer, they summarize in 1–2 sentences what happened to each Yugoslav republic (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia including Kosovo and Vojvodina, and Slovenia) after the breakup.
Teacher MovesClarify the concept of republics within a federation by comparing Yugoslavia’s structure to the U.S. federal system, emphasizing regional autonomy within a unified state. Support students as they read and complete the graphic organizer, then review the information as a class. Facilitate discussion using questions such as “What role did nationalism play in the breakup of Yugoslavia?” and “How did nationalism shape the new borders?” to deepen understanding of how ethnic identity and self-determination influenced the creation of new states.
Students revisit a quotation from historian Stanislao Pugliese about borders being arbitrary and changeable, then respond to a class wall prompt explaining how the breakup of Yugoslavia illustrates his idea that maps and borders are not fixed but can shift with political and cultural realities.
Teacher MovesPrompt students to connect Pugliese’s statement to specific examples from Yugoslavia’s breakup. Review student posts on the wall and share one or more strong or thought-provoking responses with the class. Lead a discussion about how ethnic diversity, self-determination, and the decline of strong central leadership contributed to changing borders, and invite students to consider other current or potential secession movements around the world.
Students read background text on how borders can also change through imperialism, then use resources including the “Ukraine” section of an Eastern Europe overview, Crimea: Six years after illegal annexation, and War in Ukraine to learn about Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. They conduct a brief internet search to find current information on the war’s status, then post to a class wall summarizing the main conflict driving Russia’s invasion, explaining the situation from both Russian and Ukrainian perspectives, and describing how Russia is attempting to change its borders.
Teacher MovesFrame the Russia–Ukraine conflict as another example of shifting borders, this time through military action and claims of annexation. Support students in distinguishing between Russian and Ukrainian viewpoints, using the provided bullet points to clarify each side’s claims and experiences. Encourage students to use up-to-date, reliable sources in their brief research and to synthesize information accurately in their summaries. Facilitate a discussion comparing the Yugoslav and Ukraine cases, focusing on nationalism, sovereignty, and the international response to attempts to redraw borders.
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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