It was 27 weeks of Endurance for three families this year! Still, I can't think of a better way to understand the world than to understand Russia. This great land weaves into the histories of many countries, including ours!
The cumulative end of our study was our Russia Night. Russian foods, displays, and presentations by the children were enjoyed by all.
Question: How many people can fit into the W's kitchen?
Answer: Not many!
We had borscht, stroganoff, rye bread, mint tea, and Charlotte Russe for dessert.
Jack, the well-mannered one, was allowed to attend.
The presentations were given in chronological order beginning with Sophia, the despised sister of Ivan III and half-sister of Peter the Great. Here, she demonstrates how she would hide behind the dual throne and tell her brothers what to say. Technically, she was ruling the country.
Next was Peter the Great himself! He traveled all over Europe wearing a sign about his neck reading, "I am a pupil and need to be taught."
Peter returned to Russia determined to modernize the land. He lined up the men and cut off their robes at the knees. He made sure the long, shaggy beards disappeared and every man was clean-shaven.
German born Sophia came next. Upon finding out how despised the name of Sophia was, she immediately changed her name to Catherine.
Catherine the Great certainly earned her title. She traveled the Russian countryside extensively and fell in love with the Russian people. They, in turn, loved her as well and willingly helped her overthrow her weakling husband to gain the throne.
She followed in the footsteps of Peter the Great and continued to modernize Russia.
Expecting another Czar, all were surprised to see Florence Nightingale!
What does Florence have to do with Russia? It was her work during the Crimean War that earned her the title, "The Lady with the Lamp" and changed nursing forever! Countless lives were saved by her simple sanitary practices.
Lastly, we took a peek into a meeting of the U.N.
Points to anyone [who wasn't at Russia Night] who can name the Russian delegate who angrily closed the meeting by banging his shoe upon the table!
After they were speaking, the children answered questions about their persons, then all answered general questions about Russia. I know the moms were pleased to see how much they remembered, even from the first month of study!
It's almost sad that I have done Russia for the last time.
Almost.
1 comment:
Looks like a lot of fun!
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