Russian and East European Institute 
Books and Classroom Kits
Elementary School Level
The Balkans
Eastern Europe
The Holocaust
Russia
Language Learning Materials
Sources marked in red were added to REEI's library
during the 2006/2007 academic year.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEVEL
Cheese and Honey: Folk Tale Selections From the Slavic Center.
Four Slavic folk tales including Chukchi, Latvian, Polish and Czech
tales. Published by the Center for Slavic and East European Studies
at the University of California at Berkeley, 1992, 28 pp.
Enchantment of the World: Hungary.
By Ann Stalcup. 2005. It's geography for a new generation, an invaluable resource for facts and figures, and a fascinating, highly visual introduction to Hungary. Full-color photos, original maps, interactive, browser-friendly sidebars, handly "fast facts," and an authoritative "to find out more" section, including Internet resources.
Faces: The Magazine About People.
- The Baltics (one copy)
- Bosnia (three copies)
- Georgia (seven copies)
- The Gypsies (one copy)
- Serbia (one copy)
- Ukraine (six copies)
Koshka's Tales: Stories from Russia. By James Mayhew,
Kingfisher Books, 1993, 80 pp.
The author has retold five of the most famous Russian fairy tales in
contemporary English. The tales are woven together by the cat Koshka,
a wise old story-telling cat, who is narrating to a banished Tsaritsa
and are accompanied by full-color, full-page illustrations, also done
by Mayhew.
Our Global Village: Poland. Written by Don McKay and
illustrated by Kathy Mitter, Milliken Publishing Company, 1994. Introduction
to Polish history and culture including daily life, holidays, foods,
stories, games, and basic language expressions.
Our Global Village: Russia. Written by Susan J. Williams
and illustrated by Kathy Mitter, Milliken Publishing Company, 1993.
Introduction to Russian history and culture including daily life, holidays,
foods, stories, games and basic language expressions.
Peter and Catherine: Two Russian Greats. By Rosalie F. and Charles Baker
Both Peter and Catherine introduced reforms designed to make Russia and world power, and, as a result, changed the course of their country's history. May/June 1997 Calliope World History for Young People.
Religions of the World Series: I am Eastern Orthodox. Written
by Philemon D. Sevastiades. 1996. A teaching book highlighting the basics
of Eastern Orthodoxy from the point of view of Anastasia, an Orthodox
child living in Chicago, with simple texts and color photographs. Grades
1-4.
Russia: A Literature-Based Multicultural Unit.
Written by Betsy Franco, 1993. A book of reading and classroom activites
on Russian culture and language appropriate for grades 1-3. Topics include
folk tales, matroshka dolls, and Peter and the Wolf.
Russia: The Lands, Peoples, and Cultures Series. A Bobbie Kalman Book. Crabtree Publishing Company, 2000. A full-color three-book series.
A Visit to Russia and Ukraine. Story by Mary Packard and illustrated by Benrei Huang. A Golden Book, Western Publishing Company, 1995.
TOP
THE BALKANS
ACCESS Issue Packet on Bosnia-Herzegovina. 1996, 149
pp. Provides an introduction to ethnic conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina
and includes basic information on the area, a description of NATO’s
role in the conflict, documents such as The Dayton Peace Accord, maps,
and an extensive list of sources.
The Balkans Ethnic Conflict. Jackdaw Publications,
2000. This activities and information packet provides a history of the
Balkans up to 1918. The packet contains maps, historical essays and
exercises related to the Balkans.
Collapse of a Multinational State: The Case of Yugoslavia.
1994. Published by SPICE, this unit, designed for world history and contemporary
issue courses, explores the concept of nationalism within a European
context by examining the dynamics of nationalistic sentiments in the
former Yugoslavia. A reader's theater, mapping exercises and primary
source materials will help students gain a better understanding of the
concept of nationalism and the dynamics occuring within the former Yugoslavia.
Crisis in Kosovo (CRI). Produced by Knowledge Unlimited, Inc. VHS housed with REEI film collection. Accompanying materials housed with REEI outreach materials.
Life in War-Torn Bosnia, by Diane Yancey, 110 pp. 1996. A
part of the "The Way People Live" series, this book describes the recent
violence in Bosnia and the historical background behind it.
The Struggle for Peace in Bosnia: Considering U.S. Options.
1993. Created by the Brown University Center for Foreign Policy Development,
this Choices for the 21st Century curriculum unit consists of four divergent
options for the U.S. towards the Bosnia conflict, a brief account of
Yugoslavia's history, and an introduction to events of the 20th century
contributing to the current situation.
Teaching Modern Southeast European History: Alternative Educational Materials. Written by the Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in Southeast Europe (CDRSEE) in 2006. The four history books included in the packet are The Ottoman Empire, Nations and States in Southeast Europe, The Balkan Wars, and The Second World War. The workbooks contain original source material from 11 countries of Southeast Europe.
EASTERN EUROPE
Comparative Lessons for Democracy. By John Fischer and
Dawn Shinew. 1997. The lessons in this book have been developed and field
tested for use in American middle and secondary schools. The lessons
have been developed through a collaborative process involving educators
and scholars from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Russia,
and the United States.
The Democratic Process: Promises and Challenges. By The American Forum for Global Education, 2003. Includes essay and short lessons on the democratization process in Eastern Europe and Russia from the fall of communism to 2003.
Destination: Lithuania. Prepared by World Wise Schools
and the United States Peace Corps. 1994.
Accompanies the video "Destination Lithuania." The activities described
in the guide are divided into three parts. Part I provides background
information on the Peace Corps and Lithuania. Part II contains supplemental
activities divided into three grade levels: 3-5, 6-9 and 10-12. Part
III provides resources--worksheets, maps and a bibliography. The goal
of the guide and video are to present basic information on the culture
and geography of Lithuania. Companion videos are available in the REEI
video lending library.
Destination: Poland. Prepared by World Wise Schools
and the United States Peace Corps. 1994.
Accompanies the video "Destination Poland." The activities described
in the guide have been written for three grade levels: 3-5, 6-9 and
10-12. The goal of the guide and video are to present basic information
on the geography of Poland; political and economic changes currently
taking place in Poland; and to introduce two aspects of Polish culture:
history and symbols. Companion videos are available in the REEI video
lending library.
Eastern Europe: Captive Lands. 1992. 50 pages of handouts
and lesson plans for secondary teachers. Includes topics on the Cold
War and collective economies.
Eastern Europe: Dissidence Censored. 1992. Nearly 40 pages
of handouts and lesson plans for secondary teachers on dissidence movements
under Communism and its censorship.
Eastern Europe: The Unfinished Revolution. 1992. 50 pages
of lesson plans and handouts for secondary teachers about the restructuring
of Eastern Europe after the Cold War.
International Biographies: Eastern Europe. The Center for Learning, 1992.
If you’re considering lessons and activities based on important and influential figures in Eastern European history, this may be the book for you. Covering such famous personalities as Alexander the Great, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Tito, each study has a reading and classroom activity as well as teacher’s notes and suggestions for effective teaching of the topics.
Appropriate for grades 4, 5, and 6.
Mapping Europe. A curriculum unit for grades six to ten developed by The Europe Project, Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE), 1992, revised 2004. Includes information on the European Union.
A Survey of World Cultures: Europe. By Ann Chatterton Klimas. 2001. Includes chapters on Europe as well as separate chapters on Greece, Italy, The United Kingdom, France, Norway, Germany, Poland and Romania, with sections on geography, climate, history, language, the arts, as well as a spotlight story for each country.
THE HOLOCAUST
The Holocaust. Part of the World History Series. 1998. Using
visual materials as historical documents, this set unables students
to study cartoons, drawings, and photographs as the basis for guided
discussion and follow-up work. It contains 12 black-and-white transparencies
and a 20-page resource booklet containing four lessons with background
data for each illustration, plus multiple questions and activities.
Grades 7-12.
Life in the Warsaw Ghetto. By Gail B. Stewart, Lucent
Books, 1995, 112pp. This book examines how people lived under the government
of the Third Reich in German-occupied Poland. Establishing the historical
background, the book depicts the lives of Jews in Warsaw with the aid
of photographs and selections from memoir accounts.
The Routledge Atlas of the Holocaust. Third Edition. By Martin Gilbert. 2002.
The harrowing history of the Nazi attempt to annihilate the Jews of Europe during the Second World War is illustrated in this series of 320 highly detailed maps. The horror of the time is further revealed by shocking photographs. The maps do not concentraet solely on the fate of the Jews; they also set their chronological story in the broader context of the war itself and include historical background, the beginning of the violence, the spread of the horrors, and the relief from the atrocities.
RUSSIA
Atlas of Russian History: From 800 B.C. to the Present Day. By Martin Gilbert. 1993. Surveying more than 2000 years of Russian history, this atlas presents maps on an extraordinary range of topics, including examinations of rebellion and exile, famine, the anarchists of Russia, the growth of revolutionary activity before 1917, the Revolution itself, Lenin's return to Russia, the early years of Communism, the Cuban missile crisis, relations with China, trade, and military strength. This second edition also features new maps charting the collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe, the changing names of Russian cities, the emerging Asian republics, and the individuals and institutions of the new Russia.
Crossroads of Continents. Various articles, a map, and
an instructional guide discuss the cultures of both Siberia and Alaska. Companion videos are available in the REEI video
lending library.
The Democratic Process: Promises and Challenges. By The American Forum for Global Education, 2003. Includes essay and short lessons on the democratization process in Eastern Europe and Russia from the fall of communism to 2003.
The Fall of the Soviet Union. By Miles Harvey, Children's
Press, 1995, 31 pp.
Grades 3-6. Describes the events of 1991 and their political and social
legacy. Includes a glossary and time-table.
Inside the Kremlin: Soviet and Russian Leaders from Lenin to
Putin. From the Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural
Education (SPICE), 217 pp., includes accompanying lectures on DVD. 2004. Inside the Kremlin introduces students to key elements of Soviet
and Russian history through the philosophies and legacies of six of
its leaders - Vladimir Lenin, Iosif (Joseph) Stalin, Nikita Khrushchev,
Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, and Vladimir Putin. Each of the six
lessons features a 30-minute lecture about one of the leaders, given
by a Stanford University professor. Individual and group activites utilize
a variety of materials including primary source documents, statistics,
political propaganda posters, and quotes.
An Introduction to Russian Literature. 1975. Teaching and discussion material, background material, and instructions for presentation precede the filmscript script. To be used in conjunction with the filmscript. Companion videos are available in the REEI video
lending library.
Living in Russia Today VHS videocassette (25 minutes),
resource guide, 25 copies of newspaper, teacher's guide. interviews,
location footage, good graphics, and infectious music, this engaging
program is organized into segments: people, places, history, customs,
business, diversity, art, and more. Viewers meet, for example, a descendant
of Tolstoy and the American manager of a youth hostel; visit a dacha;
and learn about the siege of Leningrad from a survivor. Included with
the video are a teacher's guide with six lessons, a reproducible 19-page
resource guide with facts and Web sites, and 25 copies of an eight-page
newspaper. Grades 7 and up. Color.
Companion videos are available in the REEI video
lending library.
Mapping Russia: Geographic and Cultural Diversity. Developed by Dr. Arthur Khachikian. 2001. Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE). Includes a lesson on Russia, the Northern Caucasus, and Siberia. Each lesson includes an introduction, objectives, list of materials needed, teacher preparation, time, procedure, transparency, multiple handouts or fact sheets and a teacher answer sheet, if required.
The Newly Independent States of Eurasia. By Stephen
and Sandra Batalden, 233 pp. 1993. The second edition provides even more current
information on the states of Central Asia, the Caucusus, the Russian
Federation, Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine. The Bataldens provide general
information, including economic and demographic statistics, on every
country in the regions listed above. Bibliographic information is also
provided.
The Origins of the Cold War. Part of the World History
Series. 1998. Using visual materials as historical documents, this set unables
students to study cartoons, drawings, and photographs as the basis for
guided discussion and follow-up work. It contains 12 black-and-white
transparencies and a 20-page resource booklet containing four lessons
with background data for each illustration, plus multiple questions
and activities. Grades 7-12.
The Penguin Historical Atlas of Russia.
By John Channon. 1995. This atlas follows the fortunes of what is still the world's largest land-based empire, from Kievan Rus to Yeltsin's Russia. It takes in the rise of Muskovy, the creaton of the new capital of St. Petersburg, territorial expansion under Catherine the Great, the ordeal of 1812, the exploration of the "Wild East", the liberation of the serfs and the revolution of 1917.
People and Power: Russia 1914-1941. Standard Grade History
by David Armstrong, junior high level, 1993, 80 pp. This book examines
the Russian revolutions of 1917 and the turbulent years that followed
through the motives and personalities not only of the Tsar and the revolutionary
leaders, but also of many of the ordinary people whose lives were affected
by this period of upheaval. The text is supplemented by an engaging
range of source material, and exercises including role play and group
work are designed to provide a variety of learning experiences.
The Routledge Atlas of Russian History. Martin Gilbert,
2002.
The complex and often turbulent history of Russia over the course of
2000 years is brought to life in a series of 169 maps. It covers not
simply the wars and expansion of Russia but also a wealth of less conspicuous
details of its history from famine and anarchism to the growth of naval
strength and the strengths of the river systems. From 800 B.C. to the
fall of the Soviet Union, this indispensable guide to Russian history
covers war and conflict, politics, industry, economics, transport, society,
trade, and culture. Middle/High School.
Russia: Facing the Future. A report of Carnegie Corporation of New York. By Adam N. Stulberg. 2001. Video documentary and scholarly report on Russian society today. With words and pictures, the package paints a vivid portrait of Russia's economic, political, military and social upheaval - as well as Russian anxieties about national security, fueled by the West's sometimes warm, sometimes cold welcome. Companion videos are available in the REEI video
lending library.
Russia and the "Near Abroad." By MindSparks,
2003.
A teacher's resource booklet with lesson plans and reproducible student
activity assignments. This booklet covers topics on the legacy of Communism,
democratization, and Russia's neighbors and includes several transparencies
of photographs and political cartoons. High School level.
Russia and the Other Former Soviet Republics in Transition. Produced by Julia Johnson-White and Peter Klemm-WhiteExcerpts from the SCIS Peabody Award-winning series of programs together with news and historical footage. 2001. A six-part videotape featuring excerpts from the 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997 meetings with the former Secretaries of State and former Secretaries of Defense, and excerpts from videotapes interviews with foreign and U.S. experts on Russia. Companion videos are available in the REEI video
lending library.
Russia, The Eurasian Republics, and Central/Eastern Europe,
9th ed. By Milton Goldman. Global Studies Series, McGraw-Hill/Dushkin
2002.
Russia in Ruins. By Knowledge Unlimited, 1999. An 18-minute
videotape is accompanied by a teacher's guide. The teacher's guide contains
commentary and reproducable activities for students. The video looks
at why this nation has failed to adapt easily to capitalism. Eight exercises
are designed for students to organize and complete on their own and
the others are designed for classroom participation and teacher presentation.
The Russian Revolution: A collection of contemporary documents compiled by Anthony Cash. 1975. Examples of propoganda, photos, maps to teach about the Russian Revolution.
The Russian Revolution.
By Walter A. Hazen and Kathryn Wheeler. 2000. A resource of student activities and background information that brings history to life through "eyewitness" accounts. Lessons are introduced through a fictitious letter, postcard, or diary entry written by an "eyewitness," which incorporates historical facts. Thought-provoking discussion questions and suggestions for extending the lesson are also included.
The Russian Revolution I: The Bolshevick Takeover
The Russian Revolution II: The Bolshevicks and the World
1999. Part of the World History Series. Using visual materials as historical
documents, these sets unables students to study cartoons, drawings,
and photographs as the basis for guided discussion and follow-up work.
Each set contains 12 black-and-white transparencies and a 20-page resource
booklet containing four lessons with background data for each illustration,
plus multiple questions and activities. Grades 7-12.
A Survey of World Cultures: Russia and the Former Soviet Republics. By Ed Brandt. 2001. Includes information on Russia's geography and climate, history, arts and sciences, and government.
Teaching Russian Studies: Geography. History. Language. Culture. Art. Center for Teaching International Relations, University of Denver, 1996. Sections on global perspectives and cross-cultural awareness, Russian studies, and Russian arts, crafts, music and dance.
Through Russian Eyes (THR) 1999. This secondary school
curriculum for teaching about Russia was designed and written by 15
Russian educators for their American counterparts. After teaching for
five months in American schools, these educators compiled this book,
including everything American secondary teachers need for introducing
their students to Russian history, culture, society and art. Includes
10 lesson plans on literature, recent economic and political changes,
folk customs, history, the arts, architecture, the Russian character
and more! The curriculum is designed to last 2 to 4 weeks of class time.
A full-color, bilingual wall map, 17 slides and nearly a dozen handouts
are included.
World History Series: The Rise and Fall of Soviet Communism. By Phil Giltner. 2004. Lessons on the Communist Manifesto, The Russian Revolution, Stalinism and the Totalitarian State, Failure of the Soviet System, and Reform and Collapse all have a teacher page and student worksheet. Includes culminating activity, answer key, rubrics, related websites, and suggested curriculum materials at the end of the book.
World History Series: Russia of the Tsars. James E. Strickler, 1998.
A book for high school students regarding Russia’s history in
relation to the tsars. Organized into separate readings on related topics.
Language Learning/Teaching Materials
Davai. Russian language periodical includes brief articles and Western cartoons translated into Russian. Suitable for elementary-intermediate language classes.
DJEL'SOMINO. Abridged and annotated by Claire Walker. 1974. An abridgement of its original and consists of excerpts from the Russian text. A few of the most interesting parts of the story are retained here, with any necessary transitions supplied in brief English passages. In this reader the basic grammar of Russian, the numerals, the basic high school list of 600 words are assumed.
The First Thousand Words in Russian. By Amery, Kirilenko and Cartwright. 1983. Includes pronunciation guide.
Russko-angliiskii Slovar' v Kartinkakh (An Illustrated Russian-English Dictionary). Krattli, Zelenov and Richardson Publications, 1994, 232 pp. A book of over 700 full-color illustrations and over 5000 terms and phrases. This book covers 23 themes and 350 subjects from the natural world to the cosmos to the human body, as well as mechanical and technical subjects.
Russian Picture Word Book. By Svetlana Rogers and Barbara Steadman, Dover Publications, 2003, 33pp.
Each of the 15 scenes illustrated in this book contains dozens of familiar objects, all clearly identified by Russian words. By studying the pictures, students can learn over 500 terms for a variety of household items, clothing, foods, furniture, animals, parts of the body, types of stores and public buildings, and other subjects. A complete list of Russian words and their English translations is located at the back of the book. Altogether, the result is an attractive and useful language resource that will appeal to any student of basic Russian - child or adult.
Teach Me Russian. Includes audiocassettes and accompanying teacher's guide.
Teach Me More Russian: A Musical Journey Through the Year. For Children Ages 2-12. By Teach Me Tapes, Inc. Over 35 minutes of popular songs in Russian and English. Travel through the year- visit a beach and farm, enjoy a picnic and birthday party, explore museums and celebrate holidays. A 20-page book, includes a 45-minute audio cassette.
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