Books on Russia
Countries of the World: Russia by Henry Russell
Russia ABC's by Anne Berge
Eyewitness Books: Russia by Merrell (gorgeous photos!)
Children Just Like Me by Kindersley
Saint Vladimir information: Vladimir
We had some very interesting conversations about how one could start out so bad and still end up a saint. Everyone wrote a narration and added pictures from our internet search. Google images is such a help!
Famous People and Places
St. Petersburg by Deborah Kent
(picture of onion dome building surrounded by facts)
Anastasia's Album by Hugh Brewster
Anastasia: The Last Grand Duchess by Carolyn Meyer
(Essay by big kids on the life of Anastasia)
Catherine: The Great Journey by Kristina Gregory
We watched the cartoon 'Anastasia' and I cannot recommend it. The only interesting point was the continuous explanations I had to give to my younger children about how none of this really happened.
Documentaries
Russia, Land of the Tsars
Treasure, The Csar's Faberge Eggs
Tchaikovsky CD's
Tchaikovsky Discovers America
The Story of Tchaikovsky in Words and Music
The Very Best of Tchaikovsky
One note when researching Tchaikovsky: He was a brilliant man who led a colorful life. Be careful to pre-read any internet biographies to ensure they are age appropriate for children. Big kids did a written narration.
We studied icons in the orthodox church and, of course, drew and painted one of our own. Our choice was Theotokos, the Birth-Giver to God, otherwise known to us as the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was fascinating to learn about the different symbols and meanings attached to colors.
The eggs are our version of Faberge's unbelievable creations. We spent an afternoon looking at photos on the internet and marveling at their perfect intricacy.
A highlight of our Russian art projects was painting Matroyshka dolls. Stephen just happened to bring home an IBM advertisement that was a set of nesting dolls. My artists meticulously painted over the logos and, ta-da, our own personal set of dolls. 
Matryoshka
The Littlest Matryoshka by Corinne Demas Bliss
The Magic Nesting Doll by Jacqueline K. Ogburn
Did you know that nesting dolls originated in China?
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| Family dolls by Collette, Grace & Mom, and Quinton. |
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| Making Russian apple pie. |
Food
Foods of Russia by Barbara Sheen
Russian Girl by Russ Kendall
(recipe for pie and fun glossary for writing in Russian,
see the lil' girls' example below)
The big kids made up Russian dinner menus complete with enticing descriptions and the little ones baked up a Russian apple pie. It was sweet and a cross between cake and custard. The recipe is so simple!
Apple Pie
4 small apple cut into bite sized chunks
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
Butter a shallow casserole dish and spread the apple chunks around inside. Spoon the egg mixture over the top. Bake at 375 for 30 to 45 minutes. Eat when cool with a glass of milk.
Cultural Stories
The Wolfhound by Kristine L. Franklin
Once There was a Tree by Natalia Romanova
Another Celebrated Dancing Bear by Gladys Scheffrin-Falk
Babushka's Doll by Patricia Polacco
Rechenka's Eggs by Patricia Polacco
The Firebird by Brad Kessler (Narration on computer)
Peter and the Wolf
We enjoyed listening and watching this musical story several times. There is a 2006 claymation version that is more sophisticated and artsy, as well as, the classic Disney cartoon. Both were enjoyed immensely. The little girls also colored and cut out the characters of the story for retellings to the little boys. Collette then glued them into one fixed scene for her notebook.
I definitely could have spent more time in Russia but the rest of the world was calling.
Next stop: INDIA
Hi Summer!
ReplyDeleteIt's Lisa from the SL-Catholic list! What wonderful and creative activities you did with your children! I am SO impressed.
God bless you all!