Class theme/topics discussed:
Famous Russians

How did you pick this theme or topic?
I thought it might be relevant for the students to get to know a number of well-known names related to the Russian culture and history.

How did you present the material? (handouts, group work, general discussion, student presentations, etc.)
Handouts, presentation.

How did students react?
They were curious and eager to share their knowledge of Russian history.
Did they engage with each other and you? Yes.

What materials or media did you use? (articles, satellite tv, digital projector, etc.)
TV-screen, laptop, paper handouts.
Please attach a copy.
Sept 24_Handout _1
Sept 24_Handout_3
Sept 24_ Presentation_Famous Russians

Would you recommend this activity for a future class? Yes.
Why or why not?
It allows students to find out more about Russian culture.

Some Facts about Russia – Famous People

1. Brainstorming: ask the students to fill out the chart with the names of famous Russians: Sept 24_Handout _1

Какие имена вы знаете?

Писатель
Политический деятель
Художник
Режиссер
Музыкант
Историческая фигура
Спортсмен
Ученый

2. Famous Russians:
1) Show to the students on the screen the pictures of the following people (Sept 24_ Presentation_Famous Russians):

– Чайковский
– Ломоносов
– Менделеев
– Пушкин
– Репин
– Маяковский
– Жуков
– Нуреев
– Гагарин
– Буре
– Достоевский
– Горбачев
– Сафин.

Make them guess who these people are. After hearing all the opinions give them the correct answer. What do they know about these people?

2) Distribute the handout #2. From: Ольга Штельтер. В этой маленькой корзинке… СПб: «Златоуст», 2009. P. 42. «Кто есть кто?»
Check if they remember the people discussed.

3. Revision of comparative adjectives (Sept 24_Handout_3).
Students make up sentences using the comparative form of the given adjective.

1) Дмитрий Медведев/ Барак Обама/ молодой.
2) Москва/ Санкт-Петербург/ древний.
3) В/ Сочи/ Норильск/ теплый.
4) Эрмитаж/ Третьяковская галерея/ большой.
5) Волга/ Днепр/ длинный.

Now ask the students to paraphrase the sentences using antonyms of the adjectives above.

4. Comparison – Handout #4: From: В Пути. Russian Grammar in Context. 2d edition. P. 269, ex. 10-27, 10-28.

5. Handout #5. From: Ольга Штельтер. В этой маленькой корзинке… СПб: «Златоуст», 2009. P. 45: “С каким именем связан соответствующий исторический период?”