Ideas for Teaching and Learning about Ukraine

Peter A. Pantina, Ed.D.

Looking for some practical ideas for teaching and learning about Ukraine?  Here is a list of the kinds of activities I have used successfully in schools in past years.  Many of the creations can be published online, or added to the school’s webpage.  These can be ongoing, or part of a Ukraine Awareness Day or Ukraine Awareness Week, etc.  Some activities could be school-wide; others are more classroom appropriate.  

Ribbons:

Set up a table in the lobby with blue and yellow ribbons.  Have students wear ribbons to support freedom in Ukraine.

Statements:

Have a group of students write a statement or statements supporting Ukraine, freedom, and democracy.  Have the statements read aloud by the individual students in selected classes (so that many students get to speak, not just one PA announcement).

Map and mural:  LOVE THIS!

“Hands across to Ukraine”:  Create a brown paper mural of a map that stretches from the U.S. to Ukraine.  Have students cut out a tracing of their hand on construction paper of different colors  They should sign their name on their hand cutout.  Connect each signed hand by gluing/taping them as they extend from U.S. to Ukraine.  

Acronyms:

Students in groups devise acronyms for Ukraine, for example:

Unity

Kindnesss 

Righteous

Admirable

Independence

Noble 

Exemplary

Writing Poetry:

In English classes, encourage students write poems of support.  Publish online.  Make some posters.  

Writing Monologues:

In social studies or English classes, encourage students to write “interior” monologues taking on the role of a Ukrainian teenager.  Video monologues.

Gathering Words from Ukraine:

Find excerpts from speeches, samples of letters, tweets, e-mails, from Ukraine, so we can hear directly the voice of Ukraine’s people.

Art:

In art classes, encourage students to create Ukraine-inspired artwork.  Publish photos online.  Display where you can.

Classroom Game:

What would we lose if an adjacent town annexed us; for example, our identity, our mascot, our  school name, school logo/seal, traditions?

Flags:

Create a display of International flags; specifically, the flags of the U.S., Ukraine, our allies; the NATO flag; the UN flag, etc.

Students Teaching Students:

Organize a group of high school students to design a presentation for middle school students, teaching about Ukraine; for example, locating Ukraine in Europe; explaining NATO; showing photos of political figures; describing the effect of war on families, women, and children, schools, homes, etc.  ALSO, answering middle schooler’s questions, and showing photos of persons in the news.

Information Posters—NATO:

What is NATO?   What is NATO an acronym for?   Who are the member nations of NATO?   What is NATO ’s purpose?  Important date in NATO history.   

https://www.nato.int

Information Posters—the UN.:

What is the UN?   What does UN mean?   What is the UN Charter?   Who are the the 6 principal organizations of the UN?  Who are the permanent members of the Security Council with veto powers?  What is the Universal Bill of Rights?

https://www.un.org/en/