Third graders “travel to Russia” with Mrs. Kharkover

Mrs. Snow’s third-grade class on the Kenneth L. Rutherford Elementary School just lately took a journey internationally with out ever leaving the classroom, due to a particular go to from KLR artwork instructor, Mrs. Kharkover.

Mrs. Kharkover, who grew up in Saint Petersburg within the former Soviet Union (USSR), shared her private experiences of life underneath communist rule. She defined to college students that many households have been required to share residences, kitchens, closets, and even telephone strains. Despite her father working as a plastic surgeon and her mom as a rocket scientist, her household typically struggled to afford meals. She described standing in lengthy strains as a younger youngster simply to purchase milk and seeing retailer cabinets practically empty.

She additionally spoke about how uncommon and particular treats have been in Russia on the time. During New Year celebrations, kids would possibly obtain a single piece of gum or an orange, items that might price every week’s wages. Mrs. Kharkover in contrast this to how an American youngster would possibly really feel receiving a brand new bicycle for his or her birthday.

Transportation was one other main distinction. Most individuals couldn’t afford automobiles and walked in every single place. As a baby, she typically walked to the Winter Palace, constructed by Peter the Great within the 1700s. Today, the palace is residence to the Hermitage Museum, one of many largest museums on the planet, so massive that it can’t be toured in a single day. She additionally described the drawbridges alongside the Neva River, which rise to permit boats to cross whereas visitors and pedestrians wait beneath.

Students have been fascinated to be taught concerning the excessive chilly in Saint Petersburg. Mrs. Kharkover shared that snow typically falls as early as September 1, and that water can freeze within the air throughout winter. She advised a narrative about getting frostbite as a baby after eradicating her mitten to eat an apple, which resulted in a visit to the hospital.

She introduced in her grandmother’s tea doll, a cloth doll positioned over teapots to maintain tea heat in freezing temperatures. She additionally described Russia’s “White Nights” in June, when the solar shines for practically 23 hours a day, and shared recollections of going out for ice cream together with her grandfather at one o’clock within the morning.

Mrs. Kharkover additionally taught college students about Russian faculties, which frequently serve kids from kindergarten by way of tenth grade in the identical constructing. She described the big coat rooms the place college students saved heavy winter clothes and the college uniforms worn by all college students. Children additionally joined the Young Pioneers, a state-sponsored youth group related in construction to scouting packages within the United States, the place members wore crimson neckties as an emblem of participation.

Although life was troublesome, she emphasised that training was robust and free for all kids. She was capable of take lessons in artwork, fencing, and dance without charge.

The cultural lesson continued with Russian people artwork and storytelling. Mrs. Kharkover introduced in hand-painted wood jewellery containers that includes conventional fairy tales, together with one over 100 years outdated that had belonged to her grandfather. She shared tales comparable to the story of a magical dough ball chased by animals and the legend of Baba Yaga, a mysterious determine who lives in a home with hen legs.

As a hands-on exercise, every scholar obtained a Russian nesting doll, referred to as a matryoshka, and realized how you can paint it utilizing conventional Khokhloma designs. Students additionally had the chance to pattern in style Russian treats, together with lemon-chocolate, caramels, and gingerbread imported from Russia.

The expertise gave college students a memorable look into Russian historical past, tradition, and each day life, combining storytelling, artwork, and firsthand experiences into an enticing lesson they won’t quickly neglect.