Materials

• Transparency of a natural resource map of Russia and Central Asia
• One copy of the Natural Resources, Employment, Exports Worksheet (Attachment A) for each student
• An outline political map of the region for each student
• Almanacs and/or Internet access

Instructional Activities

1. Display a natural resource map or the region, and instruct students to list the natural resources found in Russia and Central Asia, create a symbol for each resource, and draw the symbols in the appropriate countries on an outline map.
   
   
2. Instruct students to research on the Internet or in almanacs the primary types of employment in each country and the primary exports of each country. Have students complete a chart (Attachment A) to display the data they find.
   
   
3. Direct students to research pollution in Russia and Central Asia to determine the state of the environment and the laws governing the environment. For example, students may research the accident at Chernobyl and the state of that area today.
   
   
4. Introduce Fabergé eggs by displaying pictures of some, explaining the reasons they were created, and outlining the expense involved in creating them. Emphasize that the precious jewels and gold in the eggs were mined in Russia.
   
   
5. Assign a teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or other reinforcement activity, using available teacher resources.