Урок к 10 классе на тему "Global Belarusians: Triumph Over Trials"

Global Belarusians: Triumph Over Trials

Theme: Success and Failure on a World Stage

Level: 10th Form

Learning Objectives:

•  Students will enhance their reading comprehension skills.

•  Students will expand their vocabulary related to global achievement, resilience, and career paths.

•  Students will develop fluency in speaking about the lives and accomplishments of internationally known Belarusians.

•  Students will improve their critical thinking abilities by examining factors contributing to global success and learning from setbacks.

Materials:

•  Story (below)

•  Vocabulary List (below)

•  Comprehension Question Worksheets

•  Discussion Prompts

•  Optional: Images of the featured figures

I. Pre-Text Activities (Warm-up & Vocabulary Prep) (15 minutes)

1. "World Stage" Brainstorm: Write "Global Success" on the board. Ask students:

  •  "What does it mean to be successful on a global scale? How is it different from local success?"

  •  "What qualities do you think are essential for someone to achieve worldwide recognition?"

  •  "What are some of the challenges someone might face trying to make it on the world stage?"

2. Belarusian Connection: Ask:

  •  "Can you name any people from Belarus who are famous internationally?"

  •  "What do you know about their lives or careers?" (Don't worry if students don't know anyone; this is just to gauge their current knowledge.)

3. Vocabulary Introduction: Present the key vocabulary (see list below). Pronounce the words, provide simple definitions, and use them in example sentences. Encourage student questions.

Vocabulary List:

•  Virtuoso: A person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit. (виртуоз)

•  Trajectory: A path followed by a projectile or other moving object. (траектория)

•  Avant-garde: New and unusual or experimental ideas, especially in the arts. (авангард)

•  Exile: The state of being barred from one's native country, typically for political or punitive reasons. (ссылка, изгнание)

•  Sanctioned: Officially authorized or approved. (санкционированный)

•  Pinnacle: The most successful point; the culmination. (вершина)

•  Renaissance: A revival of or renewed interest in something. (возрождение)

•  Ubiquitous: Present, appearing, or found everywhere. (повсеместный)

•  Repertoire: A stock of plays, dances, or pieces that a company or performer knows or is prepared to perform. (репертуар)

•  Legacy: Something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past. (наследие)

II. Text Activity (Reading and Comprehension) (30 minutes)

1. Silent Reading: Distribute the story and have students read it individually.

2. Comprehension Questions: Provide a worksheet with questions based on the story (examples below).

3. Think-Pair-Share: After individual work, students discuss the questions with a partner before a class discussion.

The Story: Belarusian Global Stars: Azarenka and Chagall

Belarus, though a small nation, has gifted the world with remarkable individuals. Two such examples are Victoria Azarenka, the tennis champion, and Marc Chagall, the avant-garde artist. Their lives, though vastly different, illuminate the intertwined nature of triumph and tribulation on a global scale.

Victoria Azarenka, a tennis virtuoso, rose rapidly through the ranks. Her trajectory to the top was meteoric. She dominated the sport, earning Grand Slam titles and becoming the world number one. However, her career faced significant challenges, including injuries that forced her to withdraw from competitions and a difficult custody battle that impacted her training schedule. Despite the setbacks, Azarenka demonstrated incredible resilience, returning to the sport and achieving further success. Even with political sanctions and the stress of her personal life, she rose to the challenge. While the pinnacle of her career might have passed, her determination to compete and represent her country remains unwavering. The name Azarenka is ubiquitous in the world of tennis.

Marc Chagall, on the other hand, carved his place in history through his unique artistic style. His early works, reflecting his Belarusian Jewish heritage, gained recognition in Russia and later in Paris. However, his life was marked by displacement and exile during both World Wars. Despite these hardships, Chagall continued to create, his art evolving and influencing generations. His distinctive style, characterized by dreamlike imagery and vibrant colors, has become iconic. Chagall experienced a renaissance in his career later in life, with his works displayed in major museums worldwide. His artistic repertoire and legacy continue to inspire artists and art lovers today. He proved that neither tragedy nor hardship could ever extinguish his creativity.

Both Azarenka and Chagall show the world that success is rarely a straight line. What defines them is their passion, perseverance, and the ability to transform adversity into fuel for their talent.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What are Victoria Azarenka and Marc Chagall famous for?

2. What were some of Azarenka's early achievements in tennis?

3. What challenges did Azarenka face in her career?

4. How did Azarenka demonstrate resilience despite setbacks?

5. How did Chagall’s identity shape his early work?

6. What major historical events impacted Chagall's life?

7. What characterizes Chagall's artistic style?

8. How did Chagall experience success later in life?

9. What qualities do Azarenka and Chagall have in common?

10. What did these two demonstrate to the world?

11. Why were these examples important?

12. What were Azarenka’s setbacks and achievements?

13. What was the world like when Chagall was alive?

14. Which artist struggled with external circumstances?

15. Summarise, in one sentence, what the passage is about.

III. Post-Text Activities (Speaking and Critical Analysis) (30 minutes)

1. Group Discussion: Divide students into small groups and assign one or more of the following discussion prompts:

  •  "How did political and historical events impact the lives and careers of Azarenka and Chagall?"

  •  "Is it harder to achieve success on a global scale compared to local success? Why or why not?"

  •  "What role does national identity play in the success of artists and athletes?"

  •  "Which aspects of Azarenka’s resilience are most admirable? Explain your view."

  •  "What makes Chagall's art so timeless and universally appealing?"

  •  "Can you think of examples of other famous people who faced exile or faced sanctions."

2. "Elevator Pitch" Activity: Ask students to imagine they are either Victoria Azarenka or Marc Chagall meeting someone in an elevator. Give them 60 seconds to introduce themselves, describe their work, and explain their journey, highlighting both successes and failures.

3. Debate: Assign students to debate the following statement: "Talent is more important than perseverance in achieving global success." Each side needs to prepare arguments and evidence to support their position.