Teaching about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and events happening there
Teaching about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and events happening there
The events of the last few days appear to have come out of nowhere to many people, especially children. While tensions have existed in the region for some time Russia’s decision to attack Ukraine was without provocation.
To have war return in such a way to the edges of Europe is very distressing for many of us, especially as we empathise with the Ukrainian people caught up in such brutality. There are lots of questions to ask about what is happening, including: how did it happen; should we have seen it coming; what can we do to help those suffering; what can we do to support those Russians that want to end the war; and will it lead to a war that could affect us all?
For many young people this might be the first war that they are aware of. However, while all of these questions are valid and young people’s concerns must be taken seriously, we must also be aware that as educators we cannot provide answers to all these questions, especially as this is a daily changing situation.
In 2007 the HA produced the T.E.A.C.H. report about Teaching Emotive And Controversial History. In the report are important guidance, considerations and approaches to exploring some of the difficult emotions that may arise while discussing the current events in Ukraine, Russia and NATO.
As professionals we must be aware to help the young people in our care to understand that many of the issues are complex, both new and old, and changing. There is an opportunity to introduce new historical knowledge, but only if we are clear that this is something that perhaps we are also investigating for the first time and that it may all raise further questions.
After two years of Covid there is a risk that children’s anxiety is further increased if current events are raised, so any discussion should bear that in mind. Guidance on how to handle that is also here.
For children in primary school and the lower years of Key Stage 3 it might simply be a case of exploring the moral issues of helping those affected by the conflict rather than trying to address some of the larger geopolitical issues. For others it might be an opportunity to broaden knowledge of wider European and global history – however, all of this must be handled with care and an awareness that all conflicts raise further complexities.
During this particular set of world-changing events historical knowledge is important to help us unpick and interpret some of what is happening, along with enabling us all to approach discussing this conflict. It may also help people to respond to the unfolding humanitarian crisis.
Collated here are some of the resources that different organisations and individuals have put together to help educators and young people explore and manage this continually unfolding current event. We may add to it when appropriate resources are brought to our attention.
Please note: links to other websites will open in a new window/tab. The Historical Association is not responsible for the content of external websites.
Primary children, KS3-aged children and approaching sensitive issues
- Ukraine, children and schools (open-access Primary History article)
- The T.E.A.C.H. Report / Historical Association (history.org.uk) - Teaching Emotive and Controversial History
- Suggestions of how the conflict can be picked up across different subjects: Ukraine and Russia (Global Dimension)
- Supporting children to manage anxiety over war, conflict and crises (British Psychological Society)
- How to talk to children about the invasion of Ukraine, and why those conversations are important (theconversation.com)
- Russia launches attack on Ukraine (CBBC Newsround)
History, politics and citizenship teaching
- "Ukraine and the world: introduction to history and civic education" (M. Kaftan, I. Kostyuk and K. Novikova) - textbook for 6th grade which has been granted government approval for use in Ukrainian schools
- Ukrainian history textbooks for refugee students (EuroClio)
Cold War background
- The Cold War: Period Study (Historical Association)
- A-Level Topic Guide: The Cold War (Historical Association)
- Podcast Series: The Cold War (Historical Association)
What is happening in Ukraine
- Geopolitics: Russia, Ukraine & NATO (era.org.uk)
- Russia launches attack on Ukraine (CBBC Newsround)
- Teaching the War in Ukraine: Resources Recommended by Educators (Global Education Benchmark Group, GEBG)
- Resources to teach about the invasion of Ukraine (padlet.com)
- War in Ukraine (BBC News)
- Educators Institute for Human Rights has shared this PDF of resources for teachers
- The New York Times Learning Network prepared this “Lesson of the Day: ‘The Invasion of Ukraine: How Russia Attacked and What Happens Next’” that has some good background materials.
- Brown University’s Choices Program unit on Ukraine (also has some background materials).
- Edweek’s article “How to Talk with Students About the Russia-Ukraine War” includes 5 tips for discussing conflict with young people.
Accessible news materials recommended by GEBG educators for use with students
- The New York Times Daily podcast has continuing coverage, useful episodes include Feb 23rd’s “A Knife to the Throat: Putin’s Logic for Invading Ukraine” and Feb 25th’s “Ukrainian’s Choice: Fight or Flee?”
- The Guardian, “Russia’s War in Ukraine Complete Guide in Maps, Videos, and Pictures” has no paywall and excellent maps. They also have continuing coverage including an article highlighting the role of social media in this war: ”The first TikTok war: how are influencers in Russia and Ukraine responding?”
- Foreign Affairs ongoing coverage updated on this page – provides more in-depth articles including ones that address sanctions, differing opinions within Russia, and the role of fossil fuels in this war.
- BBC ongoing coverage updated on this page – includes some short video clips as well as stories on various sub-topics including impact and influence of China, and refugees leaving Ukraine.
- The Moscow Times, an independent English news media outlet in Russia, has ongoing coverage on the front page of their website.
- The Freedom Forum’s Today’s Front Pages shows front pages of the newspapers (not just those in English language) from around the world via an interactive map.