Lesson Plan - Escape From a War Zone

Watch a Video: Escaping the War in Ukraine
Discuss: How have Ukrainians been affected by the Russian invasion and the ongoing war?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know. 

• civilians
• sponsor

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about how they might feel if they were in Vladik’s situation.

1. Why does the author say that getting out of Ukraine “wouldn’t be easy”?
Getting out was hard because millions of people were trying to leave. Also, the family had to say goodbyes, avoid driving at night, and travel through bombed-out areas.
^{R.2 Key Details}

2. What might Vladik mean when he says that “everything is different”?
Vladik means that life in Florida is very different from life in Ukraine. He’s living in a new home in a new country, attending a new school, and learning a new language.
^{R.1 Inference}

3. Based on the sidebar, how are refugees different from people who have been internally displaced?
Refugees leave their countries to escape danger. People who are internally displaced leave their hometowns for safer areas in their country.
^{R.5 Comparison}

FEATURED SKILL: Integrating Information
After reading the text and watching the videos, use “Leaving Home” to have students think about what refugees experience. 
^{R.9 Integrate Information}