Russia’s Propaganda Schools

1. Set Focus 
Pose these essential questions: What is propaganda? How can governments use propaganda to control their citizens?

2. Read and Discuss 
Have students read the article, marking key ideas and questions. Then ask them to answer the following questions, citing text evidence: 

• What are Vladimir Putin’s goals with the new curriculum Russian schools must teach? (One of his goals is to build support for his invasion of Ukraine. Other goals include indoctrinating young people into thinking that Russia’s annexation of Crimea was justified, that Putin is a great leader, and that his rise to power was a turning point for Russia. In addition, the propaganda is designed to convince people to stay in Russia.)

• Is the propaganda working? Explain. (There are many signs that the propaganda is working. One teacher explains that after she started teaching the curriculum, her students began repeating everything they heard from the state television reports and became pro-war. Another teacher says that anti-war feelings among her students evaporated after she began teaching the curriculum. But other teachers point out that controlling the minds of older students is more difficult.)

• How are teachers reacting to the requirements to spread Putin’s propaganda? What are the risks to teachers who subvert the propaganda? (As government employees, most teachers have little choice but to comply with the new demands. But some teachers are resisting, despite the risk of being jailed like other activists.)

3. Core Skill Practice
Assign, print, or project the activity Between the Lines. Have students use it to make and support inferences from the article.

4. Writing Prompt
What does the sidebar “Is Putin in Trouble?” add to your understanding of why Putin has utilized the propaganda? Explain in a brief essay.

5. Classroom Debate
Should the U.S. take steps to counter Putin’s propaganda?

6. Quiz & Skills
Assess comprehension with the quiz.