Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Provide an overview and context on the political, economic, and social scenario of the Russian Revolution, highlighting the main factors that contributed to the rise of Lenin and Stalin.
2. Analyze the life, thinking, and actions of Lenin and Stalin during the Russian Revolution, emphasizing the leadership and ideologies of each one.
3. Understand the main differences and similarities between Lenin and Stalin, particularly in relation to their internal and external policies.

Secondary objectives:

1. Stimulate critical thinking about the impact of Lenin's and Stalin's actions on world history and the formation of the Soviet regime.
2. Encourage analytical thinking and classroom discussion about the dilemmas and challenges faced by Lenin and Stalin, and the consequences of their decisions.
3. Promote students' understanding of the context and the importance of the Russian Revolution for contemporary history.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Review of previous content: The teacher will begin the class by reminding students about the historical context that preceded the Russian Revolution. They will briefly talk about Czarist Russia, the situation of the peasantry, the accelerated industrialization, and the social discontent that culminated in the revolution. They will also recall the main events of the revolution up to the period in question. (3 - 5 minutes)

2. Problem situation: The teacher will present two situations for the students to think about and discuss:

   • Situation 1: Imagine that you are a worker in early 20th-century Russia and you're dissatisfied with the situation of poverty and exploitation. What would you do to change this situation?

   • Situation 2: Suppose you are a revolutionary leader who has just taken power after the fall of the Czarist regime. What would be your first actions to transform Russia into a socialist society? (3 - 5 minutes)

3. Contextualization: The teacher will explain the importance of the topic, emphasizing that the Russian Revolution and the subsequent period were historical milestones that shaped the modern world. The actions of Lenin and Stalin during that time had lasting consequences for Russia and the rest of the world, both positive and negative. (2 - 3 minutes)

4. Getting the students' attention: To spark the students' interest, the teacher could:

   • Share curiosities about Lenin and Stalin, such as the origin of their real names and why they changed them.

   • Tell stories or anecdotes that illustrate the personality or actions of both, such as Lenin's famous order to assassinate the Czarist royal family or the brutality of the Stalinist purges.

   • Show images or videos related to the topic, such as photographs of pre-revolutionary Russia, speeches by Lenin, or films about Stalin. (2 - 5 minutes)

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Activity 1: "Path to Revolution" (10 - 12 minutes)

   • Description: In this activity, students will be divided into groups and given cards with events and decisions that led to the Russian Revolution, from the death of Lenin to the rise of Stalin. Each card will have a brief description and a date. The goal is for students to organize these cards in chronological order, creating a "path" that represents the sequence of events that allowed Stalin to rise to power.

   • Step by step:

     1. The teacher divides the class into groups of up to 5 students.
     2. Each group receives a set of cards and a large cloth or cardboard to organize the cards.
     3. Students read the card descriptions and try to identify the correct date.
     4. After identifying the date, students should place the card in the "path" in chronological order.
     5. At the end of the activity, each group should present their "path" to the class, explaining the sequence of events that led to Stalin's rise.

2. Activity 2: "Lenin vs. Stalin: Who did more for the Russian Revolution?" (10 - 12 minutes)

   • Description: In this activity, students will continue to work in groups. Each group will receive a list of actions and policies of Lenin and Stalin and will have to decide, justifying their choices, who they consider did more for the Russian Revolution.

   • Step by step:

     1. The teacher hands out the list of actions and policies of Lenin and Stalin to each group.
     2. Students discuss in their groups the actions and policies listed, considering the impact of each one on the Russian Revolution.
     3. After discussing, students vote and choose one action or policy from each leader that they consider to be the most significant.
     4. Each group should prepare a brief presentation for the class, explaining their choice and justifying why the selected action or policy was the most important for the Russian Revolution.

3. Activity 3: "Debate: Leninism vs. Stalinism" (5 - 8 minutes)

   • Description: Still in groups, students will participate in a simulated debate, defending the "side" of Lenin or Stalin. Each group will receive a statement related to their leader's ideology and policies, and will have to present arguments to support or contest the statement.

   • Step by step:

     1. The teacher presents a series of statements about Leninism and Stalinism, such as "Lenin's policies were more focused on the working class than Stalin's" or "Stalin was more effective in transforming the USSR into an industrial power".
     2. Each group receives a statement and has time to prepare their arguments.
     3. The groups present their arguments, alternating between the "sides" of Lenin and Stalin.
     4. After all the presentations, students have the opportunity to refute or complement the arguments of the other groups.

Feedback (8 - 10 minutes)

1. Group Discussion (3 - 5 minutes): The teacher should conduct a group discussion with all the students. Each group will have up to 3 minutes to share their solutions or conclusions from the activities carried out. During this discussion, the teacher can ask questions to encourage students to explain their answers or to reflect on their thought processes. This is an opportunity for students to hear different perspectives and ideas, and for the teacher to clarify any misunderstandings or misconceptions.

2. Connection with the Theory (2 - 3 minutes): After the discussion, the teacher should summarize the main ideas and concepts discussed, connecting them to the theory presented at the beginning of the class. The teacher can highlight the similarities and differences between the actions and policies of Lenin and Stalin, and how these differences reflected their ideologies and goals for the Russian Revolution. In addition, the teacher can reinforce the importance of the Russian Revolution and the role of Lenin and Stalin in the formation of the Soviet Union and world history.

3. Individual Reflection (2 - 3 minutes): To conclude the class, the teacher should encourage students to reflect individually on what they have learned. The teacher can ask questions such as:

   1. What was the most important concept you learned today?
   2. What questions have not yet been answered?
   3. How do you think the ideas of Lenin and Stalin apply to today's world?

   Students should write down their answers, and the teacher can ask some volunteers to share their reflections with the class. This reflection activity helps students consolidate their learning and identify any areas that they still do not fully understand.

4. Feedback (1 minute): Finally, the teacher should request feedback from the students about the class. This can be done through a quick verbal or written survey. Student feedback is valuable for the teacher to evaluate the effectiveness of the class and make adjustments for future classes.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Content Summary (2 - 3 minutes): The teacher should summarize the main points covered during the class. This includes the contextualization of the Russian Revolution, the analysis of the actions and policies of Lenin and Stalin, and the comparison between Leninism and Stalinism. The teacher can reinforce the importance of understanding these concepts for comprehending the formation of the Soviet Union and world history.

2. Connection of Theory with Practice (1 - 2 minutes): Next, the teacher should explain how the class connected theory, practice, and applications of knowledge. This can be done by highlighting how the practical activities allowed students to explore the ideologies and actions of Lenin and Stalin in a more in-depth and engaging way. The teacher can also point out how understanding these historical events can help to better understand the current world.

3. Supplementary Materials (1 minute): The teacher can suggest additional study materials for students who want to deepen their understanding about the Russian Revolution, Lenin, Stalin, and the Soviet period. This could include books, documentaries, websites, and research articles. Some examples could be "The Russian Revolution: A Short History" by Richard Pipes, "Lenin on the Train" by Catherine Merridale, and the documentary "The Russian Revolution" by the BBC.

4. Relevance of the Subject (1 minute): Finally, the teacher should emphasize the importance of the subject presented for the students' daily lives. They can emphasize how the legacy of the Russian Revolution and the policies of Lenin and Stalin are still felt today, not only in Russia, but around the world. In addition, the teacher can highlight how understanding history and politics can help students become more informed and engaged citizens.