"Conversations about important things" on February 16 — topic and program of the lesson

On Monday, February 16, another lesson from the series "Conversations about important things" will take place in Russian schools and colleges. It will be held on the eve of Defender of the Fatherland Day and will be dedicated to the heroes of the past and present who live next to us. Izvestia tells us how the lesson will go in different classes.

"Talking about important things" on February 16 — the topic of the lesson

The topic of the next lesson is related to the upcoming Defender of the Fatherland Day, which is traditionally celebrated on February 23. However, in 2026, the focus is not only on military service, but also on personal responsibility, civic courage and examples of heroic deeds in everyday life. The title "The Hero from the next yard" emphasizes that we are talking about people who live next to us and whose actions become an example for others.

Schoolchildren are invited to consider who can be considered a hero today, what qualities unite defenders of the Motherland and people of peaceful professions. Special attention is paid to examples from different regions of the country. We are talking about military personnel, rescuers, medics, volunteers and ordinary citizens who showed courage and responsibility in a difficult situation.

The context of the lesson is based on the historical tradition of honoring the defenders of the Fatherland. At the same time, the lesson is aimed at forming the children's idea that heroism is not only a feat on the battlefield, but also a willingness to help, duty and respect for their country.

In all classes, the lesson will be structured according to the regional component and the age of the students. Methodological materials and recommendations can be found on the project's website.

"Conversations about important things" February 16 — lesson program

In elementary school, from 1st to 4th grade, the conversation is built in the form of a dialogue about who the hero is and what qualities he should possess. Children are shown short videos with examples of kind and brave deeds, and are invited to discuss how they can help classmates or neighbors. Teachers use game elements and creative tasks so that children can express their understanding of the topic through drawings and short stories.

In grades 5-7, the discussion becomes more substantive. Students learn about specific stories of people who have shown courage in civilian life or military service. Watching thematic videos is accompanied by discussion questions. Students reflect on the difference between a high-profile feat and daily responsibility, perform interactive tasks related to the analysis of life situations.

For students in grades 8-9, the emphasis is on citizenship and personal responsibility. Teenagers look at real examples of modern heroes from different regions of Russia, discuss the importance of serving society and the state. During the lesson, discussions are possible about how respect for defenders of the Fatherland is formed and what role public initiatives and volunteerism play.

In high school and college, the conversation reaches the level of understanding the concept of duty and choosing a life path. Students are asked to analyze the biographies of military personnel, emergency services personnel, and public figures. Video materials and analytical questions are used.

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The discussion touches on the topic of professional self-determination and willingness to take responsibility. At the end of the lesson, it is summed up that heroism manifests itself not only in exceptional circumstances, but also in everyday life through honesty, hard work and willingness to protect loved ones and the country.

As a result of the lesson, students of different ages will be able to better understand what it means to be a defender of the Fatherland today and what personal qualities help a person become an example to others.

"Conversations about important things" on February 16 — about the project

"Conversations about important things" is a series of extracurricular activities dedicated to the history, culture and geography of Russia, as well as topical topics from the daily lives of schoolchildren. The project was launched by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation in 2022. Its goal is to form a civic identity, respect for the country's traditions and a conscious attitude to modern events.

The previous lesson took place on February 9, 2026 and was devoted to the topic "Who are diplomats". The students discussed the role of the diplomatic service, the importance of negotiations and international cooperation, and also got acquainted with the history of Russian diplomacy.

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