Leo Tolstoy

Summary
This is an introductory lesson about Leo Tolstoy and his works.

Objectives
• to list some of Tolstoy?s works;

• to describe and discuss some aspects of Tolstoy?s life;

• to identify and describe some of Tolstoy?s writings.

Suggested Grades
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade

Excerpt
Leo Tolstoy was a Russian intellectual and novelist who is considered one of the greatest writers of all time. He was born in 1828 in the Tula region of Russia. Tula, one of the oldest cities in Russia, is located about 200 kilometers south of Moscow. The Tolstoy family was a member of the aristocracy, and they moved to Moscow to allow their children to attend school. While in school, Tolstoy studied languages. His parents died when he was young, and in 1851, Tolstoy joined the Russian Army.

During this time, Tolstoy began writing. He wrote several novels including Childhood, Boyhood, and Youth, which were mostly autobiographical. In 1855, he left the army, deeply saddened by the loss of two of his brothers to tuberculosis. Tuberculosis was a common disease at that time. It was called consumption because it damaged the lungs. Tolstoy was uncertain what to do with his life during this period, and he spent some time founding thirteen schools for underprivileged children. Unfortunately, he also spent time gambling and accruing debt.

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