Given the global significance of Soviet-U.S. relations, elementary and secondary school students should learn about the Soviet Union, but most students graduate from high school with little knowledge and many misconceptions about this country. It is important to teach about the Soviet Union because of: (1) its emphasis in the U.S. media; (2) its size and cultural diversity; (3) its abundance of natural resources; and (4) its cultural contributions to life in the United States. In elementary school classes, teachers might compare and contrast U.S. regions and communities with those in the Soviet Union. A more focused examination can be achieved on the middle school level through the study of Soviet history, geography, and current events. High school world history classes should stress the teaching of Russian and Soviet history. Teaching strategies should include using an historical approach, teaching about the country's geography, comparing governmental and economic systems, stressing the cultural and ethnic diversity within the country, introducing primary sources, avoiding superficial conclusions, and presenting a balanced picture of the Soviet Union. (JHP)