Geography
• Identify the four main Indian regions and compare the geographical and cultural characteristics that influenced them (e.g., Pueblo, Eastern Woodland).
• Map the theory of how the first Natives got to North or South America.
• Construct Alaska population maps and relate them to representation in state government.
• Determine the climatic factors that influenced travel during westward expansion (e.g., Oregon Trail).
• Examine how various land and water forms affected westward expansion (e.g., Rocky Mountains, Mississippi River).
• Explain how and why different regional environments affect the way of life of people (e.g., Southern vs. Northern colonies).
• Consider how water availability affected population growth (e.g., river, ocean).
• Choose a physical system and determine all the factors that affect humans (e.g., Mississippi River, Rocky Mountains).
• Suggest reasons for the distribution of people on Earth (e.g., a few people live where it is very dry or cold) by comparing maps of population distribution with maps that show climate, precipitation, length of growing season, natural resources, and other physical features.
Government
• Participate in a school or community service project.
• Explore how decisions are made in the Alaska State Legislature.
• Follow the process of making a law.
• Diagram the three branches of government.
• Follow a local or state current event. Find articles and letters to the editor, and follow the issue to resolution.
• Hold mock or real elections.
• Examine a current event in Alaska and determine how it is influenced by and influences other states or the nation (e.g., ANWR, aerial wolf hunting).
• Determine the revenue sources for the State of Alaska and how those moneys affect individual and borough economics (e.g., past: boycotting of tea, Shay’s rebellion; present: oil revenue and taxation).
• Analyze and discuss both sides of issues/events (e.g., the French and Indian War, England’s late 1700’s trade laws’ effect on the colonies, Triangular Trade Route).
• Compare and contrast how colonists provided for their needs in comparison to people today.
• Use weekly news magazine/newspapers, current events, and Internet.
History
• Use a timeline to explore a specific period of exploration.
• Place significant events in the proper time frame (e.g., Declaration of Independence, Revolutionary War).
• Select a specific position and defend/debate your point of view (e.g., Patriots vs. Loyalists).
• Describe key turning points from a historical stand point (e.g., the downfall of the Aztec nation, English rule in America).
• Determine the factors that cause a need for change in society (e.g., Bill of Rights, immigration, technology).
• Evaluate the effects of different groups as they interacted (e.g., European claims and the effects on Native Americans).
• Choose a contemporary issue and relate it to a similar event in history (e.g., acquisition of new lands, taxation, recreation, technology).
• Choose an issue, event, or person in history and incorporate other disciplines into your presentations (e.g., research project, poster, diagrams). |