TIT;E:  A STUDY OF ALASKA

AUTHOR:  Rosie Tenge; Anchorage School Dist.,
         Anchorage, AK

GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT:  2 - 12; Geography, history, reading

OVERVIEW:  Many students are not interested in, nor do they
see any relevance or importance in the study of Alaska.
They see Alaska as their home "for the time being."  They
also make the assumption that because they live here, they
already know everything about Alaska.

PURPOSE:  The purpose of this unit is to teach students
about the state of Alaska.  Activities used in the unit will
encourage reading, and writing-related-to-reading.  The unit
materials will encourage interest in Alaska's history and
Alaska's geography (as one of our newest states).
Designated activities will teach or review "how to
research."  Many "hands on opportunities" to observe or
participate in will be provided.  The unit should be taught
in early February preceding Fur Rondy (state-wide, week-
long, Alaskan celebration) and the world-famous Iditarod
Race held in late February or early March (lasts 11 days -
one month).  The activities of the unit should be geared
toward stimulating interest in both of these historic
events.

OBJECTIVES:  As a result of this unit, students will be able
to:
  1.  locate Alaska on a globe and wall map;
  2.  locate 2 main rivers on an Alaskan map;
  3.  locate 20 significant places on an Alaskan map;
  4.  locate 4 Alaskan island;
  5.  learn 15 new Alaskan vocabulary words (ex.
      musher's vocabulary);
  6.  locate on a map (Alaskan) where the 3 main native
      groups live;
  7.  learn 5 Alaskan "facts" (state bird, state song
      title, state flower, etc.)

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:
  1.  globe, and wall map of Alaska
  2.  speakers (dog musher, framer of the Alaska
      constitution, pipeline employee, trapper, etc.)
  3.  Iditarod Trail map (large and current)
  4.  samples of Alaskan native food (optional)
  5.  Fur Rondy brochures (list all of activities for
      nine days)
  6.  Alaska magazines
  7.  Alaska Almanac
  8.  Daily newspapers
  9.  Alaska souvenirs

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
1.   At the beginning of the unit, have the class
     "brainstorm" a list of words (on the blackboard) that
     come to mind when they think of Alaska.  (get from 40-
     60 words, keep a copy of the list)
2.   Following the brainstorming activity, give students
     from 20-30 minutes to write a creative story about
     Alaska using all (or 99%) of the words on the
     "blackboard list."  Remind students to be creative.
3.   Have students illustrate their story.
4.   "Share" the Alaskan stories orally in class on
     another day.
5.   Give a pre-test that would include a blank map ("put on
     all the places that you know or have been to");
     vocabulary list ("define all the words that you
     recognize"); list of important Alaskan people
     ("identify those you know something about"); section
     that tests for other historical information.  Give the
     same test at the end of the unit.  (Tell students when
     they take the pre-test, "you will see this information
     again.")
6.   Students can write  a Geo-Poem as part of the unit.
7.   Have students bring in Alaskan items to share (students
     must know the history and explain it to the class).
8.   Have students bring in a favorite Alaskan recipe with
     samples to taste, if possible, otherwise just make
     copies of the recipes for the class members.
9.   Students can follow the Iditarod Race (keep daily
     journals using the newspaper).
10.  Sing together the Fur Rondy theme song and the Iditarod
     theme song.
11.  Teacher should publish a small book of their Alaskan
     stories, Geo-Poems, and recipes for each student to
     keep as a souvenir.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:
1.  Give the post-test
2.  Hand out small book of published students' writings
    (a surprise for them)
3.  Briefly discuss (as a class) how much you know now
    about Alaska as opposed to what you thought you
    already knew.