Author: Peter Pappas

ALST600 Alaska Studies was not a typical history course – no lectures, timelines or tests. Your instructor was far from an expert on the subject.

We took a different approach – you were asked to be the historian in the room. The only textbook, the one you were asked to write.

You just experienced project-based learning.
What did the teacher in you learn?

Please use the category PBL for this post

Image credit: Mendenhall Glacier by Peter Pappas

Today’s class will demonstrate how to embed literacy strategies into your project lesson – we will focus on 3 key strategies used across the curriculum – defining, summarizing and comparing. Click here Literacy strategies handout 2MB pdf

1. 1
2. 2
3. 3

Due Friday June 24

Each design group should produce a rough draft of their intro in a shared Google Slide presentation. Each slide can roughly mimic a page of the iBook. Don’t worry about the layout and design. Instead focus on what text and images would be on each page. Google slides also allows you to quickly rearrange or insert / delete pages.

One student can create the initial Google slide presentation, then give permission to other group members as well as Angie and Peter to edit.

For more on using Google slides see this YouTube channel. Working with Google Slides

Regional introductions:

Design groups should collaborate on a chapter introduction that provides readers with background on the natural environment, built environment (surroundings created by and for humans) and culture of the indigenous people of the region. The bottom line: your intro needs to introduce the reader to how the indigenous people of the region found a way to thrive in that area.

The introduction could include maps, timeline, artifact photographs (including historical), graphs, videos, audio files, or other items that build background for the reader.

Essential understandings could include:

1. Identify and describe categories of characteristics that define a location as a place (e.g., weather characteristics, population density, flora / fauna, landforms).
2. Identify and describe the characteristics of the region’s physical environment that attracted people – and both limited and enabled them to thrive and prosper (e.g., climate, water, soil, landforms).
3. Describe the indigenous technologies that emerged in the region – clothing, housing, trans­portation, etc – and how they are a product of the natural environment. It could include examples of human modifications to the physical environment
4. Identify and describe the interaction of the geography, technology and the culture(s) of the people(s) of the region.
5. Describe historical highlights that are significant to understanding of the region and the interaction of indigenous and non-native peoples.

Image credit: McGuffey’s Reader illustration n.d.
Miami University Library: nn-1351

Time to give some initial form to your idea for a lesson. It should be a short “elevator pitch” with just enough information so that others can get a sense of what you’re working on. Please do this as a blog post due by Sat night 6/18. (Use the categories “student posts” and “idea”)

Students should plan to read their design groups ideas in prep for Monday’s class.

See if you can answer all five questions

1. Intended audience? Alaska region – grade, course, etc
2. About how much class time to do this lesson?
3. What’s the essential question? (is there one?)
4. What source material would students use (include a link or example).
5. A brief explanation of “what are the kids going to do?”

Be honest in your appraisal – if you’re stuck, others might be able to help you.

Image source: I have an idea @ home by Julian Santacruz