The
Iditarod
An
Alaskan Adventure
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An
Interdisciplinary
Unit for Grades 8 and 9
Lesson
Title: "West Virginia and Alaska - A Comparison"
Subject(s):
Social Studies and Computer Literacy
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Grade Level
8th and 9th
Subject
Social Studies
and Computer Literacy
Learner Outcomes:
The students
will:
1. Search
the Internet, use electronic encyclopedias, email and message boards to
compare the differences and likenesses of West Virginia (or their home
state) and Alaska.
Time Frame:
One to two 45-minute
class periods
Materials:
1. Comparison of Alaska and
West Virginia (substitute any state) questionnaire (see attachments)
2. Encarta Encyclopedia on
CD
3. Computers with Internet
Access
4. Email addresses of students
and schools willing to exchange information about the Alaska.
Technology Tools/Courseware:
1.
Computers with Internet access
2. Encarta
Encyclopedia on CD-ROM (Other electronic encyclopedia)
3. Student
email access (optional)
Teacher Notes:
The introduction
of this unit will take place in Language Arts classes as study begins with
the novel "The Call of the Wild." This Social Studies lesson should
be completed before the start of the Iditarod race and after the unit has
been introduced. A sample study guide for the State Comparisons is
attached to this lesson. Students will need access to computers and may
work individually or in pairs. Students will compare their results in small
group discussions in a regular classroom setting.
Procedures:
1. Students
will begin the unit "The Iditarod - An Alaskan Adventure" in Language Arts.
(See "The Call of the Wild" Lesson)
2. Students
will use an Internet student Message Board to discuss the comparisons of
Alaska and West Virginia.
3. Students
will visit the Everything
Alaska site to research informational facts about the state of Alaska.
4. Students
will use their West Virginia Studies book or the Encarta Encyclopedia CD-ROM
to research informational facts about the state of West Virginia.
5. Students
will meet in small groups to discuss messages and emails received from
students outside the School. Groups will select email message to submit
that may be posted to the School Web
page. Teachers will review messages and send informational emails to the
school web master for posting.
Modifications:
Teachers should
determine the need for student assistance based on Inclusion and request
a special education teacher and/or aide be present during lesson activities.
Enrichment
Activities:
Students should
use the Internet to research the beginning statehood of Alaska and West
Virginia. Examples of statehood facts may include: date of statehood, interesting
events that led to statehood or information about the territory before
becoming a state.
Evaluation/Assessment:
1. State
comparison worksheet will be evaluated.
2. Selected
email messages and Message Board postings will be shared in class discussions
and posted on the School Web Page.
IGOs and
Other Standards:
West Virginia
IGOs:
Technology:
8.98, 8.70
Social Studies:
8.33, 8.61, 9.27
Language Arts:
8.18
National
Standards
References:
Suggested Sites:
1. Student
Message Boards - http://www.InsideTheWeb.com/mbs.cgi/mb332672
2. Everything
Alaska - http://www.everythingalaska.com/eta.akstat.html
3. West
Virginia - The History of an American State - Vicky Woods (author) Clairmont
Press, Montgomery Alabama, Copyright 1998.
Comments:
Please direct
questions concerning this lesson to the Blennerhassett Junior High School
email contacts listed in the "Created by" section.
Created By:
Blennerhassett
Junior High School
Jo
Miller
Eric
Minigh
Beth
Morgan
We will update
our school's progress through this unit on our school web page found at
http://www.netassoc.net/wcboe/Schsec.htm
-- Go to the Blennerhassett link.
Date Created:
February 15,
1999
Attachments
West
Virginia and Alaska – A Comparison
(This
lesson can be modified to compare Alaska to any state)
1.
Name the capital of Alaska.
2.
Name the capital of West Virginia
3.
In what year did the United States purchase Alaska?
4.
In what year did West Virginia become a state?
5. What
is the Golden Harness award?
6. What
is the Golden Horseshoe award?
7. What
is the highest elevation (in feet) in Alaska? Name the highest elevation.
8. What
is the highest elevation (in feet) in West Virginia? Name the highest elevation.
9.
What is Alaska’s state flower?
10.
What is West Virginia’s state flower?
11.
What is Alaska’s state tree?
12.
What is West Virginia’s state tree?
13.
What is Alaska’s state gem?
14.
What is West Virginia’s state gem?
15.
What is Alaska’s state mineral?
16.
What is West Virginia’s state mineral?
17.
What is Alaska’s state song?
18.
What is West Virginia’s state song?
19.What
is Alaska’s state motto?
20.
What is West Virginia’s state motto?
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