Does your child need an independent study? Would a unit study on Alaska fit your classroom? Are you looking for homeschooling curriculum? Is your family interested in learning more about Alaska?
This Alaska Unit Study Guide is adaptable for students in grade school through high school. The instructor can pick-and-choose assignments suitable for his or her situation. In addition to specific questions and assignments, there are ideas for research, field trips, and journaling. Depending on the situation, students could either work together or individually on the math, economics, and science challenges.
The Student Study Guide was primarily developed by Naomi's sister, Ruth Gaede Rupp. Ruth obtained her Elmentary Education degree from Kenai Peninsula College, extension of the University of Alaska. Her teaching experience includes assistant teaching at Cook Inlet Academy and substitute teaching in Soldotna public schools. Ruth's familiarity with the Alaska educational standards, sensitivity to how children learn, and attention to details contributed to the depth and breadth of the guide.
Naomi holds a degree in English and in Secondary Education from Colorado State University. She has taught at Kenai Peninsula College and Denver Seminary. Her "big picture" perspective, passion for education, and adept use of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (personality assessment) complemented the formation of the guide.
RESEARCH
- Was Alaska a state at the beginning of this book? Research the events that lead up to its statehood.
- Research sod houses: how constructed? why used? insulation factor? other observations. (Ch.2, p. 23)
- Research Ben Eielson and his contributions to aviation history. (Ch.3, p.26)
- Look up regulations on moose hunting. Talk to someone who has tips on how to hunt for moose. (Ch. 12)
ONGOING DISCUSSION
- Notice and discuss writers' techniques used in this book.
- Contrast the difference in Alaska between 1955 and the present day. What are some major changes?
QUESTIONS (specific per chapter)
- MATH: Calculate the number of miles Doc and the baby traveled by plane from Anchorage, to Fairbanks, to Kotzebue. In a DC3 at 150 mph and no wind factor, how long would it take to make the trip?
- ECONOMICS: Doc and Ruby spent $1,000 on staple goods in 1957. Considering inflation, how much would they pay today for that same order?
- JOURNAL: Doc and his family found ways to get to know and appreciate people of a different culture. Describe a time when you were with someone of a different nationality/culture or a group of people whose way of doing things was different than yours. How did you feel? How did you relate to them? How did you show respect for them?
- WRITING: The wind plays a predominant part in this chapter. Highlight all the adjectives and verbs that are used to describe it.
- VOCABULARY:
- prospector (p.90)
- geothermal (p.91)
- bunny boots (p.92)
- tenacious (p.95)
- ART: Choose one of the following artists or one of your own.
- George Ahgupuk
- Barbara Lavalle
- Sydney Laurence
- Diane Tillion
- Marvin Mangus
- Kivetoruk
- Claire Fejes
- James Hamilton
- Jon Van Zyle
- Why are they considered "Alaska Artists"?
- What years did they produce their art? Are they still practicing their art?
- What is their primary subject?
- What mediums do they use? Is their anything unusual about their medium of choice?
- What is their background material? (bleached animal skins, canvas, ?)
- Describe the mental processing that goes behind their work while they are creating.
- Where is their art displayed?
- On what part of Alaska does their art focus?
- Have they illustrated any books?
- What appeals to you about their work? (medium, style, subject, other)
- SCIENCE: How does ice on aircraft affect its flight? Here are some hands-on, practical, Alaskan-specific resource books:
- Skills, Tools, & Craftsmanship by Alan Dick, published by Alaska Native Knowledge Network. (Cutting and drying fish, chain clutch and chains, etc.)
- Alaska: How to.... (Make snowshoes, fishnet, dogsled, basket weaving.)
"Terrific for homeschoolers! The questions were a good mix of why, how, where, and what; along with those that required the students to respond with their own feelings and opinions. The format was easy to use with an ideal structure for lessons. The guide was weighty enough to make it an Alaska unit study, without being too overwhelming or cumbersome. My children were always enthusiastic about reading and talking about the story, and the assignments were a natural fit for my 5th and 8th graders. My 1st grader was interested, but couldn't always keep up with the details. I think grades 3-12 is a perfect target."
