Social Studies Curriculum

Intro to
Geography
and
Alaska

National
Standards for
Geography:
Standards #1 - #18
(See National
Standards
Document)

Alaska State
Geography
Content
Standards
Addressed:
Standards A-F
(See Alaska State
Geography
Standards
Document)

1. The five themes of geography allow us to explore patterns in location, place, human environment interaction, movement, and regions. (This EU is to be reinforced in EVERY unit.)
   • How does geography allow us to explore patterns in Alaska’s regions and Alaska’s cultures?
   • How do physical conditions, movement, population, culture, and interaction patterns influence Alaskans?
   • How can we evaluate the impact of global change on Alaskans?
   • How are ancient traditions and ways of life reflected in the lives of indigenous Alaskan populations?
2. Geography has a range of helpful tools that can assist us in understanding our earth and its patterns. (This EU is to be reinforced in EVERY unit.)
   • How can we use the tools of geography to help us understand the earth and its patterns?
   • Why do we use the tools of geography?
   • Why are there so many different types of maps, globes, scales, and other forms of geography tools?
   • What are latitude and longitude and how are they determined and used?
   • How are latitude and regional climate, vegetation, and land use interrelated?
3. Because of its geographic separation and natural resources, Alaska has a unique identity and role within the United States and the world.
   • How does geographic separation affect Alaska?
   • How is Alaska unique in the United States and the world?

North America
• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Central
America
• Caribbean

1. The five themes of geography allow us to explore patterns in location, place, human environment interaction, movement, and regions.
2. Geography has a range of helpful tools that can assist us in understanding our earth and its patterns.
3. North America is rich in cultural diversity, a feature that both benefits and challenges its people.
   • How are the cultures of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean diverse?
   • How has cultural diversity benefited and challenged the people of North America?
4. North America has widely contrasting natural resources, economies, and political systems.
   • How have the natural resources on the economies of the US and Canada made them developed Nations?
   • How are trade agreements, such as NAFTA, affecting North America’s economies and politics?