Alaska Studies
Daily Log of Class Activity and Assignments
Fall 2009
Wednesday, 8/19/2009:
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Handout and discuss class information.
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What are our class demographics? Survey the class with the questions and discuss what it says about Alaska's population.
- How long have you lived in Alaska?
- Are you associated with the military?
- Do you consider Alaska home?
- Do you expect to make your life here?
- How would you classify your ethnicity or race?
What general conclusions can be made from these data?
Thursday, 8/20/2009:
- Go over the aggregated data gathered yesterday. Conclusions coming from the data include -
- We have a transient population.
- We have a lot of students who are connected with the military.
- We have a lot of young people who want to leave the state.
- Most students surveyed identify as being caucasian.
- What implications do these demographic realities have for public policy in Alaska?
- What is an Alaskan? In pairs or triads and on a poster -
- Draw an Alaskan.
- On the back write down
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- three characteristics of an Alaskan
- two or three silly things you've heard about Alaska
Friday, 8/21/2009:
- Share your drawing of an Alaskan with the whole class.
- Discuss the concept of stereotype: how they develop and their shortcomings.
- Work with the person or persons with whom you drew the Alaskan and examine data and information from our classes and the Anchorage School District:
- As you examine and compare the data, look for patterns and trends. List on a piece of paper the patterns, and trends you discover. Each one should be stated in a complete sentence.
Monday, 8/24/2009:
- What do you need to know about Alaska's population?
- Alaska's population is approximately 680,000.
- Approximately 70% of Alaskans identify themselves as caucasian.
- Anchorage's population is approximately 270,000.
- Approximately 70% of Anchorage residents identify themselves as caucasian.
- The Municipality of Anchorage contains around 40% of the total state population.
- Approximately 70% of Anchorage residents identify themselves as caucasian.
- Approximately 70% of students in each of the following identify themselves as caucasian.
- Alaska Studies classes at Eagle River High School
- Eagle River High School, Chugiak High School, South High School
- In the 2008-2009 school year, 49% of ASD students identified themselves as caucasian. In 1998, 66% of ASD students identified themselves as caucasian.
- What might be the effects of this trend?
- Read in Our Alaska the following stories:
- "A Son of Martha"
- "The Hutlaanee Code"
- "The Color of Opportunity"
- "My Alaska Heritage"
- As you read, take notes that allow you to participate in a discussion and a writing assignment about the Alaskan in each story.
Tuesday, 8/25/2009:
Complete the reading assignment from yesterday. Keep your notes and bring them to class, tomorrow.
Wednesday, 8/26/2009:
- Complete the Our Alaska reading assignment. Keep your notes for the present. Bring them to class tomorrow. You will use them then.
- Use the maps in the room to label the blank Alaska map I've given you. Label it with the places listed on the handout. Use this as a guide for study. Next week you will have a test to see how well you are able to locate properly these places. During the semester, you will have 3 or 4 map quizes on these locations. Also, you will be asked to locate some of these places on the comprehensive final.
Thursday, 8/27/2009:
- Demonstrate how to access grades and the daily log online.
- Write an essay describing and defining what it means to be an Alaskan. In your writing and to substantiate your conclusions, please reference the statistical data you've examined and the lives of the people you've read about. The basic prompt is -"Who is an Alaskan?"
- Turn in the writing and the notes on the readings.
- Write between 300 and 500 words.
- Turn in no later than Monday, 8/31.
- Complete the map location study guide begun yesterday.
Friday,8/28/2009:
- We are on activity schedule for the Homecoming Assembly at the end of the day.
- Due Monday, 8/31: Write an essay describing and defining what it means to be an Alaskan. In your writing and to substantiate your conclusions, please reference the statistical data you've examined and the lives of the people you've read about. The basic prompt is -"Who is an Alaskan?"
- Turn in the writing and the notes on the readings.
- Write between 300 and 500 words.
- On Thursday, September 10th, you will have the first map quiz.
- Go over the map locations to make sure you have located nthe features accurately.
- Why do we have such extremes of light and dark in the North? Demonstrate the factors which answer this question. Terms to know are -
- fall and spring equinox
- summer and winter solstice
- earth is tilted 23 1/2 degrees relative to the sun
Monday,8/31/2009:
- Turn in the essay "Who is an Alaskan?" Staple it to your notes on the four stories in Our Alaska.
- In the video series, Ecosystems of the Great Land, view the introduction. Over the next few days we will see segments on the tundra, tiaga, coastal forest, and oceans of Alaska.
- In the video series, Ecosystems of the Great Land, view the segment called Tundra.
- What is arctic tundra?
- What is alpine tundra?
- Where does tundra and alpine tundra exist in Alaska?
- What plants and animals live in both kinds of tundra?
- Which Native groups are tundra-dwellers?
Tuesday, 9/1/2009:
- Continue the video series, Ecosystems of the Great Land, view the segment called, Tiaga.
- What is tiaga?
- Where does it exist in Alaska?
- What plants and animals live in the tiaga?
- Which Native groups are tiaga-dwellers?
- View the segment called, Coastal Forest.
- What is the coastal forest?
- Where does it exist in Alaska?
- What plants and animals live in the coastal forest?
- Which Native groups live in the coastal forest?
Wednesday, 9/2/2009:
- Review the main points from the past two days.
- Label new maps with ecosystems, regions, and major Native groups.
- Continue the video series, Ecosystems of the Great Land, view, with the segment called, Oceans .
- What is the ocean ecosystem?
- Where does it exist in Alaska?
- What plants and animals live in it?
- Which Native groups live thereabouts?
- Indicate the oceans ecosystem on a map that I provide you.
Thursday, 9/3/2009:
- Illustrate some of the kinds of questions that will be on the ecosystem test. You will have that test in a week or so.
- Video: Man vs. Wild: The Alaska Mountain Range - a summary of everything important to know about the region...well, almost!
- Identify the ecosystems through which he travels.
- Where do you think this is happening?
Friday, 9/4/2009:
- Discuss whether or not the President of the United States should be allowed to speak to public school students in the United States of America. Please see School can air Obama speech to students. Also of interest, is What President Obama Can Teach America's Kids by Bill O'Reilly.
- Examine the effects of glaciation on Alaska's landscape. Terms to know include -
- glaciation
- continental ice sheet
- ice field
- nunatak
- 'U' shaped valley
- 'V' shaped valley
- fjord
- moraine
- receding glacier
- advancing glacier
Tuesday, 9/8/2009:
- Remember the first map quiz will be Thursday, 9/10.
- You will have your first test on Alaska's regions, ecosystems, Native groups, glaciation, and vulcanism on Tuesday, 9/15.
- Conclude the effects of glaciation on Alaska's landscape. Terms to know are those listed yesterday.
- View Crown of the Continent: Wrangel-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Notice the effects of glaciation.
Wednesday, 9/9/2009:
From the series Deadliest Catch, view The Last Lap. Look at the weather and climate of the Aleutian Region. Examine one business that thrives there
Thursday, 1/10/2009:
- The first map quiz will be tomorrow, Friday, 9/11.
- You will have your first test on Alaska's regions, ecosystems, Native groups, glaciation, and volcanoes on Tuesday, 9/15.
- Review your observations from yesterday's video, Deadliest Catch: The Last Lap. Describe the ecosystem, climate, weather, and the business of commercial crabbing.
- Look at volcanoes in Alaska.
- Photos of Southcentral volcanoes:
- Term to know:
- Ring of Fire
- subduction
- tectonic plates
- Be able to name the following volcanoes:
- Mt. Redoubt
- Mt. Spurr
- Mt. St. Augustine
Friday, 9/11/2009:
- On Monday, 9/14, I will provide you with a progress report either online or in hard-copy.
- Map Quiz #1.
- 911 Rememberance:
- Where were you?
- What were you doing?
- How have those events affected your life?
Monday, 9/14/2009:
- This evening, grades-to-date will be posted online in the same manner as last year. I will use this technique with weekly uploads, usually at week's end, to provide you with your grades. Emails will not be sent out as there are few emails addresses available in this application. Please check weekly and stay informed. I will continue to do this until the Zangle interface is up and working.
- Remember you will have your first test on Alaska's regions, ecosystems, Native groups, glaciation, and volcanoes on Tuesday, 9/15.
- Examine a map indicating the placement of the Bering Sea Land Bridge. Explain the theory of human habitation in the Americas.
- View a short video segment: The Mists of Time.
- You need to know the significance of the terms and concepts below:
- Bering Sea Land Bridge
- 20,000 years ago
- Basic themes among Native Alaska people:
- They lived within the ecosystem and in close association with the natural world.
- Their world was inhabited by spirits and everything had a spirit: pantheism.
- They did not see themselves as being above nature.
- There was a great emphasis on sharing and cooperation.
- Cooperation in work and sharing of resources in practice helped them to survive.
Wednesday, 9/15/2009:
- Grades-to-date are now posted online in the same manner as last year. I will use this technique with weekly uploads, usually at week's end, to provide you with your grades. Emails will not be sent out as there are few emails addresses available in this old application. Please check weekly and stay informed. I will continue to do this until the Zangle interface is up and working.
- Quiz on Alaska's regions, ecosystems, Native groups, glaciation, seasons, and volcanoes.
Wednesday, 9/16/2009:
- Grades-to-date are now posted online in the same manner as last year. I will use this technique with weekly uploads, usually at week's end, to provide you with your grades. Emails will not be sent out as there are few emails addresses available in this old application. Please check weekly and stay informed. I will continue to do this until the Zangle interface is up and working.
- You need to know the significance of the terms and concepts below:
- Bering Sea Land Bridge
- 20,000 years ago
- Basic themes among Native Alaska people:
- They lived within the ecosystem and in close association with the natural world.
- Their world was inhabited by spirits and everything had a spirit: pantheism.
- They did not see themselves as being above nature.
- There was a great emphasis on sharing and cooperation.
- Cooperation in work and sharing of resources in practice helped them to survive.
- Begin the documentary film, Nanook of the North. This is a silent classic made before 1920. It depicts the life of the Inupiat people who lived around Canada's Hudson Bay. While the film is not about the Native people of Alaska, it will give you insight into the life of North America's far north people. With some exceptions, Alaska's far north Inupiat lived a similar life. While you view the film, you are to fill-in a chart having the following categories:
Nanook of the North
food - clothing - tools - shelter - transportation - environment - relations with others
3. As you view the film, write your observations under the appropriate category. In other words, what kind of clothing do you see being worn? Describe it? Do men and women wear different garments? Be descriptive and detailed in the notes you write on the chart.
4. When you have seen the film, you will have a writing assignment that will have you describe in detail the life of these people. You will turn in both the notes and the writing assignment. The more detail you have in your notes, the more material you will have available for the writing assignment.
Thursday, 9/17/2009:
- September 17, 1787 is Constitution Day.
- Grades-to-date are now posted online in the same manner as last year. I will use this technique with weekly uploads, usually at week's end, to provide you with your grades. Emails will not be sent out as there are few emails addresses available in this old application. Please check weekly and stay informed. I will continue to do this until the Zangle interface is up and working.
- Continue Nanook of the North. The people of the North are called Inupiat and Eskimo. What do these names means?
Friday, 9/18/2009:
- Grades-to-date are now posted online in the same manner as last year. I will use this technique with weekly uploads, usually at week's end, to provide you with your grades. Emails will not be sent out as there are few emails addresses available in this old application. Please check weekly and stay informed. I will continue to do this until the Zangle interface is up and working.
- Conclude Nanook of the North. Answer your questions. Discussion.
- Use your charts and the information you gathered to write approximately 300-500 words on the following prompt:
- Describe how Nanook and his family were able to live in the Arctic."
- The writing should contain unique observations, analysis, and explanations of how they lived.
- Turn in the chart with your observations and the writing.
- Please staple them together with the writing over the chart.
- This assignment is due Wednesday, 9/23.
Monday, 9/21/2009:
- Grades-to-date are now posted online in the same manner as last year. I will use this technique with weekly uploads, usually at week's end, to provide you with your grades. Emails will not be sent out as there are few emails addresses available in this old application. Please check weekly and stay informed. I will continue to do this until the Zangle interface is up and working.
- Reminder: The writing assignment on Nanook of the North made Friday is due no-later-than this Wednesday, 9/23.
- View a short video segment: Age of Discovery. Discussion. Comments.
- Notes on the Russian discovery of Alaska. Terms, persons, and concepts to know include -
- Russian America 1741-1867
- Tzar Peter the Great
- Vitus Bering
- terra incognito
- July 16, 1741
- Kayak Island
- cossacks
Tuesday, 9/22/2009
- Below from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is the solstice and equinox schedule for 2009 and 2010.
- Vernal Equinox Mar 20 2009 7:44 AM EDT
- Summer Solstices Jun 21 2009 1:45 AM EDT
- Autumnal Equinox Sep 22 2009 5:18 PM EDT
- Winter Solstice Dec 21 2009 12:47 PM EST
- Vernal Equinox Mar 20 2010 1:32 PM EDT
- Summer Solstice Jun 21 2010 7:28 AM EDT
- Autumnal Equinox Sep 22 2010 11:09 PM EDT
- Winter Solstice Dec 21 2010 6:38 PM EST
- In pairs or alone work on the Russian-America Document Analysis using the documents contained in the Russian American Reader.
Wednesday, 9/23/2009:
- Turn in the Nanook essay. Staple the essay on top of the notes from the video and turn in both.
- Go over extra-credit opportunities for the semester at the Eagle River Nature Center.
- Complete the assignment from yesterday: Russian-America Document Analysis . When you complete the process of analysis, use the analysis to write approximately one-page that describes how Russian colonization affected Alaska.
- Bring this completed assignment to class tomorrow.
Thursday, 9/24/2009:
- Go over the Russian-America Document Analysis using the documents contained in the Russian American Reader. Examine your analysis and conclusions. Turn-in the assignment.
- What conclusions may be drawn from the documents you analyzed? List them.
- How did Russian colonization affect the Native people of Alaska?
- Notes on Russian Colonization. Terms, persons, and concepts to know include -
- Russia's market was mainly in China.
- sea otter
- fur seal
- Gregory Shelikov - Russian-America Company founder
- Alexander Baranov - ran the Russian-America Company and governed Alaska from 1790-1818.
- Russian-America Company - a state-sponsored trading company begun 1799
- Kodiak
- Sitka
- New Arkangel - 1804
- "Paris of the West"
- Fort Ross, California, 1812
- Fort Elizabeth, Kauai, Hawaii, 1816
- From 1741-1781 the Aleut population dropped from 20,000 to 2,000.
- During the Russian Period, the total number of Russians to live in Russian America was probably around 3,000.
- Mr. Kirby Senden is a guide on Mt. McKinley and has climbed it several times: the first time when he was fifteen. Tomorrow, he will be in class to tell us about his adventures.
Friday, 9/25/2009:
- Today, I will upload current grades as I have done for the past few weeks.. You can check them on my website using the password from last year. I have been providing your grades this way because the Zangle Interface has not been working. I understand Zangle is now working, therefore this is the last time I will use this method to post your grades. From next week on grades will be on Zangle, only. A parent or guardian will need to come to the school to pick up the password and other login information. They may pick it up from the counseling office.
- Mr. Senden will not be here, today. We have rescheduled his presentation for next Friday.
- Return graded papers. Go over answers to the quiz. Comments on how you may improve.
- Tell the story of Captain James Cook. Terms, dates, and persons to know include -
- Captain James Cook
- Northwest Passage
- 1776-1779
- Sandwich Islands
- Cook Inlet
- River Turn-again
Monday,9/28/2009:
- Begin viewing Arctic Passage: Prisoners of the Ice.
- You will be divided into five teams. You will take notes according to the following guidelines:
- 1 = diseases, health, physical remains
- 2 = ship related articacts
- 3 = Inuit testimony
- 4 = written notes and journals
- 5 = when the events occurred
Tuesday, 9/29/2009:
- Conclude viewing Arctic Passage: Prisoners of the Ice.
- You are divided into five teams. You will take notes according to the following guidelines:
- 1 = diseases, health, physical remains
- 2 = ship related articacts
- 3 = Inuit testimony
- 4 = written notes and journals
- 5 = when the events occurred
- Report and discuss your notes.
Wednesday, 9/30/2009:
- Consider these questions about the Franklin Expedition. Answer them in complete sentences. Turn in the notes on the documentary and these responses.
- What perspectives and values undermined them?
- If you were planning to traverse the Northwest Passage, what lessons would you take from the Franklin Expedition?
- Can you think of examples in Alaska, today, where we make mistakes similar to those of the Franklin Expedition? Discussion.
- clothing
- homes
- schools
- reliance on technology to insulate us from the climate
Thursday, 10/1/2009:
- What does the Franklin Expedition have to do with Alaska?
- The lessons learned from the mistakes of the expedition tell us that how our preconceived notions can create problems.
- The search for Franklin excited and encouraged exploration of the North including Alaska.
- Roald Amundsen, the first to traverse the passage, had an Alaska connection.
- Comments on Roald Amundsen and the Northwest Passage. Why was he successful where the British were not?
- What would you need to survive in an emergency? In fours follow the directions on the handout, Icy Survival. Staple together your team's papers and turn them in.
- For tomorrow, we will have a guest speaker: Mr. Kirby Senden is a guide on Mt. McKinley and has climbed it several times; the first time when he was fifteen. He will be in class to tell us about his adventures.
Friday,10/2/2009:
- Please check your grades and scores on both Easy Grade Pro, from the link on my website, and Zangle from the ASD site. As Zangle has had problems, I've been posting grades on both. I want to transition to use Zangle only and avoid the double-entry. Please verify the entries are correct.
- Guest speaker: Mr. Kirby Senden is a guide on Mt. McKinley and has climbed it several times; the first time when he was fifteen. He will be in class to tell us about his adventures.
Monday,10/5/2009:
- Please check your grades and scores on both Easy Grade Pro, from the link on my website, and Zangle from the ASD site. As Zangle has had problems, I've been posting grades on both. I want to transition to use Zangle only and avoid the double-entry. Please verify the entries are correct.
- Go to extra-credit opportunities if you are interested in your one opportunity for the semester.
- On Monday, 10/12, you will have -
- A quiz on Russian America - Please know terms related to Russian America and the Captain Cook exploration. It will be mainly a fill-in-the-blank quiz.
- Map Quiz #2 - This is the second quiz over the 54 places.
- Comments or questions about Mr. Senden's presentation.
- Go over the Icy Survival assignment from Friday. How do your conclusions match my conclusions?
- Handout the reading: Russia's Alaska Colony. Read it in class and for tomorrow identify and underline the main points and main persons in the article.
Tuesday, 10/6/2009:
- Please check your grades and scores on both Easy Grade Pro, from the link on my website, and Zangle from the ASD site. As Zangle has had problems, I've been posting grades on both. I want to transition to use Zangle only and avoid the double-entry. Please verify the entries are correct.
- Quizzes on Monday, 10/12:
- Fill-in-the-blank quiz on Russian America - Please know terms related to Russian America and the Captain Cook exploration.
- Map Quiz #2 - This is the second quiz over the 54 places.
- Are there questions on the reading, Russia's Alaska Colony. What is written about Russian influence in the Anchorage and Eagle River areas? The quiz Monday on Russian-America will include this reading and the notes from class.
- Notes on the story of the sale of Alaska. You need to know the terms, dates, and person's listed below:
- Crimean War, 1853-1856
- Czar Alexander II
- Secretary of State William Seward
- manifest destiny
- March 30, 1867
- $7,200,000
- Seward's Folly
- Seward's Icebox
- Icebergia
- Walrussia
- October 18, 1867
- Senate vote: 37-2
- House of Representative vote: 113-48
- What are three reasons why the Russians sold Russian-America?
- What two reasons explain why the United States bought Alaska?
Wednesday, 10/7/2009:
- Look at the Banned-Book Display on the wall outside the library in the vending-machine hallway.
- Create a map placemat like you might find in a restaurant that caters to tourists. The placemat should be colorful, neat, interesting, attractive, and accurate. Use the Alaska Almanac and the maps available in-class. You'll be able to finish it in class, tomorrow. Label on the map the following-
- 10 bodies of water (e.g. oceans, seas, lakes)
- 8 rivers
- 5 mountain ranges
- 10 communities
- 12 interesting facts
Thursday, 10/8/2009
- Work on the placemat assignment from yesterday. You will have class time to finish it, tomorrow.
- Tomorrow, bring notes and materials to study for the quiz on Russian-America and for Map Quiz #2.
Friday, 10/9/2009:
- Map Quiz #2 and the Russian-America Quiz is Monday, 10/12.
- Study tips:
- How do you study for a test?
- Recommendations
- Complete and turn-in the placemat assignment.
Monday, 10/12/2009:
- Remember, you may have only one extra-credit opportunities during the semester.
- Quizzes: Russian-America Quiz and Map Quiz #2.
- For tomorrow, read Parnell Unveils Major Education Initiative. Identify and underline the main points of the initiative.
Tuesday, 10/13/2009:
- See the map of the trails around Eagle River High School.
- Examine Parnell Unveils Major Education Initiative.
- Do you have questions about the governor's proposal?
- In small groups of four:
- Identify and in complete sentences list the potential positive and negative aspects of this proposal.
- Do you have concerns about the proposed legislation? In complete sentences, list your concerns.
- Return to the whole class. Read aloud the positive and negative aspects of the proposal.
- Tomorrow, we will deal with your questions and concerns and act as a legislature to write a law addressing these issues. We will communicate our concerns to our local legislators.
Wednesday, 10/14/2009:
- Sit with the group you were with yesterday. I'll return the papers you gaveto me yesterday.
- Question and answer session and whole-class discussion: Ask me the questions you have about the proposal and I'll tell you what I know about the issue or potential issue involved.
- You have read the Governor's proposal, the editorial in the Anchorage Daily News, and e-comments made by people on the website of the Anchorage Daily News. Your task is to improve the Governor's proposal or write your own. Consider the following questions as you discuss your proposal:
- What incentives does the proposal contain?
- What are the intended consequences of the program?
- What would be the unintended consequences?
- Is it fair?
- Is it worth the cost?
- How much does it cost?
- How will it be paid for?
- Is it good for the state as a whole?
- For your proposal, complete the following:
- In a complete sentence, list each element of your proposal.
- In a complete sentence, justify each element of your proposal.
Thursday, 10/15/2009:
- Work in your group to complete your proposal.
- Write a title.
- Write summary that justifies the proposal.
- Write each element of the plan and the corresponding reason for it.
- Identify someone in your group who will type it.
- Bring the completed, typed proposal to class on Monday, 10/19.
- See the format and examples below:
- A Title:
- Post-Secondary Education Opportunity for Alaska's Students
- A Paragraph of Summary/Justification:
- This proposal seek to provide capable Alaskan students with the opportunity to...
- This is important focus to do as it will benefit the State in the following ways...
- The Elements of the Proposal:
- The state will pay for four-years of tuition at the University of Alaska for qualified applicants.
- This will encourage Alaskan students to take quality college-preparatory classes during their K-12 schooling.
- I will be sending your proposals to Senator Fred Dyson and Representative Anna Fairclough. Also, I will invite them to class to talk with you about your proposals and other State issues.
- Tomorrow, I will enter your 1st Quarter grades on Zangle and in Easy Grade Pro. Please verify both gradebooks are correct. After parent conferences, I will stop using Easy Grade Pro and use only Zangle.
Monday, 10/19/2009:
- Turn in your proposals. Discussion.
- Is UAA a joke? Anybody can get in? What's the joke? Anybody can get into ERHS, does that make it a joke?
- Return graded papers. Go over the Russian-America Quiz.
- Using the reader, Gold Rush Documents , examine the "Timeline of the Alaskan Gold Rush." Highlight gold discoveries in Alaska, including those in Juneau, Nome, and Fairbanks, and the Klondike Gold Rush in Yukon.
- Tell the story of the Klondike gold strike. Here are the terms, persons, concepts, and dates to identify -
- Significant Gold Discoveries:
- 1880 - Joe Juneau and Richard Harris found gold at Gold Creek near modern Juneau.
- 1896 - Klondike Gold Discovery, George Washington Carmacks, Tagish Charlie, Skookum Jim
- 1899 - gold mining begin on the beach at Nome
- 1902 - Felix Pedro finds gold on Pedro Creek leading to the establishment of Fairbanks
- 1893 - a deep economic depression in the United States
- 1896 - discovery, Bonanza Creek (Rabbit Creek)
- placer mining
- 1897 - word got out
- 1898 - the stampede to Dawson City
- stampeders
- Klondike
- Skagway
- the poor man's route
- Chilkoot Trail
- Golden Staircase
- 2,000 pounds =1 ton = 40 trips up the Golden Staircase at 50 pounds per trip
- 40,000 gold seekers 1897-1898
Tuesday, 10/20/2009:
- Discuss the announcement from the federal justice department that the federal government will not prosecute medical marijuana users who are in compliance with the laws of their state: Alaskans can toke up for medical reasons. Discuss issues of federalism and from Alaska's Constitution, the right to privacy.
- Remember that many of the terms, dates, persons and facts to know are in the daily log.
- Look at pictures of the Chilkoot Pass Route to Dawson City.
- Define for your notes the following terms and concepts as they apply to Alaska.
- colony
- boom and bust
- natural resources: renewable, non-renewable
Wednesday, 10/21/2009:
- Review the following terms and concepts as they apply to Alaska.
- colony - Read aloud from the Alaska Herald on page 2 of the Alaska as an American Colony Reader. Elaborate on the strong anti-colonialism expressed under the paragraph entitled, "Deplorable Condition of Alaska."
- boom and bust - Refer to the examples on the timeline at the top of the handout, Nome: A City of Boom and Bust.
- natural resources: renewable, non-renewable - Relate past and present examples.
- In, Alaska as an American Colony Reader, read "Nome's Early Years." Using the reading, answer the questions on the handout, Nome: A City of Boom and Bust.
Thursday, 10/22/2009:
- Discuss the assignment from yesterday.
- Again, emphasize the following concepts as they apply to Alaska. Note how they are present in the case study of Nome.
- colony
- boom and bust
- natural resources: renewable, non-renewable
- On the back of your worksheet answers to Nome: A City of Boom and Bust, respond to the following prompt:
- "Summarize how Nome in the early 1900's illustrates Alaska's colonial condition."
- Turn in the worksheet answers and the summary.
- Look at an overview of the period after purchase in the segment, "Folly or Fortune?" in the Alaska History Series. See how the colonial exploitation theme continues with the Pribilof fur seals and the salmon fisheries.
Friday, 10/23/2009:
- Because of the continued difficulties with the Zangle application, from this moment on I will not be using it. I will continue to used Easy Grade Pro and will upload grades every week.
- Return graded papers and go over the last test.
- View an overview of the period after purchase in the segment, "Mary Nell: The Adventures of a Pioneer " in the Alaska History Series. See highlights of Alaska history from the gold strike at Nome in to statehood.
Monday, 10/26/2009:
- Notes on the founding of Anchorage and the New Deal's effect on Alaska.
- 1912 - Alaska became a territory and gained the right to limited self-government - could elect a territorial legislature.
- 1915 - Construction began on the Alaska Railroad.
- Anchorage began as a construction camp.
- The railroad went from Seward to Fairbanks.
- Government Hill
- President Warren G. Harding
- Show the video, Building the Alaska Highway. Answer the following questions as you watch.
- Why was the highway built?
- When was it built?
- What places did it connect?
- Describe the terrain through which it was constructed.
- List the challenges faced by the builders.
Tuesday, 10/27/2009:
- Examine a 1943 map of the Alaska Highway.
- Complete the video, Building the Alaska Highway. Answer the following questions as you watch.
- Why was the highway built?
- When was it built?
- What places did it connect?
- Describe the terrain through which it was constructed.
- List the challenges faced by the builders.
- Discussion/Questions?
- Here is an article, Reindeer processing unit moved to Western Alaska, about the current state of the reindeer industry that began in the 1930's.
- Here is another article, Baracks With Bath. It is a Time Magazine article from August 31, 1942 on the highway's construction.
Wednesday, 10/28/2009:
Work in pairs or triads to examine the five maps posted about the room and complete the Anchorage Map Survey Worksheet. Turn in.
Thursday, 10/29/2009:
No class. Standardized testing and parent conferences.
Friday, 10/30/2009:
No class. In service.
Monday, 11/2/2009:
- Comments on the comming of World War II to Alaska. Begin the the video documentary, Alaska at War. As you view the video, these are some of the events, terms, and names important to know. You need not memorize the dates. They are listed in chronological order so you can see how events unfolded.
- Ernest Gruening
- General Simon Bolivar Buckner
- Alaska Territorial Guard (Eskimo Scouts)
- Lend-Lease aircraft to U.S.S.R.
- Fort Richardson and Elmendorf Airfield - 1940-41
- Pearl Harbor - December 7, 1941
- Japanese Internment - February 1942
- Alaska Highway Project and the Glenn Highway Projects - March 1942
- Dutch Harbor - June 3, 1942
- Battle of Midway - June 7, 1942
- Attu - June 7, 1942-June 1943
- Kiska - June 7, 1942- July 1942
- Aleut Evacuation - June 18, 1942-1947
- The basic questions for you to be able answer are -
- What happened in Alaska during World War II?
- How did the war affect Alaska?
- Handout: Alaska at War. Read for tomorrow. As you read, highlight significant facts and concepts.
Tuesday,11/3/2009:
- Conclude the video, Alaska at War.
- Go over the events, terms, and names posted in yesterday's log.
Wednesday, 11/4/2009:
- Your next test will include Gold Strikes, the establishment of Anchorage, Alaska and the New Deal, the building of the Alaska Highway, and World War II in Alaska. It will be on Monday, 11/9. It will consist of fill-in-the-blanks and short written responses to prompts I'll give you.
- Review the information from the reading, Alaska at War.
- Comments on wartime Anchorage.
- Review how Alaska was affected by the war? What are the significant facts and concepts in the reading, Alaska at War?
- What specifically happened in Alaska during World War II?
- Generally, how did the war affect Alaska?
- Read the following document and write a response to the questions.
Discussion.
- Nelson Act of 1905
- From what is in this law, what can you conclude was the general, pervasive attitude toward Alaska Natives within the Territory of Alaska?
- Describe the school system as it was established by the act.
- For tomorrow, read Letter to the Editor of the Nome Nugget and write a response to the questions below.
- In what newspaper was the letter published?
- When was it written?
- Who wrote it?
- What topic is the writer addressing?
- How does the author describe the situation about which she is concerned?
- What are the arguments she makes to support her views?
- What do you think she wants to be done?
Thursday, 11/5/2009:
- Go over the Letter to the Editor of the Nome Nugget. See a biography of Alberta Schenck.
- Terms, organizations, events, and persons include -
- View the video, When My Spirit Raised Its Hands, about Elizabeth Peratrovich and the Alaska Civil Rights Act of 1945. The debate that took place in the territorial legislature is recounted in An Account of the Debate on the Anti-Discrimination Legislation.
- For tomorrow, bring the handouts and notes from the last few days that have dealt with civil rights. You will have a writing assignment and may use them.
Friday,11/6/2009:
- Your next test will include Gold Strikes, the establishment of Anchorage, Alaska and the New Deal, the building of the Alaska Highway, and World War II in Alaska. It is postponed until Tuesday, 11/10. It will consist of fill-in-the-blanks and short written responses to prompts I'll give you.
- Examine the Alaska Civil Rights Act, 1945.
- Summarize what it sought.
- What concerns did it not address?
- Writing assignment:
- Using the documents and the analysis of them you have done, write a response to the following prompt:
Monday, 11/9/2009:
- Remember - Quix tomorrow on Gold Strikes, the establishment of Anchorage, Alaska and the New Deal, the building of the Alaska Highway, and World War II in Alaska. It will consist of fill-in-the-blanks and short written responses to prompts I'll give you.
- Turn-in the writing assignment made Friday: "Describe Jim Crow in Alaska and how the Alaska Civil Rights Act of 1945 was achieved."
- Use ELMO to project pictures showing the development of Anchorage. See how it has changed from the earliest times until today.
- Reflect upon the history of Alaska as you know it. List reasons why Alaska should become a state. Report and discuss.
- Discussion and notes on -
- Why did Alaskans wanted statehood?
- Why was their opposition to statehood?
- Read Modern Alaska: Statehood. For Monday, underline or otherwise highlight the main points and issues in the reading.
Tuesday, 11/10//2009:
Test as announced.
Wednesday, 11/11/2009:
Students view A Constitution for Alaska and complete and go over the video guide questions.
Thursday, 11/12/2009:
Read and answer the questions on Ernest Gruening's Speech, Let Us Now End American Colonialism.
Friday, 11/13/2009:
Read and answer the questions on Ernest Gruening's Speech, Let Us Now End American Colonialism. Bring your answers to class on Monday.
Monday, 11/16/2009:
- Turn-in the questions on Ernest Gruening's Speech, Let Us Now End American Colonialism.
- Organize students into small groups. To each group, handout the Constitution of the State of Alaska and a fictional lawsuit entitled, Peters and Abrams, et al. vs. The State of Alaska. Follow the instructions on the handout. Turn-in your group's responses.
Tuesday, 11/17/2009:
- Discuss your decision in the fictional lawsuit entitled, Peters and Abrams, et al. vs. The State of Alaska.
- Handout the Constitution of the State of Alaska and a copy of the Bill of Rights of the United States. Use both to answer questions on Alaska Constitution's Article 1 - Declaration of Rights. You may help one another answer the questions from the handout but each of you needs to write the answers on your own paper.
Wednesday, 11/18/2009:
Work on the Constitution of the State of Alaska assignment from yesterday. Answer the questions on Alaska Constitution's Article 1 - Declaration of Rights. You may work in pairs or individually. Complete and bring to class, tomorrow.
Thursday, 11/19/2009:
- Use your answers to the questions from yesterday to answer, in small groups, the following questions based upon what you find in the Declaration of Rights. For each answer the question "yes" or "no" and provide a constitutional basis for your decision. A "constitutional basis" means you will need to refer to one or more of the rights in the Declaration of Rights to explain and justify your decision.
- Is the death penalty constitutional in Alaska?
- Can the state legislature pass a law requiring BP and Conoco Phillips to hire Alaskans first?
- Can the state troopers arrest a person and take him to prison for 20 years?
- Can a 25 year-old legally smoke pot in his condo?
- Can Mr. Miller bring a firearm to school for personal protection?
- Can you walk downtown Anchorage with a loaded pistol on your hip?
- Can you walk into an Eagle River coffee shop with a 44 magnum in your backpack and a 22 pistol in your pocket?
- Can you sue and win damages from someone for spreading false and malicious lies about you?
- Turn-in the assignment from yesterday and the group wok from today.
Friday, 11/20/2009:
Go over the activity from yesterday and the individual assignment on the Declaration of Rights.
Monday, 11/23/2009:
- Return tests and graded papers. Go over the last test.
- The next map test and the test on Statehood and the Constitution of Alaska will be Wednesday, 12/2/2009.
- View The 49th Star: Sewards Folly. This is an overview and review of what we have been studying about Statehood and the Constitution. Your reaction to what you see should be, "I know that!"
- Terms to know:
- habeas corpus
- bill of attainder
- ex post facto law
- slander
- libel
- "...to work corruption of blood..."
Tuesday, 11/24/2009:
- Complete The 49th Star video. Discussion.
- Additional terms and concepts for the test include -
- Bill Egan
- 75 days
- 55 delegates
- January 3, 1959
- 1955-56
- Bob Bartlett
- "WE'RE IN"
- 103 million acres
Wednesday, 11/25/2009:
Guest speaker: Officer Steve Boltz and the laws of Alaska
Monday, 11/30/2009:
- I will be away until 12/14. Discuss what is to be on the final exam. We will review for the final on 12/14 and 12/15. Your final exam will be on 12/16 or 12/17.
- The next map test and the test on Statehood and the Constitution of Alaska will be Wednesday, 12/2/2009.
- You may work together to answer these questions but each of you should write answers on your own paper. The answers are in Articles 2 through Article 15 of the Constitution of the State of Alaska.
Tuesday, 12/1/2009:
- Complete and go over the assignment from yesterday.
- The mapquiz and the test on Statehood and the Constitution of Alaska will be tomorrow. You may use notes written on the small card I give you.
Wednesday, 12/2/2009:
Map quiz and a test over Statehood and the Constitution.
Thursday, 12/3/2009:
- Handout the Timeline of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Use it to follow events as you view the video documentary, The Alaska Pipeline.
- As you view the video identify the major events that led to its construction. What two major obstacles were placed in the way of pipeline construction?
Friday, 12/4/2009:
- Conclude the documentary, The Alaska Pipeline.
- Examine your notes to answer the following question: " What were the major events and circumstances that led to the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline?"
Monday, 12/7/2009:
Handout the booklet, An Alaskan’s Guide to the Permanent Fund, and the questions that go along with it. You may work together to answer the questions. Each of you should keep your answers.
Tuesday, 12/8/2009:
Complete and go over the assignment from yesterday.
Wednesday, 12/9/2009:
Assign and begin work on The 5 Most Important Things to Know about Alaska are...
Thursday, 12/10/2009:
Continue work on The 5 Most Important Things to Know about Alaska are...
Friday, 12/11/2009:
- Conclude The 5 Most Important Things to Know about Alaska are...
- Be prepared to present your project on Monday.
Monday, 12/14/2009:
Talk about Mongolia and my trip.
Tuesday, 12/15/2009:
- Present and turn-in The 5 Most Important Things to Know about Alaska are...
- All grades will be updated and uploaded this afternoon. Please check to ensure they are accurate. Please see me if you have a question.
- Preview the final exam:
- You may use notes on a 3"X5" card.
- You will be asked to draw a diagram that illustrates how the Permanernt Fund works.
Wednesday, 12/16/2009:
Final exams for Periods 1, 2, 3.
Thursday, 12/17/2009:
Final exams for Periods 4, 5, 6.