Teacher's Guide for COBBLESTONE ^® Alaska

• be assigned to groups that will each reread specific articles in this issue.
• write a group letter to an organization, group, or individual that could assist them with information on the topic of the article they reread.

• research the topic of their article.
• prepare a "Last Frontier Exhibit" on their topic. The exhibit will be open to other classes in the school.
• construct a display for the exhibit.
• prepare handouts for their audience.
• write a presentation script for their group that has a part for each member.
• present their work to class members as well as other audiences (other students and teachers, administrators, and/or parents)

1. Explain to students that they will be preparing exhibits for a "Last Frontier Fair" that the class will sponsor. The fair will consists of booths that their audiences can visit to learn more about Alaska's history and present-day Alaska.
2. They will begin by writing letters to different organizations, groups, or individuals that can assist them with information.

1. Outline the steps that will be taken over the next several days to prepare for the fair. Students will be assigned to a group that will work on one of the topics addressed in the readings on Alaska. These are:
   1. Native People of Alaska
   2. Alaska's Russian Roots
   3. From US Territory to Statehood
   4. Gold in Alaska
   5. Oil in Alaska
   6. Alaska - a Rich Land of Beauty and Extremes
   7. The Alaskan Highway
   8. The Iditarod Race
2. Explain how letter writing, to organizations, groups, and or individuals associated with their topic, could help the group extend information and ideas for their exhibit.
3. Review the format for a business letter, particularly one that requests information and / or materials. Have a model letter on a transparency or on a sheet of chart paper. Point out each required part as well as techniques for message communication with a courteous and appreciative tone.

1. The teacher assigns groups or allows students to negotiate groups based on interest while ensuring that groups are well balanced (heterogeneous).
2. Students reread the article related to their topic.
3. Brainstorm the organizations, groups, or individuals that the students will write to for information. Suggestions are as follows:
   • Alaska State Department (address at www.state.ak.us)
   • Governor's Office (address at www.state.ak.us)
   • Alaskan Congressional Delegation (address at www.state.ak.us)
   • Department of Environmental Conservation (address at www.state.ak.us)
   • Department of Natural Resources (address at www.state.ak.us)
   • Travel Agencies (e.g. Automobile Association of America)
   • Alaskan Native Heritage Center (www.alaskanative.net)
   • Alaskan Sled Dog and Racing Association ()
4. Assign letter recipients to groups based on the relationship of the source to topics. Have group members get together to brainstorm questions they want to ask the receiver of their letter. These will be used in the body of the letter. Have group members gather around a computer to search for an address and contact person for their letter. They will use the internet website for the source. If computers are not available in the classroom, the teacher will locate addresses for students.

1. Have group members share the questions they have drafted.
2. Class members will give feedback to each group, helping them expand on the questions that they have.

1. At a later time, group members will work together to draft a letter. They will check that the format for a business letter was followed.
2. Students will be given time to have members of another group listen to their draft and offer suggestions for revisions. Revisions will be made based on this feedback.
3. Groups will edit their letter. The teacher will do a final edit before the letters are word processed and mailed.

• work successfully with peers to complete the brainstorming, drafting, revising, editing, and word processing phases of the writing task.
• draft clear, interesting, comprehensive, and well edited business letters requesting information on their topic.

1. Create a large web of the various distinctive groups of Alaskan Native People. (See web model form.) Make booklets for each group represented. Booklets will be constructed in the shape of a person. The cover and back will be illustrated in the native clothing of these people and the pages within will describe the people, their customs, history, and culture.
2. Construct a table display model of the Alaskan Highway.
3. Have a display (pictures, objects, artifacts) of items, buildings, city names, and other "artifacts" of the Russian Heritage for this land and people.
4. Represent the values and amounts of Alaska's resources on a chart or matrix. This will include animals, land, and natural resources.
5. Design a pictorial time line for the Alaskan Gold Rush.
6. Prepare a seasonal weather map for the state.
7. Create a display on the Iditirod Race. This will include information on the history of the race, purpose, past winners, rules, and the route.
8. Create a wall collage of pictures, maps, etc. that are collected from the internet and travel offices or borrowed from people in the community.
9. Display books of all types related to the topics studied. The community library and local book stores could help.
10. Groups present their exhibit to small audiences that gather around the booth.
11. Participants at the fair are asked to complete a comment sheet before they leave.

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Updated: 11/20/09 09:53 pm
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