"I have a Cause In Alaska" : Digital Story

I created a digital story that I would love to do in a classroom. I didn't have a chance to do the digital story with a class, but I was able to do the Unit without the digital story component. The project is for them to find something that they would like to change in their neighborhood, community, or city. I want them to care about something.
The "I Have a Cause In Alaska" project requires students to:

- Research and find a cause that they want to take up at the local or state level in Alaska.

- Explore and propose a solution or change they want to see made based on that cause they are taking up.

- Write a proposal or create a digital story that addresses the cause and the proposed solutions.

- Identify who their local representative is in the legislature

- Write a letter to their representative about their cause and proposal (We will not send the letters)

I'll make activists out of them yet!

-Check out the Digital Story Map I used to create the storyline for my digital story. A story map is a great tool to use to organize the flow and content of a story before putting the story together digitally.

-To see a rubric that could be used to grade the digital story check out the Digital Story Rubric posted on Google Docs

-Click here to see my digital story example of the I Have a Cause in Alaska digital Story

Online Resources!

I use the internet so much for ideas, activities and resources. There are many great ones, but there are also so many that aren't up to par at all. I think it is important to identify those that cut to the chase and leave out mediocre resources. The websites and resources that I have identified have quality resources and have been used and recommended by others as well. The ones I recommend are for Geography, History, Alaska Studies, and Government teachers for the most part.

Alaska Geographic Alliance This site contains top-notch lesson plans, resources and information on front line information occurring in the geographic educational world

Holt Online Learning site Can also be a companion to the Holt text book. If you register with them you have access to even more great resources like maps, world newspapers, activities galore and support for classroom instruction.

Alaska Digital Archives Amazing, quality photographs and images of artifacts of Alaska

USA.Gov Easy to use Government reference, so great!

Enjoy!

Professional Organization

I joined the Anchorage School District (ASD) High School Social Studies Curriculum Committee online network this year.
It is a forum created by the head of the Social Studies curriculum committee to create a network for professional social studies teachers in the Anchorage School District, as well as a resource for those on the Social Studies Curriculum Committee. I wanted to be connected to a forum of teachers that will share ideas and be proactive with the social studies curriculum. I also saw this as a great place to be close to those that are designing the Social Studies Curriculum for ASD and to be kept up to speed of any changes and happenings.
I would encourage other social studies educators to link up to this forum and be assured of the high caliber educators connected to this network.

A link to the ASD HS SS Curriculum Committee