Virtual Atlas Education

http//:www.evergreen.edu./user/virtatpnw/

Lesson Five

A Quick Look at the Makah Whaling Issue.

Purpose:

To start to understand different values for different people in different places. How does a place shape a people and how do people change places? Who has authority and the right to dictate the use of resources?

Objectives:

1. To began to mentally grasp the different values of different cultures
2. To gain a deeper understanding of the Internet as a research source
3. To develop objective reading and thinking skills.
4. To exercise clear thinking and writing skills.
5. To realize that many issues have no simple answer.

Related Washington State EALRs:

Geography

3.1. Identify the characteristics that define the Pacific Northwest and the Pacific Rim as regions

3.2. Analyze how the environment and environmental changes affect people

3.3. Examine cultural characteristics, transmission, diffusion, and interaction

National Geography Standards:

14. How human actions modify the physical environment.

15. How physical systems affect human systems

16. The changes that occur in the meaning, use, distribution, and importance of resources.

Curriculum Connection:

History, social studies, research skills, Federal – Indian relations

Length of Time Required:

Two to six hours depending on the depths you wish to delve.

Materials:

1. Computer with Internet access
2. Writing instrument
3. Paper

Procedure:

Step 1. A quick skim of graphic images on the Internet will likely raise interest in the topic. A discussion of the variety of foods people eat and what it means to them culturally is relevant.

Step 2. Hand out a copy of the instructions and make computers with Internet access available.

Conclusion:

I will not make my usual comments on this. A follow up could be extensive. Our students were very interested in and divided on the topic. The online research was preceded by a vote with your body and discussion session. In that activity students would listen to a statement about the topic, for example "I believe the Makah have a just right to hunt Whales." They would then group themselves beneath a sign stating "I strongly agree" "I agree" "I’m neutral" "I disagree" or "I strongly disagree". Several different statements were made and after each students were asked why they felt as they did. The activity was repeated after research, many had changed their standing on some statements.

A follow up Internet projection show exhibited some of the most striking images found by everyone. Then we had a full class period of heated seminar. Another lesson about bias based on some of the materials found regarding the issue followed.

Key Vocabulary:

Peninsula –A piece of land nearly surrounded by water.

Heritage- Something transmitted by or acquired from a predecessor: legacy, inheritance.

Go to Student Worksheet