Lessons & Units
A database
of lessons and units searchable by content and cultural standards,
cultural region and grade level. More units will be available soon.
You can use Acrobat Reader to look at the PDF version of the Cover
Sheet
for the Units and Self-Assessment
for Cultural Standards in Practice.
Winds
And
Weather
by Jonas Ramoth and Sidney Stephens
Section I - Observing Locally
Each community in Alaska has its own weather pattern related partly to the
general circulation in the atmosphere, and partly to local disturbances and
variations. Long-term observers often know the nuances of local weather with
great intimacy and have a sense of which factors in combination are predictive
of which weather outcomes for their particular area. They depend upon this knowledge
to make decisions about such things as how to dress, the safety of travel, and
the best times for subsistence activities. Such knowledge bearers believe that
it is critical for adolescents to learn weather observation and forecasting
skills so that they too will know how to be safe when travelling independently
on the land.
Consequently, in this section students work with local experts and their teacher
to design and conduct a weather study built initially upon traditional weather
knowledge. Such a study is aimed at developing the habit of weather watching
and the skills of: observing and describing weather; noticing sequences of events;
identifying locally significant patterns and relationships; and applying this
knowledge to their daily lives. It is also aimed at developing appreciation
and understanding of the ways in which the local culture and environment have
affected the development of scientific knowledge about weather. This unit is
built upon the information generously shared by Jonas Ramoth (please see preface).
Standards
Section I - Observing Locally
Section II - Understanding Wind
Section III - Connecting
Globally
Appendix A - Selawik Weather Information from
Jonas Ramoth
Appendix B - Assessment
Appendix C - Weather Resource
List
Appendix D - Interdisciplinary Integration
Handbook
for Culturally Responsive Science Curriculum by Sidney Stephens
Excerpt: "The information and insights contained in this document will be
of interest to anyone involved in bringing local knowledge to bear in school
curriculum. Drawing upon the efforts of many people over a period of several
years, Sidney Stephens has managed to distill and synthesize the critical ingredients
for making the teaching of science relevant and meaningful in culturally adaptable
ways." |
