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Blackfish

:

BLACKFISH

Science Standards:
A14A
A15
B1
B2

Math Standards:
A4
A6
Cultural Standards:
A4
C1
D1

Author (s):

Iditarod Area School District Sarah Hanuske-Hamilton

Elders and Local Experts
Edna Deacon, Lina Demoski, Helen Dick, Katherine Hamilton, Grace Holmberg, Mary Ellen Esai-Kimball, Hannah Maillelle, Betty Petruska

Grade Level:

4, 5, 6

Context:

Winter activity, 10 lessons

Region:

Interior Alaska - Athabascan

Science Standards:

A14A understand the interdependence between living things and their environments;
A15 use science to understand and describe the local environment (Local Knowledge);
B1 use the processes of science; these processes include observing, classifying, measuring, interpreting data, inferring, communicating, controlling variables, developing models and theories, hypothesizing, predicting, and experimenting: and
B2 design and conduct scientific investigations using appropriate instruments.

Skills and Knowledge:

1. identify local traditional blackfish sites and the clues to find new sites.
2. describe the life cycle of the blackfish in relation to its habitats.
3. observe blackfish behavior and structures.
4. design experiments to answer questions about ice formation and blackfish characteristics and functions.

Math Standards:

A4 represent, analyze, and use mathematical patterns, relations, and functions using methods such as tables, equations, and graphs;
A6 collect, organize, analyze, interpret, represent, and formulate questions about data and make reasonable and useful predictions about the certainty, uncertainty, or impossibility of an event.

Skills and Knowledge:

1. record and display data in table and graph form from experiments on ice formation and blackfish functions.
2. analyze and predict the outcome of ice formation.
3. interpret the relationship between the rate of respiration and the temperature of the blackfishs environment.

Cultural Standards: A4 practice their traditional responsibilities to the surrounding environment.
C1 perform subsistence activities in ways that are appropriate to local cultural traditions
D1 acquire in-depth cultural knowledge through active participation and meaningful interaction with Elders.

Skills and Knowledge:

1. practice respectful behavior toward the environment and dipping for blackfish.
2. describe traditional blackfish uses and beliefs and retell blackfish stories.
3. dip for, preserve and prepare blackfish.
4. show appreciation to the Elders and local experts.

To see the full unit:
http://www.ankn.uaf.edu/curriculum/units/blackfish.html

» Culturally-Responsive Units/Lessons

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