Shortcut to Modules    Module 1    Module 2    Module 3    Module 4    Module 5   Module 6
Teaching Notes    Module 1    Module 2   Module 3    Module 4    Module 5   Module 6

Modules Notes for Teachers

Chapter 1

Module 1    Idaho's Boundaries---a Map Lesson

TEACHING NOTES.  The purposes of Module 1 are to teach students about (a) Idaho's state boundaries, (b) our neighboring states, and (c) the natural features that separate us from our neighboring states.  The students will need a wall map of the U.S. showing both topographical features and state boundaries.

Give each student a copy of the Inquiry Activities, contained in the student materials section.  (Click below for student material.)   Allow students to work together in pairs. After everyone is finished working out the answers, have a class discussion reviewing what they have learned.

After the discussion, have each student write a paragraph describing what he/she has learned about Idaho's boundaries.

MOD 1 Click on icon for Module 1.

ANSWERS TO INQUIRY ACTIVITIES IN MODULE 1

 1.  Utah, Colorado, and many others.

 2.  Oregon - ocean; Montana - mountains; and many others.

 3.  Hawaii.

 4.  Six if you count 2 on the western border of the state.

5.   Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana, plus Canada.

6.   Those with jagged or crooked lines.

7.   Washington, Oregon, and Montana.

8.   Mountains on the east; Snake River on the west.         

9.   These features can be easily identified on the ground.  Often they are barriers to travel, such as high mountains, deep canyons, or the ocean.

10.   Some places don't have natural features that would make good boundaries, such as areas of flat or gently rolling land.          

11.   Near the northwest corner of the United States, east of Washington, west of Montana, north of Nevada, etc.

12.   United States of America, North America, planet Earth, orbiting around the sun, which is a star in the galaxy called the Milky Way.

Module 2    Idaho's Symbols---What Do They Tell About Our State?

TEACHING NOTES.  The purposes of Module 2 are (a) to teach the students about Idaho's state symbols, and (b) to help the students develop an understanding of why we have state symbols.

Give each student a copy of the student material that follows.  Have them read it silently while referring to a picture of the Great Seal (page 16 in The Story of Idaho).

When the students have finished reading, conduct a class discussion using the Review Question and the Questions for Thought and Discussion.

 At the end of the oral discussion, have the students work the Inquiry Activities in small groups.  Culminate this activity by having each group present its work to the whole class.  Then have a final review, again using the Review Question and the Questions for Thought and Discussion.

MOD 2  Click on icon  for Module 2.

ANSWERS TO REVIEW QUESTION  IN MODULE 2

State Animal - Appaloosa       
State Bird - Mountain Bluebird
State Dance - Square Dance
State Fish - Cutthroat Trout
State Flower - Syringa 
State Fossil - Hagerman Horse
State Fruit - Huckleberry
State Gem - Star Garnet 
State Motto - Esto Perpetua     
State Nickname - Gem State  
State Tree - White Pine 
State Vegetable - Potato  

SUGGESTED ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT AND DISCUSSION.      

1.  For many years, the word "Idaho" was thought to come from an Indian word, "E Dah How," which had the meaning "Gem of the Mountains."  Now there is serious doubt that such an Indian word ever existed.  However, "Idaho" has come to mean "Gem of the Mountains" in English, so Idaho is called the "Gem State."  

 2.  They are fun. They remind us about our state.  They tell other people interesting things about our state.

3.  Things that are beautiful, interesting, or important.  The best things the state has to offer.  Things that are representative of the state.

 4.  No.  These things are not typical of Idaho. These symbols are right for those other states because they represent things typical of those states. Idaho needs other symbols.

Module 3    Idaho's State Flag, Great Seal, and Motto

TEACHING NOTES.  The purpose of Module 3 is to familiarize the students with Idaho's State Flag, Great Seal, and Motto.

The module culminates with an art activity.  Each student needs (a) a copy or a pattern of 
Great Seal of Idaho, and (b) a picture of the State Flag.  The State Flag (or a picture) should be displayed somewhere in the classroom.

Tell or read aloud to the students the information contained in the Student Material.  As the students listen, have them examine the pictures of the Great Seal and the State Flag.

As you proceed, write the key words and symbols on the chalkboard and discuss what they mean:

After presenting and discussing this material, give each student a copy or pattern of the Great Seal.  Let each student choose art option A, B, or C described in the student material.

MOD 3  Click on icon  for Module 3.

Module 4    Idaho Believe-It-Or-Not

A Sketch Book Activity

TEACHING NOTES.  The purpose of Module 4 is to motivate students to learn about Idaho by presenting them with interesting (and hopefully fascinating) information about our state.  A few students might be sufficiently motivated to become questers (self-learners) about Idaho subjects.

People love to hear unusual and amazing facts.  That is why Ripley's Believe-It-Or-Not has long been a favorite for adults and young people alike.  Sharing a copy of Ripley with your students would be a good way to get them started on this activity.  Paperback editions of Ripley's work have been reprinted from time to time, so you may be able to find one.  (Also try your public library.)  Ripley does not deal with Idaho, but his Believe-It-Or-Not idea is an excellent way to get students interested in assorted Idaho facts and places.  An Idaho Believe-It-Or-Not is an excellent way to begin an Idaho Sketch Book. It is a project that can continue through each chapter or topic as it is studied.  Idaho has a great number of unusual and amazing facts and places that make excellent Believe-It-Or-Not items.  Students will discover these from time to time as they read  The Story of Idaho and other Idaho materials.  It will be a more interesting
Idaho Sketch Book if Believe-It-Or-Not items are scattered throughout.

The student material contains some of my own Believe-It-Or-Not items that students can use to start their own Idaho Believe-It-Or-Not collections.  

Art sketches should be used to illustrate Believe-It-Or-Not items.

MOD 4 Click on icon  for Module 4.

Module 5   Chapter 1

Idaho's Heritage: Got Stamps?

TEACHING NOTES.  The purpose of Module 5 is to motivate students to learn about Idaho by introducing them to a variety of interesting postage stamps that have Idaho connections.

You will note that I suggested to the students that they study each of the stamps below and try to discover the connection to Idaho (just for fun).  Obviously, they will need to study Idaho history before they can make all of the connections.

 I suggest that you introduce some of the stamps to the the students and work to pique their interest.  Who knows?  You might even want to start a stamp collection of your own!

MOD 5 Click on icon  for Module 5.

Module 6   Chapter 1

Wild Animals of Lewis and Clark

TEACHING NOTES.  The purpose of Module 6 is to motivate students to learn about Idaho by showing them an array of stunning photographs of wild animals that Lewis and Clark observed on their trek west.  Most but not all of the animals shown can be found in Idaho.

The animal pages contain both photos and text relating to the animals.  I suggest that the students be encouraged to explore the animal pages as freely as their interest leads them.  At a later time, you could have a class discussion about the animals and the information contained on the pages. 

MOD 6 Click on icon  for Module 6.

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