TEACHER MODULES

TEACHING NOTES. A 3D (3-dimensional) map is an excellent device for helping students understand the great variety of land surfaces in Idaho. Every classroom should be equipped with a commercially-made 3D map.

Students will have a valuable learning experience if they make their own 3D maps of Idaho. There are at least 3 different materials that can be used for this project: (a) modeling clay, (b) flour-salt dough, (c) or cornstarch dough. For those people who have never made flour-salt dough or cornstarch dough, some simple instructions are included at the end of the student map activities.

Students will need a good geographic map of Idaho to study as they are constructing their own 3D maps. The map needs to show mountains, rivers, valleys, desert areas, and some indication of elevation. If your classroom doesn't have a 3D map to use as a model, the task will be much more difficult---but not impossible. I have located some excellent map resources on the Internet. Click here for more information.

Before beginning, give some thought to whether each student should make a map, or whether small groups of students should produce group projects. You will need to supply most of the materials.

TEACHING NOTES. The purpose of this Module 2 is to focus the students' attention on several important features of Idaho's geography. Each student will need a copy of the Crazy Bad Awful Mixed-Up Map Of Idaho, together with a copy of the student material in Modules 2.

1. Sandpoint	4. Lewiston	7. Hailey	10. Twin Falls
2. Coeur d'Alene	5. Mount Borah	8. Idaho Falls	11. Burley
3. Moscow	6. Boise	9. Pocatello	12. Minnetonka Cave

WRONG NAME	CORRECT NAME
Mexico	Canada
Montana	Washington
Wyoming	Oregon
Oregon	Nevada
Nevada	Utah
Utah	Wyoming
Washington	Montana

WRONG NAME	CORRECT NAME
Bear Lake	Lake Pend Oreille
Lake Coeur d'Alene (correct)	Lake Coeur d'Alene
Salmon River	Clearwater River
Teton Mountains	Bitterroot Mountains
Clearwater River	Salmon River
Lake Pend Oreille	Payette Lake
Sawtooth Mountains	Seven Devils Mountains
Bitterroot Mountains	Sawtooth Mountains
Seven Devils Mountains	Teton Mountains
Payette Lake	Bear Lake
Hells Canyon	Upper Snake River
Snake River	Should follow the northern edge of Twin Falls County and Owyhee County to the Oregon border.

TEACHING NOTES. The purpose of Module 3 is to help the students learn some important concepts about Idaho's counties---their own county as well as the others that make up our state. The student activities involve both maps and questions. You will need to instruct the students on the way you want the questions answered---by individuals or by partners, answers in writing or prepared for oral discussion, and so on.

Each student will need a copy of the outline map of Idaho's Counties and County Seats provided in this web site. Click here to go to MAPS. (You are free to make classroom copies of any of the maps provided in this web site.)

5. This is very hard to tell on the map. Smallest is (1) Payette County, having the fewest acres of land. Next smallest is (2) Teton, and then (3) Lewis, (4) Madison, (5) Franklin, (6) Gem, (7) Canyon, and (8) Jerome. All are small and would be good guesses.

7. This also will be hard to find. As of the 2001 census estimate, Clark County is smallest with only 971 people. Camas County is very close with 1,002 people. Other small populations (in 2001) include Butte (2,856), Adams (3,428), and Lewis (3,625).

8. Boise is Idaho's largest city. Boise is also the county seat of Ada County.

11. Southwest---Owyhee; Southeast---Bear Lake; Northeast corner of southern Idaho---Fremont.

TEACHING NOTES. Young people are fascinated by fossils---as are many adults. The purpose of Module 4 is to motivate the students and extend their knowledge of Idaho by capitalizing on one of their interests.

This module is suggested as a whole class activity. Distribute a copy of the student material to each student. Introduce the vocabulary and concepts, then have the students to read What is a Fossil? and The Hagerman Fossils. After reading, let them work in two's and three's on the Inquiry Questions that follow The Hagerman Fossils. Culminate this activity with a vigorous class discussion in which the students share their answers and ideas.

Assign the Make a Fake Fossil activity to a small group of volunteers. When they have finished making their "fossils," they should show and explain them to the class.

Dinosaurs in Idaho should stimulate some lively discussion. Students are likely to line up on both sides of the question of whether or not dinosaurs ever lived in Idaho. There is no final answer to the question. Ideas for Discussion will require high level thinking based on knowledge of Idaho's geography. You should look for quality in their thinking, and ask leading questions when necessary to keep the process going.

SPECIAL NOTE: A new and outstanding book on the Hagerman Horse is hot off the press! This book is a class act, with stunning photos and excellent narratives written by several individuals with special knowledge and expertise about Magic Valley. This is a "must have" book for any serious Idaho aficionado. Secrets of the Magic Valley and Hagerman's Remarkable Horse, edited by Todd Shallat, was just released by Black Canyon Communications, P.O. Box 9501, Boise, Idaho 83707. Check with your local book store or write to Black Canyon Communications.

TEACHING NOTES. The purpose of Module 5 is to stimulate interest in Idaho by focusing on a popular Idaho hobby. Many hobbyists like to work with gem stones, and rock hounds love to scour the Idaho landscape. Gem stones can provide students with a "solid" interest in Idaho, one that might carry into later life.

This module contains two main parts. The first describes how to make an Idaho design using gem stones. The second gives some information on rock hounding.

Why not invite someone from a local rock shop to talk to the students about Idaho gem stones? Afterward, those students who are interested can work independently on this module.