INTRODUCTION FOR TEACHERS

I think Idaho history is exciting! Students and teachers should love to study Idaho. Thus I am developing and maintaining this web site, The Idaho Compass, to assist students and teachers in learning about Idaho history and geography. It provides specific teaching suggestions, resource materials, and student activities. You will find many Idaho history and geography activities, interesting tidbits about Idaho and its people, updated information about state officials, and other changes that affect our state. New and interesting resources will be reported as they become available. Last but not least, the site includes an annotated bibliography of books and electronic media that can provide you with a foundation from which to assist your teaching and learning about Idaho.

The Idaho Compass is divided into two separate parts, one for teachers (Faculty Room) and one for students (Kids' Compass). The content is organized in such a way that lessons and ideas presented in the Faculty Room are accompanied by student material in the Kids' Compass. The teacher can move directly from a specific lesson idea to the appropriate kids' page with one click of the mouse.

The content of The Idaho Compass is intended to be useful to all teachers of Idaho history and geography, whether or not they are using the Story of Idaho as a textbook. The Idaho History portion of The Idaho Compass is organized into twelve "chapters," each of which corresponds to a chapter in The Story of Idaho. The content, however, is sufficiently generic that it should be useful in any classroom.

Student material is presented in the form of Student Activity Modules. Each module contains a section for teachers and a section for students. A link is provided to take the teacher directly to the student material for each module. Students can access the student material through the Kids' Compass side of the web site.

Chapter 1 begins with an overview of our state and highlights many of its interesting features. Chapter 2 explores the geography of Idaho, with many links to the geography portion of the web site. Chapter 3 acquaints students with Idaho's Indians as they lived when the first explorers arrived, and the story continues with the progress of the explorers, trappers, missionaries, and the first immigrants.

Later the student follows the gold rush, and then the development of ranches, farms, and towns. Chapter 8 examines pioneer life as ranches, farms, and towns develop. Chapters 9 and 10 describe our industries and economic base. Chapter 11 examines Idaho's government (state, county, and city). Last but not least, Chapter 12 deals with our people---our ethnic groups and a sampling of famous Idaho people.

The Idaho Compass is a permanent work in progress, providing a variety of ideas and materials to help keep your teaching fresh and stimulating.

Chapter 1 Introducing Idaho

Chapter 2 Exploring Idaho's Land

Chapter 3 Indians: Idaho's First People

Chapter 4 Lewis and Clark Come to Idaho

Chapter 5 Settlers Come to Idaho

Chapter 6 The Great Idaho Gold Rush

Chapter 7 Taming the Land

Chapter 8 Pioneer Life in Idaho Territory

Chapter 9 Farming: Idaho's Soil and Water

Chapter 10 Idaho's Forests and Mines

Chapter 11 Idaho's Government---By the People

Chapter 12 Idaho's People---Our Greatest Pride

Copies of The Story of Idaho, Millennial Edition can be obtained from The University of Idaho Press, 16 Brink Hall, Moscow, Idaho 83844-1107.

If you have questions or suggestions, I can be reached by email at virgily@msn.com .