Touching Spirit Bear: A Journey to Self Discovery

Introduction

Your DHHR worker just arrived at Cammack. You were handcuffed and flown across the country. As you step off the plane you are escorted to a small library. It finally registers in your mind; the Circle Justice group has made a decision. You are being banished to the Alaskan wilderness. Your DHHR worker stated that you will be given two weeks to research and study to learn everything that you will need to survive the next year alone in the Alaskan wilderness.

Task

You and your team will have three tasks to accomplish during your banishment:

The first task that you will need to complete is to create a Wilderness Survival Pamphlet detailing how to survive the Alaskan wilderness. You will need a survival pamphlet that details first aid techniques, information about the Alaskan Wilderness, and plants that are safe/dangerous to eat/touch.

The second task that will need to occur during your banishment is to prove that you have changed. You will need to display the changes made in your behavior and your development of coping skills. One way to showcase some of your new thought processes and skills is by creating a plan of action for Cole. This will be presented to the class at the end of the unit.

Process

Upon arrival in Alaska, your DHHR worker and a Tlinglet elder will meet with you. You will be assigned into groups of three. Each of you will play a vital role in your survival over the next year.

The Roles:

The Scientist: Scientist is responsible for researching the Alaskan Rainforest. They will provide information on the climate, terrain, and the flora and fauna of the region. This information will be vital for the survivalist.

The Survivalist: The role of the Survivalist will be to research means of survival in the Alaskan Rainforest. This information will be used to create a survival guide to be used during their year long banishment.

The Counselor: When taking on the role of Counselor students will be responsible for researching different coping strategies. This information will be used to develop a plan of action to help Cole return to High School.

 

The Process:

Step 1: Divide into your assigned groups. Review the responsibilities for each role. Clearly delineate each persons role in completing the WebQuest.

 

Step 2: Use the websites listed in the "Website" section under each of the roles to gather information about your topic.

 

Step 3: After gathering information, decide how you are going to create your task's product.

 

Step 4: Conference with your Elder (your teacher) to get approval for your product before beginning.

 

Step 5: When finished with your project you will write a one page summary of your findings; include what you have learned from Cole's journey, what skills you have learned that you can apply to your own future, etc

 

Step 6: Present your projects to the class as a group.

 

WEBSITES

The Scientist: Scientist is responsible for researching the Alaskan Rainforest. They will provide information on the climate, terrain, and the flora and fauna of the region. This information will be vital for the survivalist.

The Survivalist: The role of the Survivalist will be to research means of survival in the Alaskan Rainforest. This information will be used to create a survival guide to be used during their year long banishment.

The Counselor: When taking on the role of Counselor students will be responsible for researching different coping strategies. This information will be used to develop a plan of action to help Cole return to High School.

 

Evaluation



Criteria

Satisfactory- Meets Expectations

Unsatisfactory—Does Not Meet Expectation

Student

Demonstrated Understanding of the Task Assignment

 

 

Student notes/answers to questions evidence student learning.

 

Student provided a comprehensive list of websites where information was found and is included on a works cited.

 

Student provided a comprehensive and  informative survival guide

 

Product is informative and functional.

 

Use of different fonts, layout, charts, and pictures are added to the product.

 

Writing is clear and coherent with appropriate development and organization for task, purpose, and audience.

 

Used appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support the overall theme of the project.

One or more of the Meets Expectations items are missing or not addressed.

 

Student

Demonstrated

Understanding of Identified

WV Standards Associated with the Task Assignment

 

 

Student constructed a well thought out explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.

Student showed analysis of the characteristics of cultural contributions of Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics and all immigrants.

 

Student demonstrated analysis of the impact of the environment, including the location of natural resources, on immigration and settlement patterns throughout U. S. history.

 

Student demonstrated the ability to analyze and defend various accounts of a subject told in different mediums of informational texts (e.g., a person’s life story in both print and multimedia), determining which details are emphasized in each account.

One or more of the Meets Expectations items are missing or not addressed.

Student

Demonstrated Understanding of the Content Associated with the Task Assignment

 

Student produced thoughtful and thorough research notes.

 

Student produced a survival guide based on research.

Product is informative and functional.

Product includes information on the geography and climate of the Alaskan Rainforest.

Product includes relevant information for survival.

One or more of the Meets Expectations items are missing or not addressed.

Student Demonstrated an Understanding of Copyright and Intellectual Property Right

 

 

Student refrained from plagiarism.

Student provided verification from Paperrater.com

 

Work cited page is included with project.

One or more of the Meets Expectations items are missing or not addressed.

 

Student Demonstrated a Self-Assessment for Their Response to the Assigned Task

 

 

Student completed a tasks completed checklist throughout the webquest.

 

Student will write a one page summary/reflection. 

One or more of the Meets Expectations items are missing or not addressed.

Conclusion

Your year is up…. Have you found peace? Have you discovered forgiveness? You should be proud of your hard work, surviving the Alaskan wilderness is difficult, finding peace and forgiveness are even harder.

You have come to the end of a very trying journey. It is time to rest and reflect. Think of the wilderness, what it took to survive, and what you learned about yourself and how you cope. If you want to continue to learn about coping skills, you should visit the following sites:

https://www.thehelpfulcounselor.com/18-coping-skills-strategies-for-children-and-teens/

https://parents.au.reachout.com/skills-to-build/wellbeing/coping-skills-resilience-and-teenagers

https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/07/20/techniques-for-teens-how-to-cope-with-your-emotions/

http://www.copingskills4kids.net/For_Pre-Teens.html

Credits

AlaskaKids is a program of LitSite Alaska

University of Anchorage Alaska

http://www.alaskakids.org/index.cfm/know-alaska/Alaska-Geography/Forests

 

Exploring the Environment – Temperate Forests

Chris Kreger

http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/temprain/trtemprain5.html

 

 

Glacier Bay Country Inn

http://www.glacierbayalaska.com/rainforest-of-southeast-alaska/

 

 

Climate of Alaska

Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Alaska

 

 

Tongass National Forest

Alaska Wilderness League

http://www.alaskawild.org/places-we-protect/tongass-national-forest/

 

 

Kermode Bear

Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kermode_bear

 

 

Spirit Bears

National Wildlife Foundation – Ranger Rick

https://www.nwf.org/Kids/Ranger-Rick/Animals/Mammals/Spirit-Bears.aspx

 

 

Kermode Bear

National Geographic

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/08/kermode-bear/barcott-text

 

 

Wilderness Survival

Jalic Inc.

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/

 

Wilderness Survival

Jalic Inc.

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/chp10.php

 

 

Wilderness Survival

Jalic Inc.

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/chp15.php

 

Wilderness Survival

Jalic Inc.

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/chp2.php

 

10 Tips for Wilderness Survival

The Clymb

http://blog.theclymb.com/tips/10-tips-for-wilderness-survival/

 

 

Solo Survival: How to Survive Alone in the Wilderness for 1 week --Eastern Woodlands

Tom McElroy-Wild Survival

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cPdoqjgwfk

 

 

Wildwood Survival

Survival – Walter Muma

http://wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/

 

 

Wildwood Survival

Traps – Walter Muma

http://wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/traps/index.html

 

 

Wildwood Survival

Food – Walter Muma

http://wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/food/index.html

 

 

Wildwood Survival

Poisonous Plants – Walter Muma

http://wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/food/poisonousplants/index.html

 

Backpacker

First Aid

https://www.backpacker.com/survival/survival-skills/first-aid-survival-skills

 

 

99 Coping Skills

Your Life Your Choice – Boys Town

http://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/pages/tip-99-coping-skills.aspx

 

Title: Touching Spirit Bear

Author: Ben Mikaelsen

Published: 2001

Publisher: Harper Collins

Teacher Page

                                                                 By Peggyann Pratt

This WebQuest is designed to accompany the reading of the book Touching Spirit Bear. This WebQuest is designed to take approximately three weeks to complete. Students in the 9th-10th grades will learn about themselves and how to cope with the stresses of life, while learning about the Alaskan Rainforest and how to survive it. Students work individually to research their topic using the given links and their book, they will also work in groups to create their finished products and plan for their presentation.

Teacher Introduction

In this WebQuest, students will be researching the Alaskan Rainforest, learning how to survive in and out of the forest. Students will work independently and in small groups (3). They will need to collaborate to gather all of the necessary information and complete the tasks assigned to them. This activity meets standards in Science and English, as well as reinforces social skills and coping skills.   

WVDE College and Career Readiness Standards

Content Area: English Language Arts

Number and Complete Text:

ELA. 9.3; ELA. 10.3 Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a literary text, interact with other characters, and affect the plot or develop the theme.

ELA.9.15; ELA. 10.15 Analyze and defend various accounts of a subject told in different mediums of informational texts (e.g., a person’s life story in both print and multimedia), determining which details are emphasized in each account.

 

 

Content Area: Social Studies

 

Number and Complete Text:

SS.US.15 Analyze the characteristics of cultural contributions of Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics and all immigrants (e.g., Germans, Italians, Irish, etc.) to the new nation.

 

SS.US.16 Analyze the impact of the environment, including the location of natural resources, on immigration and settlement patterns throughout U. S. history.

 

Content Area: Science

Number and Complete Text:

 

HS-ESS3-1 Earth and Human Activity Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.

 

RST.11-12.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to important distinctions the author makes and to any gaps or inconsistencies in the account. (HS-ESS3-2)

 

RST.11-12.8 Evaluate the hypotheses, data, analysis, and conclusions in a science or technical text, verifying the data when possible and corroborating or challenging conclusions with other sources of information. (HS-ESS3-2)