The Alaska Native Education Program has nearly completed the first interdisciplinary unit of instruction with an emphasis on culture called, "Immiugniq: Winter Sources of Drinking Water".

An Overview of the Unit

Levels/Subjects

• Upper Elementary Grades (4-6); Focus on 5th grade
• Science, Geography, Mathematics, English/Language Arts, World Languages

Organizing Questions

• How does a person obtain water away from the village or town?
• Why do humans need water?
• How are the water needs of people who live in the Arctic supplied, now and in the past?
• How healthy are our present and future water sources?

Summary

• They also learn through a variety of interdisciplinary activities about water use, water safety, traditions surrounding drinking water, and the science of snow, water, and ice. They undertake research and ovservation, perform scientific experiments, interview elders, engage in traditional Inupiaq practices, and draw conclusions.
  

The entire booklet is available for download (343KB) in Adobe Acrobat PDF.