This inquiry explores how the landscape of North Dakota determines how we live on the land through the investigation of the compelling question “what has had the larger impact: the North Dakota landscape impacting humans, or humans impacting the landscape?” The importance of understanding the landscape in this inquiry is twofold: (1) students should be able to understand the significant physical geographic features that influenced the state’s modern economy and (2) how people living on the land change and shape it to meet their needs. While progressing through the inquiry, students will analyze the geography of the state and speculate future scenarios.
This inquiry is expected to take one class period; however, teachers are encouraged to adapt the inquiry to meet the needs and interests of their students and the amount of time they have available.
- The Natural World (Document Set)
Understand: Identify a geographic feature found in North Dakota that has had an impact or been important to your daily life. Outline the significance (social, political, and/or economic) of that feature. How did it influence your life? Will it continue to be important in the future?
Assess: Determine the consequences of the feature identified.
Act: Take the poster you created to present to your class and use your research to create a documentary. Present the documentary to your community during a history fair.