Dot to Dot

This video illustrates the evolution of a small creek in Alaska, highlighting its historical and cultural significance. It delves into the interactions between the creek and the lives of various people over time, including the indigenous populations and settlers. The narrative weaves together environmental changes with personal and collective histories, showcasing the creek’s impact on the landscape and the community.

This film was created through our Educator Professional Development Workshop, Anchored Histories. Anchored Histories was developed from a grant from Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS), a partner program of the Library of Congress.

Lesson Plans

Local Histories: How Did Your Village Become a Village?

Historical Understanding: Students will be able to identify and document key events in the history of their village by engaging […]

Classroom Guide

Essential Questions

How did our village come to be?
How did it begin?
Why is it important to know this?
How can this help us move forward?

Standards

Alaska Cultural Standards for Students Culturally knowledgeable students are well grounded in the cultural heritage and traditions of their community. 3) acquire and pass on the traditions of their community through oral and written history; D. Culturally Knowledgeable students are able to engage effectively in learning activities that are based on traditional ways of knowing and learning. 4) gather oral and written history information from the local community and provide an appropriate interpretation of its cultural meaning and Significance; E. Culturally Knowledgeable students demonstrate an awareness and Appreciation of the relationships and processes of interaction of all elements in the world around them. 8) identify and appreciate who they are and their place in the world.
Alaska Content Standard: History C. A student should develop the skills and processes of historical inquiry. A student who meets the content standard should: 1) use appropriate technology to access, retrieve, organize, and present historical information

Resources

Lives in Our Lineage: A Lesson on Oral Histories

Workshop Info

In this professional development course, educators received comprehensive support to engage students in documentary filmmaking. Participants learned how to utilize primary sources from the Library of Congress and incorporated local resources such as Elder interviews, artifacts, photos, and documents. This training equipped teachers with the tools to create enriching, historically grounded educational experiences through the art of documentary filmmaking.