Dig Deep

How do Native American landform creation stories compare to geologic evidence for the formation of the Olympic Peninsula?

There are many different accounts about the formation of the Olympic Peninsula.

You will:

1. Document sources in an annotated bibliography.

2. Write a historical question.

3. Answer your question with a position (thesis) statement.

4. Provide 3+ reasons for your thesis, each with evidence and an explanation.

Part 1: Create and Maintain an Annotated Bibliography

This is your list of sources and your short summary of each source.

• Read and follow the Annotated Bibliography Instructions 

• Login to our Google Classroom for your own copy of the Dig Deep (modified version here). 

For possible sources for your annotated bibliography: See stories here and geologic evidence here (other books are in the SMS library).

Part 2: Develop a Question

You will develop a historical question.  You may use a general or specific question.

Sample General Historical Questions (come up with your own):

• How do Native American landform creation stories compare to geological evidence for the formation of the Olympic Peninsula?

• What is the relationship between the Native American stories and geologic evidence for formation of the Olympic Peninsula mountains, rivers and lakes?

• What is the relationship between humans, the land and the forces that shape the land?

• How do the mythical beings and events from Native American stories connect with environmental factors and geologic processes? 

Sample Specific Historical Questions (come up with your own):

• How do the differing accounts of the formation of Lake Crescent relate to each other?

• How was 1700 "Orphan Tsunami" in Japan connected to flooding on the Olympic Peninsula?

• How do the different accounts of the formation of the Olympic Peninsula's rivers relate to each other?

• How do Native American stories for formation of the mountains relate to geologic evidence for formation of the mountains?

Login to our Google Classroom to get your own Dig Deep template to use for your own work (modified version here).

Part 3: State a Position on the Question

Take a position on your question. A position is essentially your answer to the question you wrote. This is your "thesis," which is your main point. Base your position on evidence from the sources you reviewed. See sources here & here.

Login to our Google Classroom to get own Dig Deep template to use (modified version here).

Part 4: Provide Reasons/Evidence/Explanations

Provide three or more reasons/evidence/explanations for your position that include:

1. Reason: Answer why your thesis is what it is.

2. Evidence: Describe a source that supports your reason (see here and here).

3. Explanation: Explain how the source supports the reason (include geographic and/or cultural perspectives).

Login to our Google Classroom to get own Dig Deep template to use (modified version here).

Dig Deep Pacing Guide 2024: 

• Thursday, 11/14: Learn geologic evidence for formation of Olympic Peninsula

• Friday, 11/15:  1 source in annotated bibliography

• Monday, 11/18: Learn Native American stories for formation of Olympic Peninsula - 3 sources in annotated bibliography

• Tuesday, 11/19: 4+ sources in annotated bibliography, question and position done

• Wednesday, 11/20: 4+ sources in annotated bibliography, question/position, and 1 reason/evidence/explanation done

• Thursday, 11/21: 4+ sources in annotated bibliography, question/position, and 2 reasons/evidence/explanations done 

• Friday 11/22: Complete and revise work, clean up grammar and spelling, and submit Dig Deep

Note: This project follows the "Dig Deep" guidelines from OSPI. See the Dig Deep scoring guide here for the specific criteria for whether a project will be accepted.

Note: Some school years, this project can qualify for the Washington State History classroom-based assessment (CBA), which is a high school graduation requirement. Students must earn at least an average score of 3 per the published rubrics in the Dig Deep. Students may revise their work anytime to improve their scores. 

Dig Deep Extension 1: Project and Presentation

Choose whether to do an essay, PowerPoint, movie, or other project.  Include all information from parts 1-3 in your project. 

Dig Deep Extension 2: Board Game

See the board game extension assignment here.  This can be done individually or in pairs as long as the pair is in the same class and the students work quietly (voice level 1) during class time.