Alaska Day Mini Lessons
5th Grade
Embedded Files
Overview
Overview
In 5th grade, students reflect on Alaska Day as both a celebration and a reminder of history. They explore how the holiday is experienced by different groups (Americans, Russians, and Alaska Native peoples) and consider the responsibilities we carry today when remembering the past. Students investigate who is represented in Alaska Day events, who may be missing, and how celebrations can be more inclusive. Through projects like creating a newspaper front page or multimedia presentation, they practice analyzing perspectives, designing respectful ways to honor Alaska Day, and connecting their own role as community members to the stories we continue to tell.
Lesson Summaries
Lesson Summaries
Lesson 1 – Responsibility and Reflection
Students explore how Alaska Day is celebrated in Sitka today by taking on the role of an interviewer and learning about voices involved in the history today
Teacher Prep
Teacher Prep
Before the Lesson
Before the Lesson
Background Knowledge
Listen to or read summaries from:
Indigenous Voices Call for a New Kind of Alaska Day (KCAW).
Healing History: Alaska Day Under a New Lens (KCAW).
Community Connections
Consider inviting Elders, community members, or local historians to share perspectives if possible.
Classroom Prep
Set up a T-chart on chart paper: What we know | What we want to know.
Print/distribute the “All About Alaska Day” worksheet for students to fill in while watching the video.
Prepare perspective excerpts (American, Russian, Alaska Native) for discussion.
Print or project examples of newspapers and highlight key parts (headline, article, image, date line).
Download or prepare newspaper templates (digital or paper).
Materials Prep
Gather art and project supplies: poster paper, blank paper, markers, crayons, rulers, scissors, glue.
Ensure access to computers or tablets if students will use digital slideshows or podcasts.
Print sentence frames and word banks for scaffolding.
Set aside reflection circle chart paper to record final thoughts.
Designate wall/bulletin board space or a digital folder for a class gallery walk.
LESSON HOW-TO-GUIDE
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