Standard 4. Exploration, Conquest, Imperialism, and Post-Colonialism

Lesson Plans and Activities:

  • The Harpoon: Understanding the Space and Time of a Valuable Indiana Resource – 4.5 (6.2, 7.1, 7.2) a World War II era airplane is available for viewing at Mount Comfort Airport outside of Indianapolis (east in Hancock County, north of I-70). The aircraft is operated by the American Military Heritage Foundation, P.O. Box 29061, Indianapolis IN 46229. Contact Penny Litz, AMHF President at 317.883.4721 or 760.835.7529 to find out additional information and to arrange a tour. Indiana is lucky to have such a resource as the Harpoon (http://www.amhf.org/aircraft/harpoon.shtml). It is the only one on the entire planet that is flying! A book with information about the Harpoon, and other PV Units by Alan Carey is available.  The book provides background information about the Harpoon and other similar aircraft: rationale for development, successes, problems, international linkages and much more. PV Ventura/Harpoon Units of World War 2, ISBN 1-84176-383-7 can be found on Amazon.com or via Osprey Publishing (http://www.ospreypublishing.com/). Connect the Harpoon to the study of the U.S.S. Indianapolis and the study of a Landing Ship Tank (LST) located in Evansville, Indiana for a more comprehensive unit.
  • Regions Becoming a Global Community: Diffusion of Goods and Culture – Joy Loymeyer – 4.2. Lesson VI of VII (An Introduction to Geography and History through Regions).

Other Materials:

The Association of American Geographers has launched a new website entitled Geography & Human Rights Clearinghouse and Forum, available at: http://aag.org/geography_and_human_rights/index.htm. The website includes a bibliography on Geography and Human Rights research, as well as links to numerous NGOs, research centers, and scientific associations that focus on human rights issues, often while drawing upon geographic methods or technologies.

Geography of Poverty: Case Study: Moçambique (Power Point by Dr. Rick Bein, IUPUI Department of Geography)

Indiana Magazine of History; Published continuously since 1905, the Indiana Magazine of History is one of the nation’s oldest historical journals. Since 1913, the IMH has been edited and published quarterly at Indiana University, Bloomington. Today, the IMH features peer-reviewed historical articles, research notes, annotated primary documents, reviews, and critical essays that contribute to public understanding of midwestern and Indiana history. As well, classroom ideas are provided via the magazine and via the website. As an example Don Adams’ students explored, “The Chronicles of Upper Burnet” by William Gregory Harrison. This on-line visual provides a background, the chronicles of Mr. Harrison, and a teaching (cemetery) activity.

PBS has available on-line information about Global Connections, historic and geographic change on the human and physical world focusing on Liberia and the Middle East. Maps, timelines, and educator resources are provided.

Ted Ideas Worth Spreading provides a plethora of videos about many topics. One such topic is the demonstration of the use of an astrolabe by Tom Wujec. The 13th century astrolabe was able to perform many functions, thus, connecting the user to the spatial world around them.