This section of the Teacher's Guide was developed specifically to complement the video, The 49^th Star, the documentary developed by KUAC as part of the University of Alaska's Creating Alaska project. The Creating Alaska project is designed to celebrate the milestones of Alaska's statehood on its 50th anniversary.

The commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Alaska Constitutional Convention and statehood provides an opportunity for Alaska teachers and students to take a closer look at not only the constitution, but the historical context in which it was written. The lessons which follow are designed to be used with The 49^th Star and in conjunction with the Governing Alaska unit of the Alaska History and Cultural Studies web site and course.

The video glossary and video guide will assist in making viewing of The 49^th Star more meaningful for students. The four major lesson plans focus on the historical context of the constitution, its provisions, and on the Alaskans who played leadership roles in the writing the constitution. Also included are lesson plan ideas. These ideas are intended to provide the teacher with a starting place from which to create lesson plans for individual students and classes. The lessons and ideas were generated from the 49^th Star film and Creating Alaska website. The film and website form a resource base for the lessons, although many other sources could also be utilized.

Teachers may want to review all of the lessons to determine which will work best for their students. Teacher access to the password protected answer keys may be obtained by emailing and providing your name, school, district, and the grade you are teaching.

• Act 1
    Answer Key – Password Protected
• Act 2
    Answer Key – Password Protected
• Act 3
    Answer Key – Password Protected

• Lesson Plan: How History Shaped the Alaska Constitution
  • Task 1: Readings and Guided Questions
    • "A Delegate for Alaska" / "Morgan-Gugenheim Syndicate Creates Shipping Monopoly"
    • Guided Questions
  • Task 2: Reading and Guided Questions
    • "Salmon Politics"
    • Guided Questions
  • Task 3: Readings and Guided Questions
    • "Excerpt from Bob Bartlett's Speech" / Alaska Constitution Article VIII
    • "Alaska Constitution: A Citizen's Guide" – Article VIII excerpt (whole article on the Creating Alaska site)
    • Guided Questions
  • Essay Prompts
  • Essay Graphic Organizers:
    1. Imagine you are a framer of the Alaska Constitution…
    2. How far has Alaska progressed…?
    3. What issues do you see in Alaska today…?
• Lesson Plan: Alaska Statehood – Profiles of Leadership
  • Student Guide
  • Presentation Format Form
  • Alaska Statehood Players Chart
• Lesson Plan: Compare/Contrast: The United States and Alaska Constitutions
  • Student Guide
  • Chart 1: Constitutional Provisions
     Answer Key – Password Protected
  • Chart 2: Rights of Citizens
      Answer Key – Password Protected
  • Chart 3: Alaska Constitution Detective Work
      Answer Key – Password Protected
• Lesson Plan: The Alaska Constitution: What it Means to You
  • Handout Cards: Important Sections of the Alaska Constitution
  • Task 1 Handout: The Constitution and You
     Answer Key – Password Protected
  • Task 2 Handout: What the Constitution Means
    
  • Task 3 Handout: Court Cases
     Answer Key – Password Protected
    
  • Task 4 Handout: Court Cases: Become an Expert
    
  • Task 5 Handout: Constitutional Provisions

1. Alaska Constitution Convention Delegates: A Geography Lesson
2. Alaska Constitutional Convention: A Photo Analysis
3. Alaska Constitutional Convention: Role of Women
4. Delegates to the Alaska Constitutional Convention: Who Was Your Delegate?
5. Alaska Constitutional Convention: Analysis of the Speeches
6. Alaska Constitutional Convention: Simulation