Core Skills Analysis
History
- Learnt about the historical use and significance of Montana's landscapes by different populations over time.
- Gained insight into the evolution of human interaction with Montana's natural environment across historical periods.
- Explored how Montana's natural resources and geography shaped historical events and lifestyles.
- Understood the changes in Montana's social and cultural history through the perspective of wild habitats.
Social Studies
- Recognized the importance of Montana’s ecosystems and wildlife to contemporary local communities and their cultures.
- Identified basic relationships between humans and the environment emphasizing preservation and conservation efforts.
- Developed awareness about how natural features influence community development and social practices in Montana.
- Introduced concepts of environmental stewardship as part of social responsibility within Montana’s context.
Tips
Tips: To deepen understanding, encourage the student to research specific Native American tribes in Montana and how their cultures connect to the wild landscapes highlighted in the documentary. Organize a nature walk or visit to a local park where the child can observe wildlife and consider how people rely on and protect these habitats today. Invite the student to create a simple poster or collage depicting Montana's wildlife and human history, fostering a personal connection to the subject matter. These activities can transform passive watching into active exploration, making history and social studies tangible and memorable.
Book Recommendations
- Montana's Historical Wild Places by Sally M. Walker: A beautifully illustrated book that introduces young readers to Montana's landscapes and the rich history tied to its wild places.
- The Great Montana Wild by Anna M. Smith: A story that combines adventure and facts about wildlife and people living in Montana’s untamed regions.
- Exploring Our Environment: Montana by Jeffrey D. Olsen: An informative nonfiction book that showcases Montana’s ecosystems, wildlife, and the communities that interact with the environment.
Learning Standards
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.3: Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.7: Use information gained from illustrations and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using descriptive details and clear event sequences.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SS.3.1: Understand communities and the relationships between people and their environments.
Try This Next
- Create a timeline worksheet showing major historical events and natural changes in Montana’s landscapes.
- Write a short story or diary entry from the perspective of a Montana settler or Native American child living in the wild regions.