Check out our Web-based Resources for Educators at the American Geographical Society Library made by K12 teachers.
Decolonization and Independence in 20th Century Africa
With the end of the Second World War in 1945, colonial troops who had fought in the conflict returned home and joined movements demanding independence from European empires. This process of decolonization saw increasing calls for self-government, national pride, and an end to colonialism. Over the next three decades, dozens of countries in Africa and Asia achieved independence through a variety of different strategies. This project focuses on the story of decolonization in four African countries: Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Algeria. Additionally, the project also showcases important historical and geographical skills—visual thinking, spatial thinking, and critical thinking—that both students and teachers will find useful in helping to analyze and work with primary sources, especially maps.
World Explorers
La geografía del desplazamiento climático
This StoryMap uses AGSL maps and photos, as well as current data on extreme climate events, to lead students through an exploration of five major causes of climate change displacement. For each extreme climate event, the students will also explore a case study. This StoryMap is designed for an International Baccalaureate Spanish course and it includes interpretive reading activities, which provide practice for the IB exam (the activities will be linked in the fall of 2021). Although it is designed for an IB course, it can be used in any advanced Spanish course. This StoryMap includes a handout that students can use to reflect / answer the questions in the StoryMap. The handout can be found as a button at the top of the StoryMap page. All questions that are found on the handout are typed in blue on the Storymap. NOTE: This Storymap does not include a summative assessment because it is only one part of a larger unit that encompasses a broader scope of immigration issues.
I Am, Where I’m From
In this unit, students will analyze maps of their homelands from the AGSL Digital Collections dated as recently as 2018 to as far back as 1721. Specifically, students will use three pre-selected maps that include their home countries’ region. After
identifying and writing about their homeland, they will study how its name and borders have changed through the time period of these maps. Students will then perform research using online databases to learn how and why these changes
occurred. During this unit, students will also acquire new academic vocabulary while gaining insight into how people in power have changed our world.
Origins of ASL & History of North American Sign Languages
The final goal is for students is to not only read the StoryMaps, “The History of Sign Languages in North America” and the “The Origins of ASL,” but annotate as they read and answer text dependent questions connected to the material. The teacher will demonstrate annotating the first portion of both StoryMaps, then have the students complete annotating and reading the rest of the StoryMaps on their own. All of these steps will be done virtually, so students can work at their own pace, while still meeting the deadline.
European Colonialism
This unit will be used in sections of Ethnic Studies at the high school level. It focuses on European colonialism, specifically the impact that European colonization has had on formerly colonized nations. Students should examine the timelines and watch accompanying video clips; then, using the AGSL maps, connect that content with the given map. Following these two units, the students can further examine the role that colonization and global capitalism played in the formation of racist ideas that stick with us today.
The Untaught History of Afro-Latinos
Afro-Latinos is a topic that rarely gets covered in Spanish classes in the United States, and it is important to the history of Latin America. This StoryMap allows students to easily navigate information even if there isn’t a teacher physically there to help. The expectation is for students to practice their close reading skills and answer text-dependent questions as they read along.
Spatial Profiling: Milwaukee
An interactive Home Owners Loan Corporation map that shows how Milwaukee was divided based on race and class during the 1930’s under the New Deal mortgage program. There is also information on Milwaukee’s place in the Civil Rights movement to call attention to these issues in the 60’s and 70’s and how these neighborhoods are still affected today by food deserts.
The Arctic: Evolving Claims
This story map traces the evolution of competing claims made by various countries in the Arctic region by using various resources from the American Geographical Society Library.
Arctic: Indigenous People
This story map explores the culture of Arctic indigenous peoples through resources found in the American Geographical Society Library archives.
Mapping the Arctic
This story map incorporates various maps from the American Geographical Society Library and traces the evolution of Arctic mapping.
Who was Louise Boyd?
This story map utilizes resources from the American Geographical Society Library and encourages an examination of Louise Boyd’s contributions to polar exploration.
Mapping the World
This story map uses various maps from the American Geographical Society Library to examine the advances made in accurate world mapmaking.
Peary’s Polar Expeditions
This story map utilizes resources from the American Geographical Society Library to examine Admiral Robert Peary’s various polar expeditions leading to his successful reaching of the North Pole in 1909.
