Level	Curriculum- Critical Content	Curriculum Guiding Question	Project Title	Description	Question-Why? How? Which one?	Scenario	Decision or Choice Student Makes	Product
2nd (Geneva School website)	Science-Animals		Choose Your Pet Bird	Students decide on traits important in a pet for themsleves and research to discover the best bird for them.	Which kind of bird would make the best pet for you?	You have always wanted to have a pet bird. You ask your parents if you can go down to the pet store to buy one. Your parents agree, on one condition: they want you to find out which kind of bird will make the best pet. If you can persuade them that your choice is the right one, then they will let you have a pet bird. So, you make a trip down to the pet store, to see what kinds of birds they have. These are the birds that you see at the pet store:Parrot, Canary, Cockatiel. Your job is to decide which of these birds would make the best pet. You are anxious to have a pet bird, so begin your research now!	Select your 3 most important traits for a pet and use these as the criteria to make your choice.	Power Point presentation to convince your parents
3rd	S.S.-Native Americans	How do geography and culture affect where people live?	Where Will You Live?	Students decide where to settle as they study the Native American regions and living conditions in the 1800s.	Which of the 4 Native American regions is best for your family to live in?	Your family has given you the responsibility of selecting a Native American region in which to live.In order to make your decision, you will visit 4 Native American regions, to find out which one would provide the best living conditions for your family's needs. The four regions that you will visit are: Northwest Coast Region, Plains Region, Southwest Region, Eastern Woodlands Region.	Region with best living conditions for your family.	PowerPoint presentation and persuasive speech
3rd	S.S.-Early Whatcom County History	How did natural resources affect the choices people made in our local community?	Uncle Cyrus Needs a Job	In the year 1900 many people moved out west to find new jobs and homes.  Bellingham Bay was a perfect place that offered beauty, fresh air, and many job opportunities.  Imagine yourself arriving in Bellingham over a hundred years ago!	Which is the best job to recommend for Uncle Cyrus?	It is the year 1900. You are the children of Charles and Lucy Booth. You live with your parents and your Grandfather, Henry Ridgeway, in the town of New Whatcom, on Bellingham Bay. Your parents receive a letter from your Uncle Cyrus, who lives in Peoria, Illinois. He is thinking about moving to the Pacific Northwest. Before he makes that decision, he needs to know if there are job opportunities in this area. He asks your parents to investigate the local jobs, and then to recommend a job that they think would be best for him.  You know that your parents are too busy, so you volunteer to scout around for Uncle Cyrus!	Best job for your uncle	Write a letter in correct format, report on your findings and describe best job.
3rd	Science-Seashore Life	How does the environment affect how animals live?	Seashore Decision	Students visit four tidal zones and choose to become a seashore animal.	Which tidal animal would you rather be?	You have been reading a "Magic School Bus" story. You fall asleep and when you wake up, you discover that you are under the water near the rocky seashore! A giant clam opens up and tells you that if you want to survive in this habitat, you will have to become a tidal zone animal. The choice is up to you. Your job is to find out which tidal zone animal you would rather be. You want to make the best choice possible, so you decide to visit an animal from each of the four tidal zones, and observe in each. These are the four tide zones. You will choose one animal to visit from each tide zone. Low Level Tide (Sea Star, Octapus, Lobster), Mid Level Tide (Chiton, Sea Anenome, Hermit Crab), High Level Tide (Crab, Mussel), Splash Zone (Barnacle, Snail, Limpet) Select an animal from each of the four tidal zones to visit and observe. Record the names of the four animals you selected on your Notes Sheet.	Which tidal animal you would rather be	PowerPoint presentation
4th	S.S.-Washington State Geography	How do geography and resources affect the choices people make in Washington State?	Road Trip Through Washington	Students propose their family’s summer vacation travel by examining the recreational opportunities in the different regions of the state of Washington.	What would be the most interesting regions for your family to visit? Will there be activities for all family members to enjoy at each stop?	Your task is to plan a trip around Washington that takes you to at least three different regions. You will need to decide which regions offer activities suited for your family.  In order to have a successful trip, you need to be sure everyone's interests are met in each of the regions you choose to visit during the trip. [Your mom is an avid mountain climber, Your dad is into white water rafting, You absolutely love to go fishing, You all like to attend festivals] What would be the most interesting regions for your family to visit? Will there be activities for all family members to enjoy at each stop? During this project, you will learn how the geography of Washington's different regions helps make certain activities possible, but others not. You'll need to share information with your family in order to persuade them that your summer trip would be a good idea. Your team must decide which regions are best for your family to visit and then create a persuasive brochure and oral presentation that will really make your family want to go.	Decide which regions to visit where there are activities to meet all family members desires.	Publisher brochure and persuasive oral presentation to family.
4th	S.S.-Washington State Geography	How do geography and resources affect the choices people make in Washington State?	Vacation Washington	Alternate Roadtrip Through Washington Investigation using a modified task.	What would be the most interesting regions for your family to visit? Will there be activities for all family members to enjoy at each stop?	Your task is to research all five regions of Washington State and to locate the best place in Washington to enjoy a summer vacation activity.Your family members have many different interests.  [Your mom is an avid mountain climber, Your dad is into white water rafting, You absolutely love to go fishing, You all like to attend festivals] Your team's job will be to gather information on one vacation activity (fishing, festivals, mountain climbing, or rafting).1. Gather information on your assigned activity for all regions of Washington State. 2. Make a recommendation for the best region to visit for this activity. 3. Create a poster, using Microsoft Publisher, that will persuade others to choose this place as part of their summer vacation.4. Posters will be displayed so students can decide which is the best choice for their vacation in Washington. 5. Study the posters from other teams and plan a summer vacation trip that offers activities for all the family. What would be the most interesting regions for your family to visit? Will there be activities for all family members to enjoy at each stop?	What would be the most interesting regions for your family to visit? Will there be activities for all family members to enjoy at each stop?	Publisher poster describing your choice
4th	S.S.-Washington State Geography	How can we plan ahead to safe life and property if Mt. Baker erupts?	Mt. Baker Safety Team	The City of Bellingham lies in the shadow of Mt. Baker, one of five active volcanoes in the state of Washington. How can we plan ahead to protect life and property if Mt. Baker erupts?	How can we use what we know about volcanoes to plan ahead to preserve life and/or property in the event of a Mt. Baker Eruption?	You are now a part of a Mt. Baker Safety Team, preparing a Safety Plan that will preserve life and/or property in the City of Bellingham, Washington, if Mt. Baker should erupt. To do this effectively, you will need to develop some background information about volcanoes. With your class, you will learn about the different types of volcanoes. You will learn which category of volcano describes Mt. Baker, and you will study the eruptions of similar volcanoes. As you continue your research with your Safety Team, you will be learning more about the specific hazards of a volcanic eruption. You and your team will decide which hazard is most likely to affect the citizens of Bellingham, Washington, and you will develop a Safety Plan to protect life and/or property from the effects of this hazard.	Choose the type of hazard most likely to affect  the local area.	Write a safety plan for the one type of hazard you selected
5th	SS-Colonial History	How do geography, culture, and economy affect where people live?	Where Would You Settle?	Students assume a 1600’s occupation and explore three Colonial regions to decide which would be best for their family.	Which region of Colonial America will make the best home for your family?	It’s the year 1650, and your family is moving across the Atlantic Ocean! Search the Colonial Regions in America for a place to work and live. Research the geography, the culture and the economics of three Colonial regions. [New England Colonies, Middle Colonies, Southern Colonies] Write a persuasive letter back home to your family. Give your family reasons why one colonial region will be the best new home in colonial America.	Consider conditions in three Colonial regions and select the one best suited to your assigned personal profile.	Write a persuasive letter back home to your family describing the best home for them in Colonial America.
5th	SS-Ancient Civilizations	How did early civilizations develop and influence modern culture?	Time Traveler: Ancient Americas	Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise take students to an ancient American civilization of their choice.	Which ancient civilization will you decide to visit? Will you live among the people of the Aztec, Mayan, Anasazi, or the Hopewell Mound Builder empires?	The Odyssey, a time-machine, lands just outside your classroom. You and your classmates are taken aboard, and Captain Kirk offers to take you on a journey back in time, to the days of the ancient North American civilizations. He tells you that your Time Machine tickets are only good for the following destinations: the Aztec Empire, the Mayan Empire, the Anasazi Empire, or the Hopewell Mound Builder Empire. He says that you will be living in your chosen empire for several years, before he will be able to bring you back home in the Odyssey. This is an opportunity that you and your classmates can't resist! Now for the big decision: which of the four ancient civilizations will you choose as your home? You and your team will need to investigate each of the four ancient cultures, to come to a thoughtful decision about which one you would prefer as your home.	Study the life and culture of people in three ancient civilizations and choose the one to live in for several years.	PowerPoint presentation to Captain Kirk explaining which civilization you choose to visit.
5th	SS-Exploration of New World		Explorer: Time Machine	A time machine you find at a flea market has only three choices, sailing with Magellan, Columbus or Drake. Who was the best leader?	What are the qualities of a good leader?	Wandering through a flea market one rainy Saturday, you find yourself drawn to a cluttered booth filled with teetering towers of boxes and bins. (excerpted from total scenario)You bring home a time machine. In the garage you polish your time machine and dream of places to visit and events to witness. That is, until you clean a dial called the Selector. There are only three choices, and they sound like a history assignment your fifth grade teacher cooked up. Your choices are:1. Sail with Christopher Columbus, 2. See the world with Ferdinand Magellan, or 3. Journey with Sir Francis Drake. When you rub away the grime from a nearby gauge more hopes evaporate. The gauge registers only enough fuel for one trip. Even one trip triggers your imagination. You imagine yourself on the bow of a fine sailing ship. The sea breeze lifts your hair and fills the snapping sails, a long journey across uncharted oceans...low supplies...restless crews...mutinies... It occurs to you a good commander might be important on long voyage! Grabbing some paper from the recycling bin and the pencil behind your ear, you start scribbling a list of qualities you'd want in a leader.	Which of three major explorers had the leadership qualities you would seek in hiring an explorer?	Write a thesis statement and five paragraph paper to support your decision
5th	Science-Solar System		A Planetary Adventure	Travel to the planet of your choice? Which would be the best to visit? Research and decide.	Which planet would you choose to visit if safety and time were not a problem?	You and your family have won an all-expenses paid trip to one of the nine planets in our solar system! You and your loved ones will travel in style aboard the luxurious Light-Speed Shuttle to the planet of your choice. Guided surface tours, rock hunting treks and moon and ring outings and make this a voyage of a lifetime. Your safety is ensured by expert staff and cutting edge technology.Your family has picked you to research each planet and make the best choice. They are counting on you! Which planet will you visit? Wait! Don't decide yet. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!	Select a planet to visit which has characteristics that would be most interesting or exciting for your family.	PowerPoint presentation
6th	S.S.-Ancient Cultures	How do individuals shape the course of a civilization?	Zeus Successor Sought	Students use the elements of Ancient Greek civilization to guide them in selecting a successor to Zeus.	Which god should Zeus choose for his successor?	It’s time for Zeus to retire and he is ready to pass on the leadership of Greece to one of his relatives. He has narrowed his choice to these three possible successors: Athena, his daughter. Poseidon, his brother. Apollo, his son. Zeus now needs your help to decide which god or goddess is the most qualified to continue the growth of the Greek civilization. This is a serious decision that may determine the path of world history. In your considerations, you will need to evaluate how Greece will change under this new leadership. Greek civilization may change direction and it is up to you to make a candidate recommendation to the Council of the Gods at the Acropolis. Remember that this recommendation should reflect what is best for the continued growth of the Greek.	Which of the possible successors would be best qualified to continue the growth of the Greek Civilization, based upon characteristics of the recommended successors?	Powerpoint Presentation
6th	S.S. - Geography	How are cultures shaped by geography?	Ski to Sea: Around the World	Students study world geography, culture and resources to select a similar location for a Ski To Sea style race.	Which are of the world would be the best location for another Ski-to-Sea type race?	A company called International Event Specialists has come to Bellingham due to the success of the Ski to Sea Race. This company wants to host a race similar to Bellingham’s Ski to Sea Race in a location outside of the United States.  Needing much input, the company has selected you, a team of student representatives, to serve on the Site Selection Committee. Your task is to find the best location, within an assigned region, to host the race with the same legs as Bellingham’s famous Ski to Sea Race. (Some changes may need to be made due to the geography and resources of the region.)  Your team of researchers will make a persuasive PowerPoint presentation in order to convince the CEO’s of International Event Specialists to approve your selected location	Based on research of areas of the world, select the best location out of several that match the characteristics of a good Ski to Sea race.	Persuasive PowerPoint Presentation
6th	S.S. - Ancient cultures	How do historical turning points influence individuals and communities?	Mesopotamia: the Mighty and the Weak	Students uncover the reasons for success and decline in this ancient civilization	Which elements contributed to the success of Mesopotamia? Which elements contributed to the eventual decline of Mesopotamia?	You and your classmates are investigating the rich history of Iraq which was once known as the “Cradle of Civilization” or Mesopotamia.  As you research the this ancient civilization you will try to determine what factors contributed to the success and the decline of Mesopotamia. Your team will study Mesopotamia by organizing the information you learn based on these elements of civilization: Geography, Social Systems,          Political Systems, Culture, Economics, Belief Systems. In your study of Mesopotamia your team will be asked to come to a consensus on these two questions:What was the one most important element that contributed to the success of Mesopotamia? Why?What was the one most important element that contributed to the eventual decline of Mesopotamia? Why? To present your answer to the questions, you will give a persuasive presentation to the class, supported by graphics and giving evidence to support your decision-making process and ideas.	What was the one most important element that contributed to the success of Mesopotamia? Why?What was the one most important element that contributed to the eventual decline of Mesopotamia? Why?	A persuasive presentation to the class, supported by graphics and giving evidence to support decision-making process and ideas.
7th	S.S. - Washington State History	What causes conflicts among people, and how can resolutions be reached?	Kennewick Man: Rights to the Bones	Students present a fair and legal decision to groups claiming rights to the bones of the Kennewick man	Which of several groups have the rights to the bones of Kennewick Man?	Kennewick Man has become the center of quite a legal controversy.  Three main groups are claiming the rights to the bones are The Umatilla Native Americans, The Asatru Folk Assembly,A group of eight archaeologists. You are a member of a team, led by a Supreme Court Justice, that will decide who has legal rights for ownership of the Kennewick Man. Your task is to learn about each group claiming rights to the bones, and then based on law decide who has legal rights to the bones of Kennewick Man. Your team will write a legal brief, a document that explains the issue, the claimants and their viewpoint, the laws that pertain to the issue, and explains why you decided in favor of one claimant, and why you ruled against the other claimants.  Your teacher may require you to give a presentation to the class to explain and support you decision.  You will be notified about this during the project.	Your team will decide, based on the merits of each case presented, which group has the greatest rights to the Kennewick Man's bones.	A Legal brief, explaining why you decided in favor of one claimant, and why you ruled against the other claimants.  Your teacher may require you to give a presentation to the class to explain and support you decision.
7th	S.S. - Washington State Geography	How has the geography of Washington State influenced its history, economics, political interactions and diverse cultures?	Washington's Best - Vacation!	Students research Washington State’s five regions by planning a vacation itinerary.	What would be the most interesting regions for your family to visit? Will there be activities for all family members to enjoy at each stop?	Your task is to plan a trip around Washington that includes at least three different regions. You will need to decide which regions offer activities that meet your family’s interests and needs. Your mom needs to research Washington State History for her teaching job.  She will need to visit museums and historical sites. Your dad needs to find out how different cultural groups live and work together in other regions of the State.  He may need to visit tribal lands and agricultural regions where there is a large population of immigrant families. You absolutely love boating and water sports. You and your friend like to attend baseball games. You all like to hike and camp.  You'll need to share information with your parents in order to persuade them that your itinerary meets everyone’s needs. You must decide which regions are best to visit and then create a persuasive PowerPoint presentation in order to convince your parents that this is the best possible trip for everyone.	Select three different regions of Washington State to visit , which meet the interests of all the people (family members and friend) on your trip.	A persuasive PowerPoint presentation to your parents to convince them this is the best possible trip for everyone
7th	Science - Geology	?	Which Volcano is the Least Risky?	Students investigate three volcanoes to assess the risk of living nearby.	Which is the least risky volcano to live by? How dangerous is it to live within 10 miles of a volcano?	Congratulations, you have just won a government homestead lottery. The United States government will give you a 5 acre plot of land in one of 3 mountain areas: Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker or Kilauea. You want to build a house on the land, and you will need to decide which location is the safest, considering both the likelihood of a volcanic eruption and the type of volcanic eruption.	Select the one volcano you consider the safest to live by.	Persuasive presentation to the class, with rankings and justifications of the site, and maps and pictures.
7th	S.S. - U.S. Foreign Policy	What causes conflicts among people, and how do people attempt to resolve those conflicts?	Path to Peace? Tumult in the Middle East	Students describe a policy the United States should follow in the Middle East, and tell how it will create a solution to the conflict and benefit the people of the world.	What policy should the United States adopt in the Middle East?  Why is it a better policy than the other three choices?	Conflict in the Middle East has continued for hundreds of years despite the efforts of some of the world’s greatest peacemakers.  The time has come to try a new approach! The President has decided that young people may have a new and unique perspective that has never been considered.  He has called each state to gather teams of 7th grade students for a Middle East Think Tank. Consider the four policy perspectives and determine what policy the U.S. should adopt in the Middle East: Police A Rough Neighborhood,    Keep Our Eye on the Prize, Promote Western Values, Break Free of Entanglements. Your charge: Describe your policy and how it will create a solution to the conflict and benefit the people of the world.	Be prepared to convince the President and the other Think Tank teams that your policy for the Middle East is the one that should be adopted.   What policy should the United States adopt in the Middle East?  Why is it a better policy than the other three choices?	Persuasive presentation to the class, either PowerPoint or other method of choice.
8th	S.S. - U.S. - Geography	How do cultural backgrounds and physical environments influence individual perspectives of America?	Location! Location! Location!	Students study geographical regions and search for their personal best place to live within the United States.	Which three locations in the United States meet your preferences for a place to live, and provide gainful employment in your area of interest?	You are in your mid-20’s and have completed your education or training for a career.  Your parents have retired, sold the house and will be traveling the U.S. in an RV.  You are ready to move to a new location in the United States to begin your career and start life independent of your parents.  What do you want from the place where you will live?  Your options are unlimited, however, you must find employment in your field. (Please do not use locations in Washington State.)  Complete the Research Guide and use it to locate 3 communities that fit your preferences.  Then compare these locations to find the one that is your best place to live.  Base your search on the following geographic regions: Coastal Plain. Appalachian Mountains.        Interior Plains. Rocky Mountains. Inter-Mountain. Regions. Pacific Coast & Mountain Regions. Canadian Shield. Hawaii.	Select a place to live in the United States, based on employment and personal interests.	Write an expository paper detailing the reasons for choosing your best location. Make a persuasive presentation to your class.
8th	S.S. - U.S.History, Civil War	How did historical turning points and conflict shape the birth and development of the United States?	Saving the Blue and Gray	Students propose changes to Civil War battlefield practices.	The Civil War of 1861-1865 took more American lives than any other war in history, leaving more than 620,000 dead.  Many soldiers and civilians died from causes other than being shot on the battlefield. What changes could you make that would reduce this loss of life?	Travel back in time to the Civil War and convince leaders that in order to save lives, soldiers’ conditions during war need to be changed.  Investigate the perspectives of four Civil War participants.  Develop 3-5 questions that will help you focus on key elements of each perspective: The report will be presented to Abe Lincoln or Jeff Davis regarding the conditions in the field and in the prisoner of war camps that have resulted in great loss of life.  Your goal is to convince them to improve present practices in at least two areas.	Investigate the perspectives of the soldier, the doctor, the general or the prisoner of war and make a decision about which conditions to improve to best reduce loss of life on the battlefield.	Persuasive presentation to Abe Lincoln or Jeff Davis regarding the conditions that need to be changed to prevent the great loss of life.
9th	S.S. - World Geography	How does Geography shape lives, cultures, and the environment around the world?	Ski to Sea: Around the World	Students study world geography, culture and resources to select a similar location for a Ski To Sea style race.	Which is the best location to host the race with the same legs as Bellingham’s famous Ski to Sea Race?	A company called International Event Specialists has come to Bellingham due to the success of the Ski to Sea Race. This company wants to host a race similar to Bellingham’s Ski to Sea Race in a location outside of the United States. Needing much input, the company has selected you, a team of student representatives, to serve on the Site Selection Committee. Your task is to find the best location to host the race with the same legs as Bellingham’s famous Ski to Sea Race. Some changes may need to be made due to the geography and resources of the region. Your team of researchers will make a persuasive PowerPoint presentation, supported by maps and research data, in order to convince the CEO’s of International Event Specialists to approve your selected location.	Find the best location to host a race with the same legs as Bellingham’s famous Ski to Sea Race.	A persuasive PowerPoint presentation, supported by maps and research data, to convince the CEO’s  to approve your selected location.
9th	S.S. - World Geography	What are the interrelationships among political systems, cultures, environments, and economies?	What Makes a Good Place to Live?	Students study selected continents during the term, and determine what influence the 5 themes of geography have, in deciding which is the best place to live.	On the given continent, which country would be your "best place to live", based on the 5 geographical themes, and your group's personal criteria?	People have many more choices today about where they live in the world. In your lifetime you may have an opportunity to choose a new location for your residence. In this project you will work with a team of classmates to research countries on three different continents. Posing answerable questions and finding answers through research is only part of the task. Your team will also develop a list of factors that influence your personal choices regarding a place to live. In the end, you will present your selection of "The Best Country to Live In" to the other research teams using PowerPoint, a visual aide, a poster or overhead, and a letter home to your parents.	Examining each of the 5 themes of geography, the students make a decision about which countries on the continent are the best places to live.  Decision is made based on criteria established by the group.	PowerPoint, a visual aide, a poster or overhead, and a letter home to your parents.