Introduction
This lesson will engage students as they learn about the Indigenous Arctic peoples who spread across the northernmost parts of the world. In an evocative, 12 minute video called In the Footsteps of the Inuit, Paninnguaq Lind-Jensen, a native Greenland woman dedicated to reviving Inuit cultural practices, helps students compare the older, traditional ways of life with modern Inuit life today, where loss of culture has posed serious challenges for the people. Small group research and class presentations can extend this knowledge.
In the Footsteps of the Inuit is scaffolded for students from middle school to high school. Students will compare traditional and modern Inuit culture and daily life and answer critical thinking questions that match their grade level. Our immersive 3D game “Race to the North Pole!” features traditional Inuit village scenes with many of the voices heard being descendants of the original Arctic explorers who went to the North Pole in 1909.
An accurate and detailed VR* Walkabout scene will immerse classes in the fascinating, ice-bound world of an Arctic Inuit village and the land and sea animals that surround them. A creative VR* game called Build-A-Scene and an Explordle word game can be played for enrichment, while an extension activity allows for small-group research and class presentations on Inuit culture.
*PCVR
In the Footsteps of The Inuit has the following lessons and activities:
- “In the Footsteps of the Inuit” video (12 minutes)
- Graphic Organizer: Comparing Traditional and Modern Inuit Culture
- Teacher’s Key
- Critical Thinking Questions document
- Immersive 3D game: Race to the North Pole!
- Explordle - A journey-specific word game
- The Inuit VR Walkabout and accompanying Leveled Questions
- VR Game : Build-A-Scene
*A note about using VR headsets: Students can take turns on the headset/s while other students are working on different modules.
In the Footsteps of The Inuit should be used when your curriculum focuses on...
- • Arctic Geography
- • Peoples and Cultures of North America
- • Ethnic Studies
Experience the Northern Lights as you work alone or in teams to build your own Arctic scene with a wide choice of amazing artifacts, animals and animations!