Home Other BIG Questions for Students
* What does it mean to be from the Ozarks?
* What does it live Taney County, Missouri?
* What does it mean to live in your community?
* What can you learn about your community?
* How is living in your community different from living in other Ozark communities?
* How is living in the Ozarks different from living in other parts of Missouri?
* Which people in my community could you talk to for more information about Taney County’s past?
* Who are some Taney County or Ozarks writers who might correspond with you about your writing, or who might tell you about their writing?
* What past uniquely Ozarkian experiences have you had that you could write about or relate to others?
* What aspects of the Ozarks culture interests you the most?
* How is the Ozarks changing and why is it changing?
* What can you do to benefit others living in your community or region?
Where do you live?
How would you answer that question?
Would it depend upon who asked the question?
* List as many descriptions as you can think of to tell where you live. Compare your list with classmates. Use your descriptions in the exposition of an original short story.*Explore the concepts of culture and cultural diversity of past or present groups in the local community. Communicate the results of your research through a combination of visual arts projects.
Some pre-task questions and project ideas are suggested below.
What do all cultures have in common?
What are your cultural values and those of your friends?
What cultural values do you have that are different from members of your family?
Have your values changed since you were younger?
What changes culture?
What spreads culture?
What Native American cultures called this area home before the Louisiana Purchase?
What European cultures migrated to this region?
How did these earlier cultures compare?
How do others view, or mentally imagine, the present culture of this area?
Do those images reflect diversity of culture or are they stereotypes?
What forces create those mental images?
How and why are cultural traits preserved? Should they be preserved?
| Visual Arts Projects |
| Human Statues |
| Political Cartoons |
| Comic Book |
| Painting |
| Photography |
| Multimedia / Slides |
| Storytelling |
Miscellaneous Questions to Stir Discussion and Debate
* What attracted the first white settlers to the Ozarks? What attracts people today?
* How did the Great Depression affect European communities? How did it affect Taney County, Missouri?
* What positive and negative influences did the White River have upon nearby communities? What significant changes occurred after damming the White River? What would happen if any one of the dams were damaged? Which one would cause the least amount of problems?
* What is being done to insure the quality of water in the area lakes?
* How has technology affected the farming industry in this area? How has technology affected the tourism industry? What career options are available in either of these industries? What impact does government have upon each?
* What would be the extent of change in this area if gambling was approved?
* How would you describe Taney County in terms of quality of life?
Power, Authority, and Governance
Performance Task
SS5; G3.5; G1.9; G2.1
Pre-task Questions
What does it mean to be governed? What different types or forms of government exercise power or authority over you? What is the purpose of that authority? How does each form of government gain authority or power? Who or what regulates the amount of power or authority of governing agents?
Task
Work with a partner to identify three different forms of government that have some degree of authority over both of you. Determine general characteristics common to all three governing agents. Create a matrix in which you compare those governing forms in terms of similarities and differences or variances. Be sure each partner has a copy of the matrix. Next, working on your own, add two more governing forms to the matrix. You are to hand in your matrix, plus one other product of your choice that demonstrates what you have learned about the concept of government. You will give an oral defense of your ideas as part of the evaluation process.
Performance Task
Volunteer groups show civic ideals in action. Nearly every community has volunteer groups that strive to improve some aspect of the community. Some groups are large and nationally affiliated. Other groups are small and localized. The Yellow Pages in your telephone book should have a listing of volunteer groups in your area. Using that resource and others identify five different volunteer groups that serve the community near you. Create a pamphlet in which you give the name and service provided for each group you identified. Include contact information.
What other ways do people show civic ideals?
From time to time, the local newspaper asks citizens to nominate someone in the community for a "Good Citizen Award." How would you determine whether someone is a good citizen? Write a description of a good citizen including both personal traits and actions. After you have determined the criteria, think of someone you would nominate for the "Good Citizen Award." Write a letter to the newspaper editor in which you explain why your nominee should receive the award.