Chapter 12: Northern Europe "The Culture of Iceland"

Introduction

In this chapter students studied the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. Geologically, Iceland is the world's youngest country. Sitting on top of a fault in the Atlantic Ocean, this island nation is the result of thousands of years of volcanic eruptions. The people who live here have developed a culture as unique as their island home.

Lesson Description

Students will browse through a site rich in interesting facts about Iceland and its people. They can also view pictures of Iceland in the summer and winter. After answering questions about Iceland they will prepare a guide for an American who might be assigned to an office in Reykjavik.

National Geography Standards:
Standard 4: The geographically informed person knows and understands the physical and human characteristics of places. Standard 10: The geographically informed person knows and understands the characteristics, distribution, and complexity of Earth's cultural mosaics.

Instructional Objectives

1. The student will be able to describe changes in Iceland's culture and settlement patterns.
2. The student will be able to describe interesting facts about Iceland's culture.
3. The student will be able to compare and contrast life in Iceland and the United States, by creating a guide for American citizens stationed in Iceland.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. Towns and villages began to develop around the beginning of the twentieth century, because of the shift from agriculture to an economy based on commercial fishing.
2. Answers will vary. Only 10% of Icelanders have surnames. The rest use their father's first name with the suffix "son" or "dottir."
3. A.D. 874
4. They worshipped the gods of old Icelandic mythology.
5. Guides will vary.

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