Native Americans and Their Homes: Forests, Deserts, Plans and Woodlands

Introduction: Who were the first North Americans?  Where did they come from?  What did they look like?  Did they grow beards?  What ornaments did they wear? Who was in charge?  Did they have toilets?  What were smoke signals?  You are about to discover the answers to these questions and more!

Task: Your teacher will assign you and your 3 or 4 teammates to research the lifestyle and customs of a Native American tribe.   Each of you will be assigned the role of an anthropologist, geographer, historian, archaeologist, or a political scientist.  Each team will then share their findings in a class celebration of Native cultures.

Process: You and your teammates will read books and use the web to learn about the tribe that you have been assigned.  First, determine what your job is by reading about your role. After you have completed your research, you need to decide, as a team, how you will present your findings to the class during our celebration of Native cultures.  Your group's presentation must include at least 5 of the following 10 possibilities: 1) oral report 2) diorama 3) artwork 4) music 5) posters 6) maps 7) role-play in costume 8) samples of foods 9) retell and Indian legend 10) homemade artifacts of tools and weapons

Internet Resources: Ancient Civilizations:  Mound Builders and Mound Builders in America Ancient Civilizations:  Ancient Puebloans, Anasazi Heritage, The Anasazi, Anasazi Homes, Anasazi Religion,  Anasazi Indians, Photos of Anasazi Ruins, and Anasazi Life Southwest:  The Pueblo Indians, New Mexico's Pueblo Indians, and Postcards from the Southwest Pacific Northwest:  Kwakiutl Indians, Kwakiutl Art, Kwakiutls, Kwakiutl Woodcarving Great Plains:  Cherokee Indians, The Trail of Tears, History of the Cherokee, More about the Cherokees Northeast Woodlands:  Iroquois Indians, The Iroquois of the Northeast, Iroquois Indians, The Iroquois Confederacy General Information:  Types of Land