American IndiansAmerican IndiansCaroline McIntierCaroline McIntier

April SauerApril SauerRachel Van AttaRachel Van Atta

ED 417 02ED 417 02

American Indian UnitAmerican Indian Unit

Grade: 1stGrade: 1st Lesson: to explore Lesson: to explore

American Indian life American Indian life through literature, through literature, creating rain sticks and creating rain sticks and dream catchers, playing dream catchers, playing a Native American a Native American memory game, and memory game, and taking a field trip to the taking a field trip to the production of “Blue production of “Blue Jacket”Jacket”

ObjectivesObjectives

Students will explore American Indian life Students will explore American Indian life including living conditions, government, including living conditions, government, family life, survival methods, rituals, etc. family life, survival methods, rituals, etc.

Students will experience American Indian Students will experience American Indian rituals by creating rain sticks and dream rituals by creating rain sticks and dream catchers and playing a Native American catchers and playing a Native American memory game.memory game.

Students will explore the life of the famous Students will explore the life of the famous Blue Jacket.Blue Jacket.

Activity 1Activity 1

Read stories Read stories about about

American American Indian Indian

culturescultures

Materials NeededMaterials Needed

Any books related to American IndiansAny books related to American Indians EXAMPLES:EXAMPLES:

Crow ChiefCrow Chief by Paul Goble by Paul Goble

Corn is Maize by AlikiCorn is Maize by Aliki

Turquoise BoyTurquoise Boy by Terri Cohlene by Terri Cohlene

RainplayerRainplayer by David Wiseniewski by David Wiseniewski

Activity 2Activity 2

Create dream catchersCreate dream catchers

Materials NeededMaterials Needed

a bendable twig a bendable twig about 1 foot long about 1 foot long

a few inches of thin a few inches of thin wire wire

some twine some twine beads with large beads with large

holes holes a few feathersa few feathers

Legend of the Dream CatcherLegend of the Dream Catcher The circular dream catchers made from willow

branches, sinew, feathers, and beads also contain objects that have meaning for the sleeper.

They are hung above beds and over the cradles of babies.

They believe that good dreams go through the hole in the center, reaching the sleeper and bad dreams are caught in the webbing

like flies in a spider web.

Activity 3Activity 3

Create rain sticksCreate rain sticks

Materials NeededMaterials Needed

Mailing tube or wrapping paper tubeMailing tube or wrapping paper tube Stickers, decals, paint, markersStickers, decals, paint, markers Hard paper or poster boardHard paper or poster board ScissorsScissors Rice or dried beans, or popcorn kernels Rice or dried beans, or popcorn kernels

Theory behind the “rain stick”Theory behind the “rain stick”

Indians make rain sticks from dried cactus with seeds inside Indians make rain sticks from dried cactus with seeds inside which, when shaken, make the sound of falling rain. which, when shaken, make the sound of falling rain.

For centuries, rain sticks have been used in ceremonial rituals For centuries, rain sticks have been used in ceremonial rituals by various tribes to bring rain to badly needed areas of the by various tribes to bring rain to badly needed areas of the desert. The rain stick was used by these tribes to tell the gods desert. The rain stick was used by these tribes to tell the gods that rain was badly needed. that rain was badly needed.

Activity 4Activity 4

Play Native American game Play Native American game “Pass the Stone”“Pass the Stone”

Materials NeededMaterials Needed

2 small objects of exact size, shape, and 2 small objects of exact size, shape, and texture; but of different colors such as texture; but of different colors such as stones, clay balls, beads, etc (ex: stones or stones, clay balls, beads, etc (ex: stones or beads)beads)

Memory GamesMemory Games

““Pass the Stone” as well as many more Pass the Stone” as well as many more memory games are derived from the American memory games are derived from the American Indian culture.Indian culture.

Activity 5Activity 5

Field trip to the Field trip to the production of production of “Blue Jacket”“Blue Jacket”

Caesar’s Ford Park Caesar’s Ford Park AmpitheatreAmpitheatre

520 South Stringtown Rd.520 South Stringtown Rd.Xenia, OHXenia, OH

Materials NeededMaterials Needed

Appropriate dressAppropriate dress Adult: $17.00, Adult: $17.00,

Student: $16.00Student: $16.00 Student emergency Student emergency

formsforms Permission slipsPermission slips

Blue Jacket Education ProgramsBlue Jacket Education Programs

Mission StatementMission Statement First Frontier, Inc. is one of the principle, First Frontier, Inc. is one of the principle,

cultural, resources of Southern Ohio, as well cultural, resources of Southern Ohio, as well as a leader in Outdoor Drama and is nationally as a leader in Outdoor Drama and is nationally recognized for its production. It is the largest recognized for its production. It is the largest and sole professional theatre company in and sole professional theatre company in Greene County. Greene County.

Mission Statement cont.Mission Statement cont.

The mission of First Frontier, Inc. is to create The mission of First Frontier, Inc. is to create extraordinary theatre productions, educational extraordinary theatre productions, educational outreach, and community programs which outreach, and community programs which challenge, entertain and stimulate the challenge, entertain and stimulate the imagination of audiences. First Frontier, Inc. imagination of audiences. First Frontier, Inc. is committed to producing affordable works of is committed to producing affordable works of theatre that enhance and reflect the quality of theatre that enhance and reflect the quality of life in our community: past, present, and life in our community: past, present, and future.future.

The Legend of Blue JacketThe Legend of Blue Jacket

Blue Jacket was born in 1745.Blue Jacket was born in 1745. He was a Virginia white boy captured by the He was a Virginia white boy captured by the

Shawnee during the Revolutionary War.Shawnee during the Revolutionary War. The Indians were so impressed with him that The Indians were so impressed with him that

they made him chief. they made him chief. His life prior to fifty is open for discussion.His life prior to fifty is open for discussion. It is known that he was mentored by a chief It is known that he was mentored by a chief

named Little Turtle. named Little Turtle.

The Legend of Blue Jacket cont.The Legend of Blue Jacket cont.

Blue Jacket was later chosen as the new chief, Blue Jacket was later chosen as the new chief, and lead them in the Battle of Fallen Timbers.and lead them in the Battle of Fallen Timbers.

The Battle of Fallen Timbers ended in defeat The Battle of Fallen Timbers ended in defeat and the signing of the Treaty of Greene Ville.and the signing of the Treaty of Greene Ville.

HyperlinksHyperlinks

Activity 1: Native American BooksActivity 1: Native American Books Activity 2: Dream Catcher - Enchanted Activity 2: Dream Catcher - Enchanted

Learning SoftwareLearning Software Activity 3: rainstick: Information and Much Activity 3: rainstick: Information and Much

More from Answers.comMore from Answers.com Activity 4: Native American Games | Activity 4: Native American Games |

Scholastic.comScholastic.com Activity 5: Blue Jacket DramaActivity 5: Blue Jacket Drama