Great Beginnings

The Native American Experience

Tamara Gray, Courtney Norgren and Daniel

KilpatrickUniversity of West Florida

SummaryWith a focus on addressing the Second Grade Sunshine State Standards, we will be integrating Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Math. Additionally, the arts will be incorporated as students explore the culture of the first inhabitants of North America. This unit was created to teach second grade students how the Native American culture developed as an adaptation to the environment. Students will study the climate, soil, vegetation, animals, and land forms of six different geographic regions: Pacific Northwest, Great Basin, Northeastern Woodlands, Southwest, Great Plains, and Southeastern Woodlands. They will explore the different types of shelter, clothing, food, music, art, and literature characteristic of the tribes that inhabited these different geographic regions. By implementing this unit in April, we will be linking the unit with a local Native American festival and the concurrent celebration of Earth Day. This should help impress upon students the idea that everything we have comes from what has been provided by the Earth. Children will come to understand this, developing a sense of responsibility for ensuring the preservation of the Earth and its resources. Instruction will be conducted through various independent, group, and hands-on activities. This unit accommodates all types of learning styles, and the various independent activities can easily be modified to accommodate learners with differing abilities or language proficiencies.

Major ConceptsMath• Linear

Measurement• Measures of

Volume• Unit

Conversions • Patterns• Repeated

Addition

Language Arts• Pre-Writing, Editing,

Presenting• Authors Theme &

Development• Reading Authentic

Literature• Elements of Myths &

Legends

Social Studies• Cardinal & Intermediate

Directions• Limited Environmental

Resources• Native American Cultures &

Practices• Meeting Basic Needs for

Survival

Science• Basic Needs for

Survival• Seasonal Weather

Patterns• The Sun, Evaporation,

and the Water Cycle• Soil, Erosion, and

Land Formations

Southeastern

Woodlands

Culture Chart &

Pinch Pot

Cherokee

Hunting &

Weapons

Pattern Beaded Necklac

e

Cherokee

Legend

Great Basin

Culture Chart &

Pow Wow Drum

Soil Identificat

ion

Weaving Activity

Karuk Tale

Northeastern

Woodlands

Culture Chart & Tribal Mask

Iroquois Farming Dream

Cather Measurem

ent

Ojibwe vs. Lakota Dream Catcher

Tales

Pacific Northw

est

Culture Chart & Totem Ploe

Geographic

Collages Drum Pattern

Taino Myth

South WestCulture

Chart & Paint Pinch

Pot

Canyon Formation

Pan Pipe Activity

Wasco Myth

Great PlainsCulture

Chart & Headdress

Buffalo resources

& conservati

on

Teepee Measurem

ent

Blackfoot Myth

Inter-thematic Connections Web

Learning Goals Students will discover how humans’ dependence on the

environment for survival impacted the development of Native American cultures.

Students will recognize that Native Americans were the first inhabitants in North America and that they lived off of the land.

Students will compare the cultures of Native American tribes from various geographic regions of the United States and recognize how the different living environments impacted the types of shelter, clothing, food, music, and art that tribes had.

Students will identify the basic needs for human survival and how different environments can meet these needs throughout the changing seasons.

Students will realize that the Native Americans were moral people who had great respect for all living things and exemplified this through the telling of moral legends.

Students will understand that the Native Americans were strong observers of nature who sought to explain events which they could not understand through the telling of origin myths.

Students will discover the difference between linear measurement and the measurement of volume as they practice using a variety of measuring instruments.

Students will recognize the difference between numeric and non-numeric patterns, as they are applied to several of the Native American arts.

Student Learning Outcomes

Social Studies Given a segmented map of the united states, a compass rose, and a list of regions; students will independently identify & label all six geographic regions of the united states with 100% accuracy. (NE Woodlands, SE Woodlands, Great Plains, South West, Great Basin, NW Pacific) – Knowledge: (SS.2.G.1.1)

After discussing the climate of each geographic region, students will give examples of plants and animals that the Native Americans were likely to use as a food source and predict how these might change throughout the different seasons. – Comprehension: (SS.2.E.1.1)

As the teacher presents information on the interactive whiteboard, students will chart details about Native American tribe’s clothing, housing, food sources, and forms of transportation in each of the six geographic sections of the United States with 84% accuracy or 20/24. – Application: (SS.2.A.2.2)

Given photographs of six different typical Native American dwellings, students will first recognize specific natural materials which make up each kind of shelter. Then based on this information the students will work cooperatively in small groups to classify each dwelling as belonging to the inhabitants of one of the six geographic regions of the United States. – Analysis: (SS.2.A.2.2) & (SS.2.E.1.1)

Given pictures and appropriate materials, small cooperative work groups will design & construct an accurate model of a Native American shelter from one of the six geographic regions of the United States. (Hogan, Teepee, Cedar Plank House, Pueblo, Chickee, Longhouse, or Wickiup) within reasonable approximations. – Synthesis: (SS.2.A.2.2)

Student Learning Outcomes

Language Arts After reading and discussing several Native American myths and legends as a class, the student will list common characteristics of Native American myths and legends, with the assistance of his cooperative learning group with 80% accuracy or 4/5 correct characteristics. Characteristics Include: Set in the past; moral to be learned; narrative format; explains creation or origin; speaking parts for spirits or animals. (reasonable approximations will be accepted) – Knowledge: (LA.2.2.1.1 & LA.2.1.6.1)

After reading and discussing several Native American myths and legends as a class, the student will use their class notes (chart) to independently classify eight pieces of Native American Literature as Origin Mythology or a Moral Legend based on their knowledge of how they are alike and different, with 87% accuracy or 7/8 correct classifications. – Comprehension: (LA.2.2.1.1)

After reading and discussing each (8) Native American myth or legend as a class, the student will chart the characteristics (5) present in each piece of Native American Literature, with the support of his cooperative learning group with 88% accuracy (35/40 characteristics correctly charted). – Application: (LA.2.2.1.1)

The student will use the content of his own myth or legend and a poster rubric to illustrate his story in the form of a poster with 90% accuracy. – Analysis: (LA.2.3.5.1)

After reading and discussing several Native American myths and legends as a class, the student will independently compose his own original legend or myth which incorporates the 5 key characteristics of Native American Origin Mythology and Moral Legends with 80% accuracy. (4/5 characteristics present) – Synthesis: (LA.2.3.5.1)

The student, with the assistance of a teacher created rubric, will evaluate the legend of a peer, based on the inclusion of 5 known characteristics with 100% accuracy. – Evaluation: (LA.2.3.3.4)

Student Learning Outcomes

Mathematics Given colored pasta and string, students will plan and write about pattern used to create pasta necklace. Students will apply pattern ideas from their paper to create a patterned pasta necklace with a 90% accuracy rate. (MA.2.A.4.3)

Given a numeric pattern chart and a drum, students will compose a tribal rhythm to be played on the powwow drum for 1 minute. (MA.2.A.4.3)

Given measuring tools, ingredients, recipes, and cooking supplies, students will cook Native American food for Culminating Feast- Students will measure out ingredients using cooking instructions and conversation sheet to produce a Native American food. (MA.2.G.5.1)

Given a conversion sheet, students will convert and measure (cups, pints, quarts, and gallons) on worksheet with 90% accuracy. (MA.2.G.5.4)

Given a ruler and straws, students will measure straws to create a tee-pee with 100% accuracy. (MA.1.A.1.3)

Given multicolored paper strips, students will plan out a non-numerical pattern and create woven mat with a 90% accuracy rate. (MA.2.A.4.3)

Given a ruler, string, scissors and verbal directions, the students will be able to independently measure and cut strings to various specified lengths, to use in creating a dream catcher with 80% accuracy. (MA.1.A.1.3)

Given a metric ruler, 8 straws, scissors and written directions, the student will be able to independently measure and cut straws to various specified lengths, to use in creating a pan pipe with 80% accuracy. (MA.1.A.1.3)

Given a guided practice worksheet and pencil, students will solve word problems through repeated addition with 80% accuracy. (MA.2.A.6.1)

Given class data represented on a bar graph on the Smartboard, students will analyze and draw upon patterns within the data. (MA.2.A.4.3) 

Given measuring tools, water, and Gallon Man conversion sheet, students will convert different units of measurement with 80% accuracy. (MA.2.G.5.4)

Given measuring tools, water, Gallon Man, guided, and independent practice, students will convert different units of measurement with 90% accuracy. (MA.2 .G.5.4)

Student Learning Outcomes

Science When presented with soil samples characteristic of those found in various geographical

regions inhabited by Native American tribes, the student will classify the soil types based on color, texture (size of particles), the ability to retain water, and the ability to support plant growth. Given a visual guide to reference, the student will accomplish this with 100% accuracy. - Comprehension: (SC.2.E.6.3)

After learning about the means (e.g. folklore) by which Native Americans explained natural phenomena, the student, as a member of a small group, will choose a natural phenomenon (e.g. rain, wind, rainbows, tornadoes, lightning, thunder, drought) to research. The student will work with group members to develop an explanation for this phenomenon and present this explanation to classmates. Based on direct observation and teacher-created checklist, the student will contribute to the development of this explanation during 80% of group activities. - Synthesis: (SC.2.N.1.1)

After learning about festivals and ceremonies held by Native Americans from different geographical regions and the folklore used by these tribes to describe cyclical patterns in nature (e.g. sunset/sunrise, seasons), the student will describe these patterns with 100% accuracy.-Knowledge: (SC.2.E.7.1)

While learning about Native American's reliance on and respect for nature and its inhabitants, the student will, with 80% accuracy, compare the needs of Native Americans (humans) and the plants and animals in their environments. -Analysis: (SC.2.L.17.1)

The student will, with 80% accuracy, identify different Native American tribe's shelters and describe how these shelters were adaptations to the climates and geographical regions in which they lived. -Comprehension: (SC.2.L.17.2)

The student will, with 80% accuracy, identify the means by which different Native American tribes fed themselves (e.g. hunting, fishing, agriculture) and describe how these means were developed as adaptations to different environments. - Comprehension: (SC.2.L.17.2)

The student will measure and record temperature changes occurring over time. With 100% accuracy, the student will identify the Sun‘s role in these temperature changes - Comprehension: (SC.2.E.7.2)

After investigating and observing the evaporation of water from an open container, the student, with 100% accuracy, will explain why water in an open container disappears while water in a closed container does not - Comprehension: (SC.E.7.3)

Sunshine State Standards

Social Studies SS.2.A.2.1 -Recognize that Native Americans were the first inhabitants in North America.

SS.2.A.2.Pa.a -Recognize a characteristic of early Native Americans.

SS.2.A.2.2 -Compare the cultures of Native American tribes from various geographic regions of the United States.

SS.2.A.2.In.b -Identify practices of Native American tribes, such as clothing, housing, and food.

SS.2.E.1.1- Recognize that people make choices because of limited resources.

SS.2.G.1.1 -Use different types of maps (political, physical, and thematic) to identify map elements. (Examples: coordinate grids, title, compass rose, cardinal and intermediate directions, key/legend with symbols and scale)

Sunshine State Standards

Language Arts LA.2.1.6.1 The student will use new vocabulary that is introduced

and taught directly. LA.2.1.6.2 The student will listen to, read, and discuss familiar and

conceptually challenging text. LA.2.1.7.4 The student will identify cause-and-effect relationships

in text. LA.2.2.1.1 The student will identify the basic characteristics of a

variety of literary forms (e.g., fables, stories, fiction, poetry, folktales, legends) and how they are alike and different.

LA.2.3.1.1 The student will prewrite by generating ideas from multiple sources (e.g., text, brainstorming, webbing, drawing, writer's notebook, group discussion, other activities)

LA.2.3.2.2 The student will draft writing by organizing details into a logical sequence that has a clear beginning, middle and end and an awareness of audience.

LA.2.3.3.3 The student will revise by creating interest by incorporating descriptive words and supporting details, such as sensory language.

LA.2.3.3.4 The student will revise by evaluating the composition, with the assistance of teacher, peer, checklist, or rubric.

LA.2.3.5.1The student will produce, illustrate, and share a variety of compositions.

Sunshine State Standards

Mathematics MA.2.G.5.4-Measure weight/mass and capacity/volume of objects.

Include the use of the appropriate unit of measure and their abbreviations including cups, pints, quarts, gallons, ounces (oz), pounds (lbs), grams (g), kilograms (kg), milliliters (mL) and liters (L).

MA.2.A.4.-Generalize numeric and non-numeric patterns using words and tables.

MA.2.G.5.1-Use geometric models to demonstrate the relationships between wholes and their parts as a foundation to fractions.

MA.1.A.1.3-Benchmark Description: Create and use increasingly sophisticated strategies, and use properties such as Commutative, Associative and Additive Identity, to add whole numbers.

MA.2.A.6.1-Solve problems that involve repeated addition.

Sunshine State Standards

Science SC.2.L.17.1 - Compare and contrast the basic needs that all living

things, including humans, have for survival. SC.2.L.17.2 - Recognize and explain that living things are found

all over Earth, but each is only able to live in habitats that meet its basic needs.

SC.2.E.7.1 - Compare and describe changing patterns in nature that repeat themselves, such as weather conditions including temperature and precipitation, day to day and season to season.

SC.2.N.1.1 - Raise questions about the natural world, investigate them in teams through free exploration and systematic observations, and generate appropriate explanations based on those explorations.

SC.2.E.7.2 - Investigate by observing and measuring, that the Sun's energy directly and indirectly warms the water, land, and air.

SC.2.E.7.3 - Investigate, observe, and describe how water left in an open container disappears (evaporates), but water in a closed container does not disappear (evaporate).

SC.2.E.6.3 - Classify soil types based on color, texture (size of particles), the ability to retain water, and the ability to support growth of plants.

Daily Schedule 8:00-8:20 Announcements, Pledge, National Anthem &

Lunch Selection 8:20-9:50 Mathematics (90 minute block) 9:50-9:55 Rest Room Break 9:55-10:50 Specials 10:50-11:50 Language Arts (60 minute block) 11:50-11:55 Rest Room Break 11:55-12:20 Lunch 12:20-12:50 Language Arts (30 minute block) 12:50-1:10 Brain Break (recess) 1:10-1:15 Rest Room Break 1:15-1:45 Social Studies 1:45-2:15 Science 2:15-2:30 Announcements & Pack-Up 2:30 Dismissal

Weekly Schedule - 1SUBJECT MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

Language ArtsKWL Chart about Myths and legends

Define characteristics of Myths vs. LegendsCompare & Contrast with a Venn Diagram

How the Sea Began; A Taino Tale

Origins Myth about the Sea

Identify Myth Elements

Fire Race; A Karuk TaleMoral legend of respect and appreciation for all living things small & largeIdentify Legend Elements

The Hidden One; Native American PlayAlgonquian Moral legend of inner beauty & brave spirit

Identify Legend Elements

The First Strawberries; A Cherokee StoryMoral legend of friendship and respectIdentify Legend Elements

Social StudiesUse Compasses to determine locations of special rooms in the school. Use Mnemonic devise for compass rose.

4 corners (N,E,S&W) gameDirect instruction on Cardinal Directions & Animals on the farm game

Introduce & Practice Intermediate Directions.Label 6 Geographic Regions on a map of North America

Examine Native American artifacts and make predictions about regional origins& about natural food sources

Tribes of the Southeastern WoodlandsMake a Pinch Pot

Mathematics Introduction of measurement tools- gallons, quarts, pints, and cups. Whole group activity using water and measuring tools

Guided practice activity with measurement tools

Independent practice with measurement tools

Sand Painting measurement conversion activity

Pasta necklace pattern activity

ScienceImportance of the sun and the energy it provides(temperature activity)Began evaporation experiment (predictions)

Complete evaporation experimentIntroduction to the water cycle

Seasonal climates of 6 geographic regions (emphasis on precipitation), regions’ variations in daily temperatures (e.g. desert vs. coastal),

Basic needs of animals (including humans)Activity: meeting one’s needs in different environments (e.g. arctic, desert island, rainforest)

Cherokee hunting techniques and weapon manufacturingTracking activity

Weekly Schedule - 2SUBJECT MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

Language ArtsHow the Horses Came Into The World; A Blackfoot TaleOrigin myth about the introduction of horses to the plainsIdentify Myth Elements

Two Legends of the Dream Catcher; Ojibwe vs. Lakota Tribes versionsComplete Venn Diagram comparing the versionsList student fears in bad dreams

Coyote Places the Stars; A Wasco TaleOrigin myth about the constellations and why coyotes howl Identify Myth Elements

Complete graphic organizer to plan all elements of an original Myth or Legend

Chehaw Native American FestivalField Trip

Social StudiesTribes of the Great Plains RegionNative American Culture ChartMake a feather head dress

Tribes of the Northeastern woodlandsNative American Culture ChartMake a tribal mask

Tribes of the SouthwestNative American Culture ChartPaint pinch pot

Tribes of the Great BasinNative American Culture ChartMake A Pow-Wow Drum

Chehaw Native American FestivalField Trip

Mathematics

Short review of measuring with a rulerTeepee Measurement Activity

Review of how to measure using a rulerDream catcher measurement activity & graph student fears

Measure out straws to make a pan pipe

Review of patternsMat Weaving Pattern Activity

Chehaw Native American FestivalField Trip

SciencePlains tribes’ reliance on the buffalo (use of all parts of the buffalo), emphasis on conservation and responsible use of resources

Iroquois farming, Needs of plants (water, sunlight, nutrients) as they relate to needs of humans and other animals

Erosion activityFormation of canyons (cliff dwelling Anasazi)

Soil texture activity (identification of sand, silt, clay, and loam)

Chehaw Native American FestivalField Trip

Weekly Schedule - 3SUBJECT MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

Language ArtsUse Graphic Organizer to write rough draft of original Myth or LegendInclude descriptive language

Review use of scoring rubric Peer review of student’s original Myth or LegendEdit for spelling, capitalization, and grammar

Final Draft of student’s original Myth or Legend

Self-Evaluation Rubric

Illustration for student’s original Myth or Legend

Follow Poster Rubric

Culminating Activity:Presentation of Original Myths and LegendsWatch Dream Keeper Video Excerpts

Social StudiesTribes of the Pacific NorthwestNative American Culture ChartMake Totem Pole

Classification of Native American DwellingsAdd Shelter Info. To Native American Culture Chart

Group construction of one type of Native American shelter

Complete Shelter Models Then complete a circle map about the region where this shelter is used & its people

Culminating Activity:Model Shelters & Regional Circle Maps Displayed

Mathematics

Explain numeric pattern chartPow-Wow Drum Pattern Activity

Introduce repeated addition. Students will solve word problems that pertain Native American content through repeated addition.

Find patterns of results from bar graph after each student decides which Native Americans’ region he or she enjoyed the most.

Review measurement skills and repeated addition for doubling recipesfor cooking activities

Culminating Activity:Native American Foods Feast & use of patterned woven mats & necklaces

ScienceGroup collages of 6 geographic regions’ flora, wildlife, landmarks, characteristic terrain, etc.

Complete group collages (w/ additional materials brought from home)

Choose natural phenomena to research in small groups (trip to library and/or computer lab to begin research)

Present scientific explanations of natural phenomena to class (supplemented by teacher)

Culminating Activity:Display of geographic region collage & soil samples

Media List Books Overhead Projector Smart board Computers

Internet Access Pre-selected Websites

Videos Computer Video Clips DVDs

Lesson Plan Overview Social Studies

Week one-Instruction commences with a focus on map skills. This is in an effort to develop prerequisite skills the students will need to apply, while investigating the different geographical areas of North America. The inquiry then begins by making informed predictions about the origins of several artifacts and possible food supplies for the inhabitants of different geographical areas.

Week two-Instruction will systematically work its way across the country. Lessons focus on discussing and recording information about the cultures of Native American tribes on a “Culture Chart”. Each lesson also incorporates a tribe specific art for the children to actively experience and replicate. The week culminates with a field trip to the Chehaw Native American Festival, in which students will vicariously experience local Native American customs.

Week three-Instruction is student centered, as cooperative groups analyze photos of Native American dwellings and then classify them based on the materials used for construction. The shelter information will be added to the “Culture Chart” and then groups will select a geographic region to specialize in. The group will create a circle map about their region and build a model of one type of Native American shelter used in that region. The week will end with the culminating activity day!

Lesson Plan Overview Language Arts

Week one-Instruction commences with each cooperative learning group starting a K-W-L chart about Myths and Legends. As a class we will define characteristics of both literary forms and complete a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting them. This information will then be applied to daily lessons, as each day the class reads authentic Native American tales from specific tribes. Then in “Literature Circles,” students will identify characteristics of the tales and then categorize the daily literature selection as either a Myth or a Legend. The author’s theme and development as well as cause and effect relationships within the tales will be discussed. Students will be required to identify descriptive language and new vocabulary words.

Week two-Continues the investigation and analysis of Native American tales for three more days. The class is then presented with a rubric and a graphic organizer for creating an original myth or legend. Students will then complete the pre-writing activity as they brainstorm ideas and record them in a web.

Week three-Instruction focuses on all stages of the writing process. Students write a draft from the web completed during week two. The draft is then edited to include descriptive words and sensory language. A peer review is conducted using the rubric. The teacher corrects spelling errors. A final draft is written and then the student draws an illustration for the original composition. Student presentations will be part of the culminating activity.

Lesson Plan Overview Math

Week One- The class will investigate different measurement tools. They will receive a conversion sheet with an illustration of Gallon Man. This will provide a visual model for understanding how the different measures of volume are interrelated. Guided practice will be provided in the form of a hands-on group activity. Students will convert water from one measurement tool into another. The class will practice this skill through an independent worksheet. Students will then have an opportunity to convert water from one tool into another independently. The students will apply this knowledge on a Native American Sand Painting Worksheet. The class will be introduced to non-numeric patterns and will produce a patterned pasta necklace.

Week Two- Students will be provided with instruction in the use of both a standard and metric ruler. They will measure straws to produce a Native American tee-pee and pan pipe. They will also measure string to create their dream-catchers. A review of how to produce a non-numeric pattern will be conducted as students make woven mats. Class’s fears will be developed into a bar graph, which we will then be analyzed by the class for any apparent patterns.

Week Three- Numeric patterns will be presented to the students. They will have an opportunity to play a tribal rhythm on a pow-wow drum. Repeated addition will be introduced and practiced on a Native American repeated addition worksheet. Students will select their favorite Native American region that we studied. The information will be presented on the Smartboard. Patterns and trends of the data will be discussed. Students will prepare foods that are popular in the Native American culture, such as: beef and corn stew, Indian popcorn, popped wild rice, and fried bread for the feast the following day.

Lesson Plan Overview Science

Week One – The class will be introduced to the Sun’s role in providing all living things with energy. Students will measure air and water temperature before and after exposure to sunlight. This will coincide with the beginning of an evaporation experiment, which will conclude with an introduction to the water cycle. Students will begin entries in their learning journals before learning about the seasonal climates of six geographic regions. Students will create a captioned picture book, illustrating each of these regions. Human (and animal) survival needs will then be introduced, and groups of students will be assigned different environments. They will imagine themselves being transported to these environments and will be assigned the task of determining what they will need to find and do to survive. Cherokee hunting techniques will then be introduced, and the class will participate in an outdoor tracking activity.

Week Two – Students will learn about the Plains tribes’ (e.g. Sioux) reliance on the buffalo and these peoples’ many uses for all parts of the buffalo. They will develop personal conservation plans and document these plans in their learning journals. Iroquois farming techniques will then be introduced, followed by an “If I were a plant…” entry in learning journals. Coinciding with a Social Studies lesson on the tribes of the Southwest, the process of erosion, which created the canyons for the cliff-dwelling Anasazi, will be introduced. This will be followed by a lesson on soil properties, including a soil texture activity, during which students will identify (by feel) soils as clays, silts, sands, or loams.

Week Three – Each of six groups will create a collage containing images of flora, wildlife, land formations, and characteristic terrain of one of the six geographic regions. Then, in small groups, students will choose a natural phenomena to research. This will include trips to the library and/or computer lab to begin research. Groups will choose a representative to present findings to the class. Finally, during the culminating activity, groups will present and display geographic region collages.

Assessments Social Studies

Explore Native American artifacts and predict which region each is from

Identify and label geographic regions on a blank map Food source predictions Native American Culture Chart Classification of Native American Dwellings Construction of Native American Dwelling Model

Language Arts Class K-W-L Chart about myths and legends Characteristics of Myths & Legends Group List Independent Classification of Literature as Myth or Legend Group chart of specific myths & legends characteristic Independent illustration of original myth or legend Independent composition of original myth or legend Independent use of rubric to complete peer review of original

myth or legend

Assessments Mathematics

Conversation worksheet Teacher observation and checklist during guided practice

during measurement lesson Independent questions while using Gallon Man Teacher observation of student using patterns on drum Checklist of class participation in graphing activity Independent writing plans for pattern design for woven mat

and past necklace Teacher observation of the final result of woven mat and pasta

necklace Teacher will use a checklist and observe student making their

tee-pee and pan pipe Word problem worksheet for repeated addition Teacher will use a checklist and observe student making their

dream-catchers

Assessments Science

Checklist of individuals’ participation (as members of group) in developing explanation for natural phenomenon

Soil classification chart 6 geographic regions picture book (to be written and

illustrated by student) Entries in learning journal

Cyclical patterns in nature Sun’s role in temperature changes Water cycle and process of evaporation Personal conservation plan How one Native American tribe (to be chosen by student) depended on its

environment for food and shelter How to care for a plant

Checklist of individuals’ participation (as members of group) in developing geographical region collage

Desert island (survival) charts, stories, and illustrations

Culminating Activity Part I

The Great Beginnings Thematic Unit will have an equally great ending. The culminating activity will be a day-long celebration of Native American culture. To begin the morning, the students will be given a brief overview of Native American names and their meanings. They will then select Native American names for themselves and add them to their head dresses. Students will gather for brief presentations of students’ original myths and legends. Each presenter will display his or her poster, name the main characters, and describe their theme. At 9:15, the students will then have their Native American feast in the cafeteria. Class mothers will be invited to help reheat the previously prepared foods, serve the foods, and help with clean up. The students will wear their necklaces and head dresses as they are seated around the Native American shelter models, and they will use their woven mats as placemats. Students’ geographic area collages and circle maps will be displayed on the walls, and Native American music will be played during the feast. During Specials time, all second grade classes will report to the field for P.E. Since many Native American disputes were settled by playing ball games similar to field hokey, lacrosse, and soccer, the second grade classes will play soccer matches against one another.

Culminating Activity Part II

During the Language Arts block, students will rotate through four classrooms. The students will learn to play a different game in each of the four classes. They will learn how to play “hiding the disks,” “the hand game,” “the snake stick game,” and “the bowl game.” The students will discuss how the skills used in each of these games would have been required for the survival of the Native American people and how practicing skills through games would be much like school for Native American youth. During recess, students will pick up the school grounds as a way to practice respecting and preserving Earth’s resources for future generations. After recess, the students will watch three excerpts from the movie Dream Keeper, in which an elderly grandfather tells his grandson mysterious Native American tales of love, friendship, and magic. After each tale, students will take five minutes to write down whether they thought the tale was a myth or a legend and one sentence explaining their decision. At the end of the day, students will have a final opportunity to visit the “trading post” to exchange earned Wampum (tokens), for small rewards, such as pencils, stickers, and erasers.

Student Work Samples

Student Work Samples

Student Literature References

Bruchac, J. (1993). The First Strawberries. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers.

Crespo, G. (1993). How the Sea Began. New York, NY: Clarion Books.

Dearborn, Lyn, & Ritchie, Mary (n.d.) Legend Ojibwe Dream Catcher. Retrieved from http://www.rivernen.ca/legend_1.htm

Dream Catchers Incorporated (n.d.) The Legend of the Dream Catcher. Retrieved from http://www.dreamcatchers.org/dcat16.html

London, J. (1993). Fire Race; A Karuk Coyote Tale. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.

Shepard, A. (2004). The Hidden One. In Folktales on Stage: Children’s Plays for Readers Theater. Los Angeles, CA: Shepard Publications.

Taylor, C.J. (1993). How Horses Came Into the World. In How We Saw the World; Nine Native stories of the way things began. Montreal, Quebec: Tundra Books.

Taylor, H.P. (1993). Coyote Places the Stars. New York, NY: Bradbury Press.

References: Websites http://www.floridastandards.org/Standards/

FLStandardSearch.aspx http://www.ahsd25.k12.il.us/Curriculum%20Info/NativeAmericans

/Index.html

http://www.mce.k12tn.net/indians/crafts/easterncrafts.htm http://www.manataka.org/page180.html#Seminole http://nativetech.org/recipes/index.php http://www.teachervision.fen.com/native-american-heritage-mont

h/teacher-resources/6648.html http://www.dream-catchers.org/make-dream-catchers-kids.php http://familycrafts.about.com/od/nativeamerican/Native_American

_Crafts.htm http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/indian/ http://www.ehow.com/video_4989348_art-kids-weave-mat.html http://are.as.wvu.edu/ruvolo.htm http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/eighteen/ekeyinfo/natr

el.htm http://www.aktalakota.org/index.cfm?cat=1&artid=95 http://library.thinkquest.org/J003195F/newpage4.htm

References: Books Caduto, M. J., & Bruchac, J. (1997). Keepers of

the animals: Native American stories and wildlife activities for children. Goldern, Colorado: Fulcrum Publishing.

Vogel, C. G. (2001). Weather legends: Native American lore and the science of weather. Brookfield, Connecticut: Millbrook Press.

Wolf, M. (1919). Iroquois religion and its relation to their morals. New York: Columbia University Press.

Planning Resources Martinello, M. L., & Cook, G.E. (2000).

Interdisciplinary Inquiry in Teaching and Learning (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Roberts, P.L., & Kellough, R.D. (2008). A Guide for Developing Interdisciplinary Thematic Units (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson.

Jacobs, H.H. Interdisciplinary Learning in Your Classroom: From Concept to Classroom. Retrieved from: http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/index.html