Native Americans of the USA

How It Works:  The unit’s activities focus on four Native American “tribes” scattered across the United States: the Iroquois, Pueblos, Seminoles and Sioux.  Students will be accessing web sites and gathering information about these four tribes.  The four tribes are just some of the many nations across the United States.  Students will be working in cooperative groups, doing a different activity daily.  They will visit one nation’s site per day since these sites are quite extensive.  The classroom is setup with five computers, each with Internet access using the school’s network. This unit should be completed within four weeks since the groups will rotate to a different activity everyday.  At the end of this four-week period, there will be a culminating activity, which is the play “A Native American Welcome” by Sandra Widener.

Standards: Recognizes maps and globes are utilized to provide directions as well as other types of information
Describes major geographical features may determine the location of community; e.g., access to water, availability of natural resources.
Use various resources to study an identified topic
Uses technology for research and writing
Develops appreciation of other cultures 
Examines customs and traditions of various cultural groups, past and present.

Estimated Class Periods To Complete: 8

Software Materials Used:  

Keywords:  Native Americans of the US, Native American history, Native American cultures, Homes of the Native Americans, Iroquois, Pueblos, Seminoles, Sioux, Native American jewelry, Native American Symbols, Native American stories, Corn And the Native Americans, Native American family living, Native American art

Students:  The students involved in the project include seven and eight year olds, with average ability levels.  The basic skills of reading and writing are necessary in order to understand written directions and Internet information obtained. Students will be working in cooperative groups, doing a different activity daily.  Each group should have a minimum of four participants to work together.  Each group will visit one nation’s site per day since these sites are quite extensive. 

Overall:  This unit was planned across the curriculum to integrate the content areas.  The students enjoyed working in groups being actively involved in their learning.   The opportunity to research and search the web was motivating and rewarding for everyone.  They were able to develop an appreciation of cultures other than their own, examine the customs and traditions of various cultural groups from the past and the present.  Most important of all, they valued the cooperation in human relationships.   The level of difficulty could be adjusted according to the primary grade.

Tips:  Review Internet navigation skills with students and how to work in cooperative learning groups. Ask students if any have Native American heritage, perhaps they could share family stories and customs. Investigate if there is a museum with a Native American display and take students on a field trip; see if there are virtual field trips for students.

About the Teacher: 

In this second grade classroom at Fienberg/Fisher Elementary School’ located in Miami Beach, FL, the teacher, Esther Hernandez, provides an active learning environment, where the students are happy learners, who enjoy doing activities, researching, discussing, moving around, talking, and problem solving in a cooperative manner.  The teacher/learner relationship includes respect and cooperation.  The teacher has been teaching for nine years in the primary grades.  Mrs. Esther Hernandez is certified in ESOL (English as a Second Language), Elementary, and Primary Education.  The teacher’s goal is for her students to become social individuals who can be intrinsically motivated to learn and work independently or in a group. 

Mrs. Hernandez’ class is also participating in the Citibank FamilyTech program. This program provides technology training for students, parents and teachers and loans computers to classrooms and homes of participating students.

Subjects:  Social Studies and Language Arts

Grade Levels:  1 through 3

Email Esther