Unit 1: Native Americans

Grade 4
COURSE TITLE: AMERICAN HISTORY
UNIT 1

Unit 1: Native Americans

(Suggested amount of time to spend on unit: September - mid-October)

FOCUS QUESTIONS

FQ1: How do cultures of the Eastern Woodland and Southeastern Native Americans compare? (EQ6)

Compare and contrast:
Shelter
Ceremonies
Transportation
Clothing
Food
Roles (tribal, familial)
Economy (Trade)
Recreation

S1; PS2 Engage in reading challenging primary and secondary historical source materials, some of which is contradictory and requires questioning of validity.

S2; PS3 Demonstrate knowledge of major trends in state and local history, including history of original peoples, early settlements and selected changes over the past two centuries.

S3; PS1 Recognize that people develop traditions that transmit their beliefs and ideals.

S3; PS2 Examine family life and cultures of different peoples at different times in history.

S4; PS5 Recognize relationships between events and people of the past and present circumstances, concerns and developments.

NOTES TO TEACHER:

The units in grade 4 need to be taught in this sequence. Use local resources to access additional information on Native Americans. Potential field trip to Webb Dean Stevens Museum in Wethersfield, CT. Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Museum- Curriculum Center (free).

RESOURCES:

Provided resources:

If You Lived with the Iroquis (Unit 1, FQ1)
If You Lived with the Cherokee (Unit 1, FQ1)
The Cherokee Indians (Unit 1, FQ1)
The Pequot Tribe (Unit 1, FQ1)
The Iroquis Indians (Unit 1, FQ1)
Native Americans, Researching American History (Unit 1, FQ1)

Additional resources:

Local resources
Books by author Jean Fritz might be appropriate
Encounter by Jane Yolan
Eastern Woodland Indians
Southeastern Indians

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES:

Construct a village including shelter, transportation, ceremonies, etc.
Collaborate with physical education teacher and engage in a game of Lacrosse etc. (Native American recreation)
Collaborate with the art teacher - nimal hide painting and symbols
Collaborate with the music teacher and create music and dance of a ceremony

ASSESSMENTS:

Essential questions
Focus questions
Performance tasks
Tests/quizzes
Teacher observations

 

Content: Social Studies Grade Level: 4 Date of BOE Adoption: July 17. 2002