2.2 OVERVIEW
The student will compare the lives and contributions of American Indians (First Americans), with emphasis on the Powhatan of the Eastern Woodlands, the Sioux of the Plains, and the Pueblo people of the Southwest.
SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES
- Read a teacher-selected book about the Powhatan Indians that includes information on farming and agriculture. This Web site may be used as a resource: http://www.virginiaplaces.org/agriculture/natagri.html. The Powhatan used some form of corn at almost every meal. If possible complete an activity where the students either make or sample a corn product.
- Have the students draw a map of the region of Virginia where the Powhatan Indians lived and create symbols to represent the wood and bark houses, corn to show the crops, and a canoe to show transportation.
- Make tabletop teepees. Have children cover their desks with paper towels. Secure three plastic straws in three small balls of clay. Connect the straws at the top with a straight pin. Instruct each child to cut the piece of construction paper laying the paper long ways. Cut a curve at the top of the paper going form corner to corner. Then cut the bottom of the paper to match the top curve. Both curves should be curving the same way - up in this case. This shape should fit around the teepee. Show the children how to fit the teepee cover over the straw from and tape it in place. The following Web sites can serve as resources: http://www.mce.k12tn.net/indians/reports4/plains.htm#homes and http://www.saskschools.ca/~gregory/firstnations/tipi.html.
- Gather, classify and interpret information about the Powhatan, Sioux, and Pueblo American Indians (First Americans).
- Read teacher-selected stories about the Powhatan, Sioux, and Pueblo American Indians (First Americans).
- Create student-made models of the shelters of the Powhatan, Sioux, and Pueblo American Indians (First Americans).
- Use a chart to compare the occupations of the Powhatan, Sioux, and Pueblo American Indians (First Americans).
- Review the term transportation and discuss the various modes of transportation of the Powhatan, Sioux, and Pueblo American Indians (First Americans).
- Collect, organize, and record information about the contributions of the Powhatan, Sioux, and Pueblo American Indians (First Americans).
- Complete art projects that show the contributions of the Powhatan, Sioux, and Pueblo American Indians (First Americans).
WEB SITES
http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/vaindianspowindex.htm
Here is a brief review of information on Virginia's Powhatan Indians, written for younger readers.
http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Instruction/History/
virginiaregionswithcounties.pdf
Here is a map of Virginia showing the Fall Line. Most of the Powhatan tribes were located east of the Fall Line.
http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/
These graphic organizers can be used throughout the unit.
http://www.virginiaplaces.org/agriculture/natagri.html
The agriculture of the Powhatan Indians is explained in this Web site.
http://chumby.dlib.vt.edu/melissa/posters/posterset.html
Resource pictures and posters of the American Indians (First Americans) are available at this Web site.
http://www.mariner.org/chesapeakebay/native/nam004.html
Display pictures of the making of a canoe by the Powhatan Indians.
http://www.mce.k12tn.net/indians/reports4/plains.htm
This Web site includes information on the Sioux Indians of the Plains.
http://www.mariner.org/chesapeakebay/native/nam006.html
The Mariners' Museum Web site contains information on the Powhatan people.
http://inkido.indiana.edu/w310work/romac/plains.html
This Web site contains information on the Plains people.
http://inkido.indiana.edu/w310work/romac/swest.htm
This Web site contains information on the Pueblo people.
LITERATURE LINKS
American Indians: the Powhatan, Sioux, and Pueblo
Covert, Kim.
The Powhatan People. Mankato, MN: Bridgestone Books, 1999.
This book presents an overview of the past and present history and society of the Powhatan Indians.
Sneve, Virginia Driving Hawk.
The Sioux. Holiday House, 1993.
This book identifies the different tribes of the Sioux Indians and discusses their beliefs and traditional way of life.
Ross, Pamela.
The Pueblo Indians. Mankato, MN: Bridgestone Books, 1999.
This book provides an overview of the past and present lives of the Pueblo Indians, including aspects of their culture and daily life.
