Native Americans



Native Americans

“Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it.

What ever he does to the web, he does to himself.”

~Chief Seattle

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Ms. Klasen and Mrs. Velpel’s Class

2015

Name: _________________________

Introduction:

We believe that the original inhabitants of North America arrived thousands of years ago. Many names have been used to describe these people. We will refer to them as Native Americans or Indians. During the last several hundred years, these Native Americans have suffered many hard times, often, unfortunately, when coming into contact with the “newly” arrived European immigrants.

As you explore the various activities included in this project, try to get a sense of where the Indians were in their beliefs, what caused differences in their beliefs, what caused differences in their lifestyles, how important the earth and nature were to then, and their interactions with other groups of people.

Your Task:

1. Compare several Native American tribes and tell how they are alike and different.

2. Analyze interactions between Indians and other early American inhabitants.

3. Read various legends and explain their symbolic meanings.

4. Explore some Indian arts and crafts and identify the influences of nature and natural resources.

You will be graded upon the completion of the activities under each of the three main subdivisions: Tribes, Legends, and Arts and Crafts.

Process:

1) Native American tribes (use the chart titled Tribes of Native Americans to complete this part).

Choose three of the following five Indian tribes to research and write about. Research your tribes and record as much information on your chart as possible.

• Cherokee Nation

• Iroquois Confederacy – 6 nations

• Sioux – Lakota Nation

• Navajo Nation

• Pueblo Nation

From the information you gathered, write a 1.5 to 2 page-long paper (12 point font) that discusses the similarities and differences of a certain topic that intrigued you from the three tribes that you choose. This should be a four or five paragraph essay depending upon the way you choose to set it up. You will use parenthetical citations and have at least one source. It will be due on October 22nd. It will be graded by Ms. Klasen.

2) Legends/Lores – you will read several Native American legends/lores from one of the two websites offered (if you find other websites, you may use those too) and then complete one the given activities to demonstrate your understanding of the legends. For either option, you must read several legends/lores and then choose one that you would like to share with the class.

• Like a Native American storyteller, MEMORIZE and RETELL one of the legends/lore to the class. Write a complete paragraph explaining how nature is used in the legend. This will be due November 2nd.

• Choose one of the legends/lore and make stick puppets for the story. Present a memorized retelling of the legend with your puppets. Write a complete paragraph explaining how nature is used in the lore. This would also be due November 2nd.

3) Native American Arts and Crafts

In this section, you should acquaint yourself with the artwork of early Native Americans. Examine how they incorporate aspects of their environment and everyday experiences in their art. Apply your observations to a design of your own.

To do this, explore several of the museums and craft sites that are given to you from the hotlink page on the J-drive. You will be able to see many different crafts, food, games, and characteristics given to animal symbols. You can (and should) also explore magazines, museum catalogues, and other reference materials for artwork, clothing, accessories, and home furnishings based on traditional motifs.

You will then complete one of the following projects:

• Make a coil pot and etch Native American designs in it.

• Make a “Native American Designs” poster of symbols used in the early Indians’ crafts. Explain what those symbols mean, or stand for.

• Make a cardboard (or wooden) weaving board and weave a pattern that you designed.

• Make a chart comparing the different kinds of materials used by the various Native American groups.

• Create a ceremonial costume for a specific tribe.

• Design a project of your own and have it approved by Mrs. Klasen before you begin working on it.

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Notes:

Hotlink Page for

Native American Project

(also on the J-drive)

Cherokee Links:









Iroquois Links:









Sioux Links:











Navajo Links:









Pueblo Links:









Never rule out using online encyclopedias. There are also places to look at on the home page for Appleton Area School District. You do NOT only have to look on the web. I just created this for your convenience.

You will need the following sites for Part 2 of your project.

Native American Legends:





Native American Lore:



You will need the following sites for Part 3 of your project.

Arts and Crafts Links:









An amazing resource and place to visit – the Smithsonian Native American Museum



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