Introduction, Linguistic Intelligence
Have a Native American talk with students in a circle on the floor. A constructivist approach will let children bring their own knowledge to the new unit. (KWL chart). Make list of important words and vocabulary that will be useful to students to have and refer to during the unit.
Social Sciences: Name Giving, Intrapersonal Intelligence
Read a piece of Native American Literature,
The Legend of Bluebonnet
, and have each child identify with a special talent or trait that defines who they are. Each child gives them self a special Native American name according to their special talent. Children will make headbands with their Native American names on them. These will be used throughout the unit as motivation to be a good tribal member. Every time a student does a good deed for his classroom tribe they get a real colored feather added to their headband.
The Introduction of the Horse to the Plains Indians: Linguistic Intelligence
Students will listen to a story called
The Gift of the Sacred Dog
. Students will discuss how the horse changed the lives of the Plains Indians. Students will draw comparisons and make a chart depicting life prior to and life after the introduction of the horse.
Plains Indian Beading: Mathematical Intelligence & Kinesthetic Intelligence
To discuss Native American dress. To read a piece of literature portraying colors and style of dress. To create a piece of jewelry of choice using beads and material similar to that the Natives might have used. To make use of a pattern while making jewelry and share with class.
Literature: Symbol Writing, Linguistic Intelligence
Read
The Legend of Indian Paintbrush
. Identify with pictures and text. Introduce symbols in text and generate symbols on hanging chart. Have students write their own stories on paper to plan and then on mock deerskin for final. We will share our stories in a circle, where each child will be able to elaborate on their story through the use of language.
Physical Arts: Dancing (Traditions), Kinesthetic Intelligence
Students will listen to a story called
Dancing With The Indians
. Students will have a dancing ceremony to Native American music and add their own rhythm and beats vocally and with their newly created instruments.
Science: Teepee (Housing), Naturalistic Intelligence
Students will listen to a story called
The Tipi (Native American Houses)
Students will examine a poster image of a teepee. As a group we will review the parts and logically discuss the purpose of specific features. Each student will construct an authentic teepee with tree branches, bark, and string (roots or vines) which they will collect from the environment on a nature walk through East Rock. The decorative styles of each teepee will be a creative expression of each child.
Diagramming: Buffalo as a Food and Life Source, Interpersonal Intelligence
In small groups students will web the buffalo after a shared reading of:
People of the Buffalo.
We will discuss each group's web and its important information, and how the Native Americans used the walls of caves to sketch the buffalo.
Each group will get a large piece of scratch board and working together will assimilate how this was done, creating a group cave drawing of their own.
Math: Native American Foods, Logical & Mathematical Intelligence
We will be reading a story called
Corn is Maiz
. We will be planting a Three Sisters Garden (beans, squash and corn). We will watch it grow and record our observations in science journals.
Closure: Now vs. Then, (Comparing Lives), Linguistic Intelligence
Two charts, information provided by the students, will demonstrate and compare the differences between the age of the Native American and the present day.
Students will appreciate he advantages of technology today and understand how the Native Americans were able to do some of the same things we do today, but in simpler ways.
