Introduction
Before the Pilgrims, the 13 Colonies, and the Declaration of Independence, this land was home to the American Indians. Our country was once the land that belonged to the Native Americans. They lived in all regions of what we know as the United States, however, the ways in which they lived varied from region to region.
It is important to know the history of our country and learn about how we came to be the country we are today. Using this webquest you have been given the ability to travel back in time and visit the various tribes that lived in the different regions of the United States.
How are Native American tribes different from each other and how did they adapt to and survive in their surroundings? At the end of our research, you will use this information to create your own independent Native American project.
Task
You need to learn about Native Americans in one region of the United States. You will work in a team of five historians.
Each team will be assigned one tribe to become experts on. You will create a presentation to share what you have learned about the tribes in your region.
There are certain areas that you will need to research in order to gain a thorough understanding of your region and how Native Americans adapted to and survived in their surroundings.
The regions are: Northwest (Chinook), Southwest (Pueblo and Hopi) , Great Basin (Shoshone), Southeast Woodlands (Chicksaw), and Woodlands (Mohawk and Oneida, and The Plains (Apache and Comanche).
Each historian in your group will become an expert in one research area.
The areas of research are:
-tribes and geographical features
-food and hunting
-shelter and transportation
-clothing and technology
-customs and traditions
Click here for research questions to help guide you.
*Graphic organizers
In addition to your presentation, for homework each historian will create an artifact. This might be a totem pole, clothing, symbol story, shelter, jewelry, artwork, or anything else that relates to your tribe. You must be prepared to explain the importance of the artifact and how it relates to your tribe. Be creative!! Be sure to talk with your team members to make sure no two people are doing the same type of artifact.
Each team of historians will create a presentation which will include the following; your team poster/powerpoint, each individual artifact, and pictures with descriptions of the areas each expert researched.
Process
You will be working in small groups to become experts and create a presentation about Native Americans in one region of the United States. Be sure that you read all of the directions carefully and use the following question to guide your research; "How were Native Amercian tribes different from each other and how did they survive in their surroundings?" Have fun!!
Step 1: Work together as a team on each of the following areas to become an expert on your tribe:
- Tribes and geographical features expert
- Food and hunting expert
- Shelter and transportation expert
- Clothing and technology expert
- Customs and traditions expert
Use the research questions to guide your research.
Step 2: Use the links to websites below to help you in your research. You may also use library books to help you in your research. Organize the information obtained from your research using the graphic organizers for notes.
Step 3: You will each be gathering information while doing the research portion. Each team member should have his or her own iPad to research and take notes.
Step 4: When everyone on your team has completed their research, you will meet as a group to begin organizing and creating your project.
Step 5: Each team member is responsible for completing their expert area on the project (e.g. clothing expert produces the "clothing" part of the project). Remember your individual project (artifact) can be a totem pole, piece of clothing, symbol story, shelter, or anything found on your project sheet. Be creative!!
Step 6: As a team, you will be presenting the information on Native Americans in your region. After each team member has completed their portion of the project and their artifact, you will be putting together a presentation board which will include each team members artifact and your information. The presentation board should also include pictures that explain/show each area studied. Each "expert" will present on their area AND the artifact they created.
North Eastern Woodlands
Great Plains
Southwest
Pueblo Indians Southwest
Nothwest
South Esatern Indians
SouthEastern Indians Encylopedia
Conclusion
Congratulations!! You have successfully completed your first WebQuest. You and your fellow historians are now "experts" on different Native American Regions in the United States. You have worked independently and as a team to create your presentation. You will have a chance to learn about the Native Americans in all regions of the U.S. as they are presented by each team to the class. How were the Native American tribes different from each other and how did they survive in their environments?
Teacher Page
5.C.1 Analyze the change in leadership, cultures and everyday life of American Indian groups before and after European exploration.
Learning Target:
I will explain the leadership, culture and the everyday life of a specific Native American Groups.
Essential Question:
How did the Native American Tribes differ from one another? Why did Native American Tribes differ from one another?