American Indians Webquest - 5th Grade

Before the Pilgrims, the Thirteen 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 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 create a presentation of a chosen tribe to be presented to the class.

You need to learn about the Native Americans in one region of the United States. You will work individually, then come together as a group to complete your presentation. Each of you will the expert historian in the area in which you researched.  Each team will be assigned one region 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, Southwest, Great Plains, Southeast Woodlands, Northeast Woodlands.

Each historian in your group will become an expert in at least one research area. The areas of research areas are:

• tribes and geographical features
• food and hunting
• shelter and transportation
• clothing and technology
• customs and traditions

Attached is a copy of the research graphic organizer for each category.

In addition to your presentation, for homework, each historian will create an artifact. Examples could 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 aerw doing the same type of artifact.

Each team of historians will create a presentation which will include the following:

• your team poster/powerpoint
• individual artifact
• pictures with descriptions of the areas each expert researched

You will be working in groups of 4-5 to become experts and create a presentation about Native Americans in one region of the United States. Be sure to read all the directions carefully and use the following questions to guide you in your research - "How were Native American tribes different from each other and how did they survive in their surroundings?"

Step 1: Each team member will choose at least one of the following areas to become an expert on in your region. Use the graphic organizer to guide you as you research of these areas.

• Tribes and geographical features expert
• Food and hunting expert
• Shelter and transportation expert
• Clothing and technology expert
• Customs and traditions expert

Step 2: Use the links to websites below to help in your research. Organize the information obtained from your research using the graphic organizer for notes.

Step 3: You will work independently while doing the research portion. Each team member should have a computer to complete their research.

Step 4: When everyone on your team has completed their research, you will meet as a group to begin organizing and creating your final presentation.

Step 5: Each team member is responsible for completing their expert area on the project. Remember your individual project(artifact) is another part of this project. Be sure to talk to your team members so no two people will create the same type of artifact.

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 put together a presentation board or powepoint which will include each team expert research. The presentation board/powerpoint should include pictures that explain/show each area studied. Each expert will present on their area and show their artifact that they have created.

RESOURCES

Northeastern Woodlands

http://whitewolve.com/native_americans/indexblok.woodland.htm

Great Plains

http://nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/plains/

Southwest

hthttp://nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/southwest/

http://nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/plains/

http://nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/southwest/

http://www.kidzworld.com/article/1389-american-indians-southwest-bands

http://www.desertusa.com/ind1/du_peo_native1.html

Northwest

http://nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/northwest/

Southeast Woodlands

http://kids.britannica.com/comptons/article-287502/Southeast-Indians

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/667914/Southeast-Indian

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/667914/Southeast-Indian

http://nativeahttp://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/se/mtsi/

http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/se/mtsi/

Other Resources

http://www.nhusd.k12.ca.us/ALVE/NativeAmerhome.html/nativeamhome.html - Native American websites for kids

http://www.greatdreams.com/native.htm - Native American Culture

http://www.desertusa.com/ind1/du_peo_native1.html - Native American surfnet

htthttp://www.kstrom.net/isk/maps/usmapindex.html - Native American facts

http://www.native-languages.org/kidfaq.htm - List of tribes by states

http://www.nativetech.org/clothing/regions/regions.html - Native American clothing by tribes

Presentation Rubric

1	2	3	4
I did not share information well. The information I gave was not clear. My audience didn't have an understanding of what I was presenting.	I shared limited information. The information I gave was somewhat clear. My audience had some understanding of what I presented.	I presented in a clear and organized way that my audience was able to understand.	My presentation showed evidence of time and hard work. The audience clearly understood what I was presenting.

Presentation Board/PowerPoint

Each group member will be given an individual grade as well as a group grade.

Group members will be graded individually based on:

• the fulfillment of their job
• the quality of material included in the research
• the content, organization, and mechanics of the writing
• the creativity executed to complete the work
• the neatness exhibited in the final product.

Group grades will be based on:

• the overall appearance of the final product
• the collaborative effort exhibited to complete the presentation
• the fulfillment of the project criteria

Presentation Board/PowerPoint Rubric

1 = poor           2=fair           3=satisfactory          4=exemplary

Individual Grade:
Fulfillment of individual role	1	2	3	4
Quality of included material	1	2	3	4
Content of writing	1	2	3	4
Organization of writing	1	2	3	4
Mechanics of writing	1	2	3	4
Creativity	1	2	3	4
Created artifact	1	2	3	4
Neatness	1	2	3	4
TOTAL Individual points

Group Grade:
Overall appearance	1	2	3	4
Collaborative effort	1	2	3	4
Fulfillment of project criteria	1	2	3	4
TOTAL Group Points

TOTAL POINTS ____________________________

Congratutions!! You have completed your Native American webquest. You have cooperated with your peers and used the internet to gather important resources on your Native American tribe. Native Americans have a special place in the United States history and you should be well informed about the tribe you researched.  I hope you enjoyed this webquest and you will continue learning about the Native American tribes.