Introduction
Before the Pilgrims, the 13 Colonies, and the Declaration of Independence, this land was home to the Native Americans. 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 create a presentation of a chosen tribe to be presented to the class.
Task
You need to learn about Native Americans in one region of the United States. You will work in a team of 4 historians.
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, and Northeast Woodlands.
Everyone will research the geographic location of the region and what tribes are in the region. Then each historian in your group will become an expert on one tribe in your region by researching these areas of research:
customs and traditions
food and hunting
Trade and Social Interactions with other tribes
shelter and transportation
clothing, crafts, and technology
Click here for research questions to help guide you.
Trade and Social Interactions with other tribes
Each team of historians will create a presentation to teach their classmates of their region. This presentation can be in the format of an interview, poster presentation, news report, or any other ideas that you may have. Please ask the teacher to see if your idea is ok.
Process
You will be working in groups of 4 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; "What resources were provided to the Native Americans from their environment and how did it impact their lifestyles?" Have fun!!
Step 1: Individually research the different tribes and geographic features of your region. After you are finished, discuss with your group to come up with features and tribes that you can put on our class map.
Step 2:
Have each team member choose one tribe in your region and research the following topics:
- Food and hunting expert
- Trade and Interactions with other Tribes
- Shelter and transportation expert
- Clothing and technology expert
- Customs and traditions expert
Use the research questions to guide your research in the "Task" menu and fill out the graphic organizers for each topic.
Step 3: Use the links to websites below to help you in your research. You may also use library books or books from the classroom to help you in your research. Organize the information obtained from your research using the graphic organizers for notes. Your research should also answer the driving question of how each of these research sections (clothing, food, shelter, beliefs, etc.) are impacted by the environment they are living in.
Step 4: You will be working independently while doing the research portion. Each team member should have his or her own computer.
Step 5: When everyone on your team has completed their research, you will meet as a group to begin organizing and creating your project.
Step 6: Your groups should decide what type of project you want to do. How you will present your work amongst your teammates. Who is going to present what information. Each person does not have to present everything about their tribe, but make sure we're talking about how the environment affects those research sections.
Step 7: 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, you will be putting together a presentation through one of the following:
1. Presentation board which will include each team member's 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. The speeches must be memorized.
2. News Report: Each team member will write a script that presents their information. The news report will be in interview format. Your teammates can either be historians that are being interviewed or Native Americans of a specific tribe. Note: If you are pretending to be Native Americans, make sure you are able to make/bring in costumes that accurately show how Native Americans of that regions truly dressed like. Green screen usage is highly recommended. Please have the script memorized and practice before you ask to film because we have limited screen time.
3. Region book: Each team member creates the pages for their section of the book that includes their information and pictures. The team is still required to present their region with a memorized speech.
4. Virtual Museum. Just like my Native American Museum, you can also make one on your specific regions. Make sure you're writing your information on each slide. I will give you a template.
5. If you have any other ideas for your presentation, please let me know and we can see if it is something that is feasible.
Step 8: Using your knowledge of the resources that they had, with the materials collected and given to you, (twigs, dirt, rocks etc), create with your team a shelter of one of the tribes in your region
Online Resources
Links for tribes and other aspects of Native American life
North Eastern Woodlands
Great Plains
Southwest
Pueblo Indians Southwest
Northwest
South Eastern Woodlands
SouthEastern Indians Encylopedia
Evaluation
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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?