Introduction
Before the Pilgrims, the 13 Colonies, and the Declaration of Independence, the United States was home to the American Indians. This 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.
Today we're going to learn a little bit about the history of this country and learn about how they came to be the country they 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 short 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 five historians.
- Each team will be assigned one region to become experts on. You will create a short presentation to share what you have learned about the tribes in your region.
- The regions are:
- NorthWest
- Southwest
- Great Plains
- Southeast Woodlands
- Northeast Woodlands.
- 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
- 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 groups of five 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: Have each team member choose one of the following areas to become an expert on in your region:
- 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 or books from the classroom to help you in your research. Organize the information obtained from your research using the graphic organizers for notes.
Step 3: You will be working independently while doing the research portion. Each team member should have his or her own computer.
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, example of weaving, jewelry, artwork, or anything that relates to your tribe. Be creative!! Be sure to talk with your team members so no two people will be creating 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 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
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?