Jan
Native American Study
As we work along in our study of US history, we spent a lot of time learning about the Native Americans.
We learned about some of the main tribes that were here in the US and where they were located. Hailey made different representations of the tribes and placed them on the map where they lived. Then we did a more in depth study of each of the different groups of Native Americans.
When we studied the Northwest Indians, Hailey made a Totem Pole. Hunter decided he needed make one too, so he had fun joining us for this activity. It was very interesting to learn how the totem poles told a story and showed the family’s lineage. They were a way to document a family history. (Totem Pole Printable)
When we studied the Southwest Indians, Hailey weaved a basket. She decorated the basket after she finished weaving it, but apparently I didn’t take a picture of that. We learned how they weaved the baskets so tightly that they could even carry water in them.
Hailey learned about how the Plains Indians hunted buffalo and then used every part of the buffalo for something, being sure not to waste anything. She made a “buffalo skin” and then drew pictures on it of the different things they used the parts of buffalo for.
Next she learned about the Northeast and the Southeast Indians. She made a wigwam and we learned about who lived in the wigwams.
The Indians who lived in the wigwams would build a frame and cover it with bark and hides. When they moved, sometimes the wigwam would stay and sometimes they would roll up the covering and take it to the new location.
Another thing the Native Americans lived in was long houses, so Hailey made a representation of a long house.
She learned how several families lived together in the long house.
Hailey’s finished long house. (From Northeast Indians Easy Make and Learn Projects)
We both learned a lot and had fun too!
