Medieval Times, Lesson 34

Native North Americans

Move over ancient Egypt. Out of the way Greek gods. Tessa has discovered a new favorite culture! She's been jump-up-and-down excited to study history these past few weeks to further immerse herself into the world of our Native North Americans. Finally, we can take some field trips! We will visit Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site and Washington University's 24th Annual Powwow this spring. I'll be looking for other educational opportunities throughout the summer.

Main Lesson Part 1: Introduction

• Read The Usborne Medieval World by Jane Bingham (pages 78-79).
• Completed HO map work for Lesson 34, Main Lesson.
• Completed "Introduction to Native Americans" from Evan-Moor History Pockets: Native Americans, Grades 1-3.

Main Lesson Part 2: Northern Native Americans (Inuit, Tlingit and the Woodland)

• Read Inuit by Barbara A. Gray-Kanatiiosh.
• Read I Is for Inuksuk: An Arctic Celebration by Mary Wallace.
• Completed "The Inuit of the Arctic" (student booklet, stamp and picture dictionary cards) from Evan-Moor History Pockets: Native Americans, Grades 1-3.

• Read Whale Snow by Debby Dahl Edwardson.
• Read Kumak's River: A Tall Tale from the Far North by Michael Bania.
• Read Very Last First Time by Jan Andrews.
• Completed "The Inuit of the Arctic" (ice fishing activity) from Evan-Moor History Pockets: Native Americans, Grades 1-3.

Tessa crafted a pole from a drinking straw, yarn and magnetic tape and then practiced "ice fishing" with a paper fish and hook.

• Read Igloos and Inuit Life by Louise Spilsbury.
• Read The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett.
• Read The Legend of Lightning and Thunder by Paula Ikuutaq Rumbolt.
• Completed "The Inuit of the Arctic" (igluviak story prompt) from Evan-Moor History Pockets: Native Americans, Grades 1-3.

Tessa chose to create a brief arctic myth for her igluviak story prompt. It reads, "I sewed a parka from magical caribou skins. Every time I reached into the pockets, there was delicious food inside." I like that she incorporated several components of Inuit life into her story.

• Completed "The Tlingit of the Northwest" (student booklet, stamp, picture dictionary cards and mask) from Evan-Moor History Pockets: Native Americans, Grades 1-3.
• Read The Sea Monster's Secret by Malka Drucker via OpenLibrary.org.

Tessa completed Tlingit potlatch mask. She was particular proud of her color and pattern choices.

Main Lesson Part 3: Western Native American (Northwest, Nez Perce and Maidu)

• Completed "The Nez Perce of the Plateau" (student booklet, stamp, picture dictionary cards and Appaloosa ornament) from Evan-Moor History Pockets: Native Americans, Grades 1-3.
• Read The Nez Perce by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve via OpenLibrary.org.
• Started listening to Kaya: An American Girl audiobook set by Janet Shaw. (Tessa listened and followed along in the print books one each day until she completed the six-book series.)

Tessa's completed Appaloosa ornament. I thought she did a good job matching up the colors with ones traditionally used by the Nez Perce.

Not surprising, Tessa has fallen in love with all things Kaya and put her at the top of her birthday list. To celebrate our studies of Native North Americans, I surprised her with a mini Kaya doll. 

• Completed "The Maidu of California" (student booklet, stamp, picture dictionary cards and seed beater) from Evan-Moor History Pockets: Native Americans, Grades 1-3.

Main Lesson Part 4: Central and Eastern Native Americans (Mississippi, Navajo and Pueblo)

• Completed "The Navajo of the Southwest" (student booklet, stamp, picture dictionary cards and Navajo rug) from Evan-Moor History Pockets: Native Americans, Grades 1-3.
• Read Navajo by Richard Gaines.
• Read Turquoise Boy by Cohlene.
• Read The Magic Of Spider Woman by Lois Duncan.
• Read The Goat in the Rug by Charles L. Blood via OpenLibrary.org.

Tessa colored the Navajo rug design with crayons and then used a watercolor wash for the background.

Tessa's completed Navajo rug.

History Odyssey concludes its lessons for Native North Americans from the Middle Ages with the Navajo. We still have several History Pockets left. Since Tessa has thoroughly enjoyed this unit, we may come back to them either this summer or squeeze them in next fall when we move into early modern times.

* HO = History Odyssey