Below are three activity ideas that may work well in your classroom:

Activity 1 – Native American Homes:

After discussion and study of Native Americans groups, students are invited to build a miniature house of the Native American group of their choice.

A report can also be completed either in writing or by displaying the requested information on or around the house. I ask for the family life, food, clothing, religion, and government of the group.

Activity 2 – Native American Dioramas

Materials:

shoe box

construction paper

glue

scissors

markers/crayons

straw

shells

tooth picks

cloth

any other materials the students want to bring in for their dioramas

METHOD:

The teacher explains that the dioramas should show examples of their tribe’s lifestyle, for example, their homes, food, and clothing. It should also show what the terrain is like, for example, Calusas are found on the southern coast and Apalachees are found in the northern part of the state.

The students then use a variety of materials to complete their dioramas; they need to use more than just construction paper.

Students work on their own in class creating their dioramas. They should have at least two class periods to work on them. They should work individually and should be able to use their notes, textbook, and other resources (provided by the teacher) to assist the accuracy of their creation.

The dioramas are then displayed in the classroom or school after they are completed.

Activity 3 – Native American Quilt

MATERIALS:

construction paper

crayons

METHOD:

The lesson is introduced by the teacher having the class choose a tribe other than the one they researched for their diorama.

They are given construction paper and asked to think of a “scene” for the tribe they choose. The scene should be of the village and will show the tribe’s lifestyle and at least one custom.

Each paper needs a sentence at the bottom that provides a decent detail about the tribe and has the tribe’s name.

Each student will have to have their paper facing the same way, so that it can be made into a quilt.

Since time is extremely limited, the teacher should punch holes in the papers and string them together to form a quilt.

The teacher then can hang the quilt in the classroom for everyone to enjoy.

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Jan Willaimson

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