One of our objectives for this unit is for children to learn that each Native American tribe is a different culture, affected by the geography of the land where they live. Students collaboratively worked on a puzzle and map showing the many different tribes and where they lived. Students are working on research assignments and are learning about the Sioux. Cherokee, Hopi, and Haudenosaunee. Research will focus on Haudenosunee beliefs, culture, the impact of the Haudenosaunee on the American Constitution, Women’s Rights and significance of the Wampum belts. 

The information gathered will be part of a museum exhibit each student will be creating. To learn more about museum design we had Emerson Shenandoah, a mystery guest from the Skanonh, Peace Center visit our school. 

Children listened to four picture books to learn about different cultures. We read  Buffalo Bird Girl: A Hidatsa Story, Crow Chief, She Sang the Promise and If you Lived with the Iroquois. As we read, children made notes on a graphic organizer and discussed the similarities and differences between the tribes. In the future the students will visit Skanonh to learn more about their research topic and to get ideas for the exhibit assignment. In addition children completed reading assignments which added to their background knowledge and answered comprehension questions based on the reading. 

Children watched videos addressing the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, Wampum Belts and watched President Biden presenting his apology at the Gila River Indian Community to Native peoples for the 150 years of unjust federal policies of forced assimilation among Indian children.