Lesson Plans 9.11.14

Essential Questions
1. What were the political, social, and economic characteristics of Native American societies in the pre-1607 period, and how was each society impacted by its geographical environment?
2. To what extent did Native Americans fit into the general concept of American identity?

Discuss
1. Misconceptions of early Native Americans

Groups
2.  Students will be organized into 9 different groups studying Pre-Columbian Native  
     Americans

Research
3.  Students  will research an assigned Native American group. Your group of researchers will   “interview” an individual (factual or made up) from the culture to determine the potential of this   society to assimilate into the future American societies of the 17th and 18th centuries (1600- 
1700s).

4. These will be the groups presenting tomorrow -

Pre-Columbian;

• Eastern Woodlands
• Great Plains
• Texas
• Florida
• Southwest
• Great Basin
• Northwest
• Northwest Plateau
• California

5. These links will guide you in your research;

Pre-Columbian Indian Macro-Cultures

      National Museum of the American Indian Collections Search

You may use these questions to guide your interview;

1. Is your informant a male?
2. Is your informant a farmer? If not, what does he/she do for a living?
3. Is your informant a descendant of a European? If not, where did his/her ancestors come from? Has your informant experienced discrimination because of his or her background?
4. Where has your informant lived and has it pleased him/her?
5. What was your informant's work history?
6. Is it work he/she has enjoyed?
7. Can he/she blame any of his misfortunes on his or her own weaknesses?
8. Does your informant talk about others living in prosperity and happiness?
9. Is he/she optimistic about the future? Does he/she have higher expectations for his or her children?
10. Does your informant feel he has a valued place in society?
11. Has your informant been treated humanely?
12. Is your informant Christian? If not, what is his/her religion?
13. Has your informant experienced religious discrimination? If so, what kind?

Homework: 
Read
~ American Pageant - pages 54-65
~ AMSCO - finish up Chapter 2
Complete research