Need rsources for short study of "North American Indian Cultures"

[Karen in CO]

We are going with some friends next month to the museum of science and nature for a guided tour through the new exhibit on "North American Indian Cultures." I would like to study a little before we go so that we get more out of the visit. We have three weeks before the visit so that would give me one week to plan and two weeks to study with my dd. What are your best resources for this topic for lower elementary?

Here is the description from the website:
We are all different, we are all the same is the thread running through this exhibition hall. Shelter, food, clothing, transportation, tools—all are basic human needs satisfied in different ways by different cultures. Among North America’s native peoples, the rich diversity in traditional and modern lifeways reflects the distinctive regional influences of environment and materials.
As you travel through the various regions you can explore authentic reconstructed dwellings, including an Eskimo snow house, a Northwest Coast clan house, a Navajo hogan, and a Cheyenne tipi. Along the way, examine beautifully crafted weavings, basketry, beadwork, and pottery. Stop to listen to stories and watch videos on the major cultural groups.

Thanks

[SnowWhite]

More Than Moccasins activity book and the "If You Lived With the (Hopi, Sioux, etc)" series. WinterPromise uses them in their American Story 1 set for grades 1-3.

[Mrs Mungo]

More Than Moccasins activity book and the "If You Lived With the (Hopi, Sioux, etc)" series. WinterPromise uses them in their American Story 1 set for grades 1-3.

I tend to agree. I would also recommend the Dover coloring book, it does a pretty good job of covering various tribes in a short space. ETA: I was speaking about the Indian Tribes of North America coloring book but they have some others that might also be good additions.
http://store.doverpublications.com/by-subject-coloring-books-native-american.html

I would go one of two directions with this 1) look at the different tribes that live(d) in your area or 2) cover a tribe or two from a few different areas.

[mcconnellboys]

A couple of books I have at home that I like, by Alys Swan-Jackson, are The Apaches and Pueblo Peoples of the Southwest, and The Plains Indians.

Regena

[FloridaLisa]

More Than Moccasins activity book and the "If You Lived With the (Hopi, Sioux, etc)" series.


That is precisly what I was going to recommend for elementary age. The Eyewitness book and Tunis book on Indians are also well worn around here.

HTH,
Lisa

[hsm]

There are some fun suggestion on the ourlosbanyos site

[Malenki]

The "If You Lived with..." books were wonderful here. Others have mentioned them but I'll repeat them since they have a ton of information. Books for: Indians of the Northwest Coast, Hopi, Cherokees, Iroquois, Sioux.

These next two are both simpler but overview the groups in a quick manner: The Very First Americans by Cara Ashrose and North American Indians by David Gosline. My eldest son pulls them out all the time just to flip through.

We've also enjoyed the series by Bobbie Kalman with books like Life in a Longhouse Village and Life in a Plains Camp for more details/pictures but if I had to pick I'd go with the "If You Lived" books.

By far, the book that was most loved by DS was Who Were the First North Americans by Philippa Wingate. It's in the Usborne "Starting Point History" series and was filled with lots of tidbits. He pores over it.

More Than Mocassins has a bunch of ideas for crafts and costumes and games and so on. Our library had a fair number of "Native American" type activity books. Yours probably will too.

We don't do them (our son wasn't interested) but Evan-Moor has History Pockets as well: Native Americans for Grades 1-3.

HTH!

[Jenstet]

You can even buy actual moccasin kits for kids online. They just have to lace through the holes.

[Kraftylady]

I noticed you were looking for resources for a Native American study. I create thematic craft kits for children and homeschoolers. One of my most popular kits is my Native Americans Pack. It includes all the materials you need to create 10 crafts. I included 2 crafts from 4 different geographic areas. Eastern Woodlands: bearclaw (bead) necklace, canoe
Plains: teepee, beaded headdress
Southwest: Dance Rattle, Dance Costume Puppet
Pacific Northwest: Totem Pole, Talking Stick
As well, there are 2 crafts that were used by several tribes, a medicine bag, and a dream catcher.
I also include an "Educational Opportunities" sheet which gives facts about each area as well as extension activity ideas.
The kits sell on my website for $25.
www.kidscraftfun.com (http://www.kidscraftfun.com)
Hope this helps :001_smile: