Sunday, October 16, 2011

Tell me and I'll forget. Show me and I may not remember. Involve me and I'll understand. — Native American Proverb

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Dear families--
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of preparations for NECAPs and for my untimely absence. Rest assured, I have worked tirelessly to provide rich learning experiences for your children, and I have left them in extremely capable hands. I am beginning to feel better now, and as I convalesce, I will maintain regular communication with Julie to manage lessons, activities, and assessments. I am still here.

Ask your student about our new unit on Native Americans entitled, "We the People." This is an exciting unit that incorporates Geography, History, Cultural Studies, Civics, Language Arts, Visual Arts, Anthropology, and Technology. Have them go over the expectations and timelines with you.

NOTE: There is a home piece included in the unit; students will need to create a shelter/dwelling of the tribe they have chosen to learn more about and have it completed in time for their PowerPoint/oral presentations in mid-November.

Below are some excellent sites that will be helpful to your students as they begin their research. Explore them! I will add any additional sites I may find to THIS one (to keep everything together), using a different color to make it/them easily visible.

Where to go to find information about your tribe:


NATIVE AMERICAN FACTS FOR KIDS --an enormous amount of information


KID INFO—NATIVE AMERICANS—Another huge site


MR. DONN – NATIVE AMERICANS IN OLDEN TIMES INDEX (Wonderful, kid-friendly site with lots of information on most tribes)


SOME PRINCIPAL TRIBES AND NATIONS: Native Americans in Olden Times for Kids


TRIBE COMPARISONS—Covers many tribes--worth checking out


LEARN ABOUT NATIVE AMERICANS—Interactive site: (Covers Woodland, Southeast, Great Plains, Great Basin, Northwest, and Southwest Indians. Region names may vary, but information is still the same. Good general information!)