The First Americans

Essential Question: How did geography, and economy affect where people lived?

Project Scenario

Imagine that you were one of the first Americans. How did geography and the supply of food sources play on how you would live? A long time ago North America was very different from the way it is today. There were no highways, cars, or cities. There were no schools, malls, or restaurants. But even long, long ago, there were still communities. A community is where a group of people work, live, and have fun together. People made their own homes, food, and clothing from the plants and animals they found around them.

You have been given the responsibility of selecting a Native American region in which to live.

In order to make your decision, you will visit one of the four Native American regions, and report which one would provide the best living conditions for you.

Your Research

You will research the geography, the culture and economics of one of these four Native American groups:

1. The Northwest Culture

2. The Plains Culture

3. The Southwest Culture

4. The Woodlands Culture

In order to find a place to live comfortably, you will need to consider what living conditions are important to you. Think about the basic living conditions listed below and read the question after each one:

Climate: Is it hot or cold?
Shelter: Can I find things to use to build a house?
Availability of Food: What kind of food is there?
Transportation: How will we travel?
There are many more living conditions you could think of to investigate.

Your Assignment

You will be in a team. Each Team will research a different Native American group. To help you research, click on:

The First Americans (this is your main site for research)

Learn About Native Americans

Map: Early North American Cultures

Maps: Native American Territories

Your team will create a PowerPoint Presentation.

Steps for this Project Click here to follow the steps Research Cycle

OR look at the steps below

You will follow the Research Cycle as you work through this project. The steps are:

Questioning

"How do geography, culture, and economy affect where people live?"

Planning

You will use a note sheet placed on the "s" drive.

Gather

Use the "First American" link (see above) to gather informatiion

Sorting and Sifting

Look at all the information you have collected. Arrange and rearange the information to focus what is important to your project.

Synthesize

Look again at your note taking sheet. Do you have informtion on all the areas. Do you need more information?

Gather, Sort, Sift, Synthesize

Make sure you have all the information you need. Use a planning sheet that is on the "s" drive to write paragraphs on your Native American culture. Use your own words in complete sentences. This is your planning sheet to be used for the final project. (PowerPoint) You will have slides.

Evaluating

Does your research support your project? How well did you and your partner work as a team?

Reporting

You and your partner will use PowerPoint to present to the class.