One State-Many Nations

 
 
 
 

 

Stereotyping and Past and Present Native American Influence

Overview of Lesson:

This WebQuest will focus on stereotypes and impact of the Native American people in our world today. It begins by examining what racism and stereotypes are. Once a basis of understanding is established, research will focus on three primary areas:

  • stereotypical symbols,

  • stereotypical beliefs (about dress, language, and behavior) and

  • past and present Native American influence.

As teachers, we know that flexibility is important. This WebQuest was designed with flexibility in mine. Please feel free to use it as a whole class instructional tool, small group activity, or a culminating class activity. To present this information, students can work to gather information about the topics and will have choice in presentation methods (PowerPoint, Video, Report, Collage, Poster, Tri-fold Presentation, etc.).

 

Goal:

Students will understand the meaning of stereotypes and will examine their own thinking about stereotypes they hold. They will see impacts of Native Americans in the past and will look at modern Native American life.

 

Objectives:

Social Studies Content Standards

Grade 4 Benchmark: People in Society

Indicator: Diffusion

3. Explain how contributions of different cultures within the United States have influenced our common national heritage.

4. Describe the contributions of significant individuals, including artisans, inventors, scientists, architects, explorers and political leaders to the cultural heritage or the United States.

 

Grade 4 Benchmark: Social Studies Skills and Methods

Indicator: Obtaining Information

3. Use primary and secondary sources to answer questions about Ohio history.

 

Grade 4 Benchmark: Geography

Indicator: Location

4. Use maps to identify the location of major physical and human features of Ohio.

 

Grade 5 Benchmark: People in Society

Indicator: Cultures

2. Compare life on Indian reservations today with the cultural traditions of American Indians before the reservation system.

 

 

Material:

County outline map of Ohio

Material to make presentations as directed by the teacher.

 

Procedures:

  1. Introduce the concepts of stereotyping, Native American impact and Native Americans today.

  2. Introduce students to the concept of a WebQuest.

  3. Go over the driving questions listed in the WebQuest. (This WebQuest can be done in its entirety or it can be separated into three distinct parts and each group could do a part and report back to the class on their part.)

  4. Break the students into groups and work through the assigned part of the WebQuest.

 

Evaluation:

Rubric for Making A Poster: Native American Stereotypes

Rubric for Making A Poster: Native American Impact on Medicine

Rubric for Making A Map: Native American Impact on Names (Counties, Cities, Parks)

Rubric for Research Report: Famous Native Americans

Rubric for Research Report: Current Famous Native Americans

Rubric for Letter-Writing: A Letter to Current Native American Leaders

 

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