Third Grade 
Social Science: Continuity and Change 

Regional Landforms and  Native People
Activities

White Rock Elementary
10487 White Rock Road
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Cynthia Casner, M.A. clcasner@jps.net  or ccasner@fcusd.k12.ca.us
Last Revised: 01/21/01

You will be guided through the geography of California, our region (Sacramento & El Dorado Counties), and learn about the Native People that live there.  You will need to review the first part of Unit 1 in your Social Studies book Communities: Adventures in Time and Place  by McGraw Hill on the following topics.

• Unit 1:  Living in Communities 
  There are many types of communities in the United States and around the world.  People live in rural, urban, and suburban areas.
  • Using Map Scales 
  • Using Intermediate Directions
  • Understanding Hemispheres
• Geography Skills
  • Part 1 Using Globes,  pp.G4
  • Part 2 Using Maps,  pp.G5
    • Maps and symbols, pp. G6
    • Map title and Map key,  pp. G7
    • Cardinal Directions & Compass Rose, pp. G8
    • Locators, pp. G9
  • Part 3 Different Kinds of Maps,  pp. G10
    • Landform map,  pp. G10
    • Grid Map, pp. G11

For a PowerPoint Lesson on these Geography requirements, 

e-mail the author and it can be e-mailed to you, 

or check out her school web-site by clicking here.

Native Americans of Our Community Unit

Introduction

The Gold Rush had a major impact on the indigenous people of the United States.  The Catholic Church and the establishment of missions by the Spanish further impacted California tribes.  For thousands of years, native tribes lived in communities, which were strongly rooted in tradition.  As pioneers settled in to fence in and own their land bringing with them new tools, traditions, ideas about land and religion, Native American traditions changed. 

Prior to the arrival of Europeans, what was daily life like for the Natives of California?  Rancho Cordova?  The foothills?  We are fortunate that you have volunteered to become a specialist about the Indigenous People of our community; Maidu and Miwok Indians.  As an expert you will uncover the traditions and lives of these tribes before their lives were disrupted and changed forever, as well as how they live today.

The Task

As a member of a team of experts chosen by the teacher, you are to research the tribe you have been assigned.  You will need to start on the TRIBE PAGE.  From there you will begin your search to find information about your tribe, and then assemble a colorful report to be presented to your class at the Presentation Powwow.

The Process

To accomplish the task, each student will play the role of an expert.  You will go to your tribe's page and choose the category for your tribe in which you are an expert.

2. Your group needs to determine who will play the following roles:

• · Archaeologist:
  • As the archeologist, you will need to research the artifacts that tell us about how your tribe used tools, toys, musical instruments, or other ceremonial pieces in their lives.  You must have pictures and/or a model along your presentation.
• · Architect
  • · As the architect, you will research the housing of the tribe.  How was the housing constructed?  Was it for one family or many?  Why do you think the tribe built that type of housing?  You must have pictures and a model along with your presentation.
  • · As the architect, you will also need to show transportation, if applicable.  What was it?  How was it made?  What materials did they use?  Create an example, in drawing or as a model.
• · Geologist
  • · As the geologist, you will research how the geography of the area affected how your tribe lived and survived.
• · Meteorologist
  • · As the meteorologist, you will research how the weather and climate affected how your tribe lived and survived.  How did it affect their crops? hunting? 
• · Sociologist
  • · As the sociologist, you will research the rituals, myths, and ceremonies (such as the powwow) of your tribe.  You will need to have pictures and/or a copy of a myth or legend told in your tribe, along with your presentation.  You may also act out the legend.
• · Linguist
  • · As the linguist, you will research the language of your tribe.  You will need to have examples of written and spoken language.  Be creative and assign a name in your tribe’s language for each person in the group for the Powwow.
• · Culinary expert
  • · As the Culinary expert, you will research the basic diet of the tribe.  What did they eat?  Did they hunt and fish, grow food, gather food, or was it some combination of these practices?  How sis they use herbs for medicinal use?  What herbs are indigenous to their area?
• · Fashion expert
  • · As the Fashion expert, you will research the clothing worn by the members.  How did they construct their clothing?  You will need pictures and samples along with your presentation.
• · Artisan
  • · As the artisan, you will research the art forms of your tribe.  Some examples are: basket weaving, sand painting, weaving, pottery, drawing, painting, writing, music, etc.

REMEMBER that you are looking for information that answers the project research task:
· What are their traditions?
· What was their shelter like and how did they make it?
· What food did they eat?  How did they get it?
· What type of clothing did they wear?  How did they make it?  What was it made of?
· How did the geographical area and temperature affect the tribe?
 

EXTRA CREDIT Invite a member from the other team to compare and contrast all findings of the experts on both tribes.  Design a presentation that shows what you learned about how the two tribes are the same or different.
 

Final Project
Each "Tribe" will create a PowerPoint or HyperStudio project that will be presented at the Tribal Powwow.  Each expert team will have a page on the aspect that they covered.  It will provide readable text, with correct grammar, mechanics, spelling and content (remember that your teacher put all this information together so your accuracy counts!)  One or more pictures may be used as made available by the teacher.  A printed version of the presentation will be given to the teacher for grading.

After the presentations, students will need to take the POSTTEST - Regional Native People @ funbrain.com  or on the black line master provided by the teacher.  Your teacher will direct you to the site.