Virtual Atlas Education
http://www.evergreen.edu./user/virtatpnw/
Lesson Four
Comparing Northwest Native American Communities
Purpose:
Students will get an inkling of environmental and historical influences on humans in the area. Understanding how place pertains to peoples, Environmental and historical influences on human lifestyles, and lifestyles on land.
Objectives:
Related Washington state EALRs:
Geography:
3.1 identify and examine people’s interaction with and impact on the environment
History:
1.2 analyze the historical development of events, people, places, and patterns of life in U.S., world, and Washington State history
Civics:
1.3 examine representative government and citizen participation
National Geography Standards:
3. How to use mental maps to organize information about people, places, and environments in a spatial context
4. The physical and human characteristics of places
Curriculum Connections:
Economics, social studies, civics
Length of Time Required:
Four to six hours, three quarters of which is on line research.
Materials:
Procedure:
Step 1: Hold a short discussion about life style and environment in different communities around the PNW. Encourage the students to voice any aspects, incidents or sights they have seen concerning the topic. Photographs, cassette tapes, Internet images or interesting excerpts of text that are available should be shared. Help students understand that culture groups make choices about their relationships and use of the environment.
Step 2: Hand out the questions and let them at the computers. In the Virtual Atlas there are several maps and links to enable the students to research answers regarding the questions below. Chose two Tribal groups from different regions in the Pacific Northwest, two groups for each team of students or two for the entire class. Ask provided list of questions of each community.
Step 3: Student’s log on to the Internet and go to the Virtual Atlas web site. Then thoroughly research the questions provided and write out complete answers to each of the first eight. They should also take notes carefully to aid in answering questions nine and ten
Step 4: A discussion to share findings should be initiated. Encourage the students to empathize with the peoples they have researched. A more thorough write up regarding the students’ findings and feelings may be in order.
Key Vocabulary:
Boundary – a thing which serves to mark the limits of something; the limit itself; the dividing line.
Cultural – the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior…
Cultural boundary – A boundary defined by human cultural influences.
Community – the people with common interests living in a particular area…
Conclusion:
People living in different communities will have different values, life styles, and survival techniques. Understanding how geography influences these realities helps us know ourselves better, and our choices and relationship to the natural environment.