Fifth-grade study of the history and culture of Native American tribes culminated with a research project analyzing the impact that the local environment had on various tribes living all over North America.
After learning about the continent’s diverse terrain, fifth-graders used models of clay and other materials to form their understanding of the geography of their assigned region.
Working in teams, students chose a tribe to research — such as Blackfoot, Aztec, Apache, Seminole, and Crow — examining how they adapted to and modified elements in their unique environment and climate.
Each team presented their findings to and took questions from their classmates and teacher Kirsten Dahl.
“The students were very engaged in this project,” Dahl said. “Their learning was evident in both their written work as well as the group presentations.”