Lesson 2: Southwest Native Americans

Getting Started

Questions to Explore

• How were people in the past dependent on plants and animals in the environment?
• How do resources from the environment help meet people's needs?

Facts and Definitions

• Corn was the most important crop of the Native Americans in the Southwest.
• The Native Americans of Southwest lived in a desert environment.

Skills

• Use geographic terminology to describe variations in the physical environment. (SS)
• Compare how people in different communities adapt to or modify the physical environment to meet their needs. (SS)
• Explain the need for leaders in communities and describe their roles and responsibilities. (SS)

Materials

• The Very First Americans by Cara Ashrose
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal* (Activity 7 - Option 2)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar* (Activity 7 - Option 2)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped dried apples* (Activity 7 - Option 2)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon* (Activity 7 - Option 2)
• 1/3 cup butter* (Activity 7 - Option 2)
• 1/4 cup grits soaked in 1/2 cup water* (Activity 7 - Option 2)
• 1/4 tsp cloves* (Activity 7 - Option 2)
• 1/4 tsp ginger* (Activity 7 - Option 2)
• 1/8 tsp allspice* (Activity 7 - Option 2)
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg* (Activity 7 - Option 2)
• 2 eggs* (Activity 7 - Option 2)
• 2 wooden sticks (popsicle, chopsticks, etc.)
• 2/3 cup light molasses or maple syrup* (Activity 7 - Option 2)
• 3/4 tsp salt* (Activity 7 - Option 2)
• 4 cups milk* (Activity 7 - Option 2)
• brown construction paper
• bucket
• cornhusks* (Activity 7 - Option 1)
• glue or tape
• large mixing bowl* (Activity 7 - Option 2)
• rubber bands
• scissors
• small shovel or trowel
• string* (Activity 7 - Option 1)

* - denotes an optional material that may or may not be needed

Introduction