NAME:_________________________________________________________________
SOCIAL STUDIES – NATIVE AMERICANS – GRADED ACTIVITIES
(DUE DATE: Date of Native Americans of North America Test – 9/10/15)
DIRECTIONS: You must complete one of the following activities. Activities may be completed at
home or in-class if extra time is available. Activities will count as an 8 point homework
(formative/quiz) grade, and will be graded based upon the completion and accuracy of the components
listed in the activity description. (Turn in this sheet with your graded activity. Highlight the activity that
you have chosen on the list below.)
GRADED ACTIVITIES: (You MUST complete a total of ONE activity.)
1) Write a treaty (an agreement) between a group of settlers and Native Americans (must be at least 5 sentences.)
2) Write a two-page hand-written or one-page typed (12 pt font) biography (do not skip lines) about one of the following:
Sequoya, Geronimo, John Ross, Chief Joseph, Samoset, Tecumseh, Squanto, Pocahontas, Pontiac, Sitting Bull.
3) Write a report (at least 4 paragraphs, 3-5 sentences per paragraph) on a specific Native American tribe telling where these
Native Americans lived, what important people belonged to their tribe, what their main foods were, and what specific
customs they had.
4) Research how the Navajo Indians’ language was used in World War II. Write at least two paragraphs (3-5 sentences per
paragraph) on what you discover.
5) Make a chart showing the different Native American groups (Eastern Woodlands, Great Plains, Southwest Desert,
Northwest Coast), their different lifestyles, their different types of housing, jobs they held, the types of foods they ate,
their specific customs, and any other categories you would like to include.
6) Write a song that a warrior could sing coming back from a hunting expedition.
7) Choose one particular Native American group (Eastern Woodlands, Great Plains, Southwest Desert, Northwest Coast), and
write a chant about them explaining how they are different from the other Native American groups.
8) Make a map of North America showing where the different Native American groups or tribes lived.
9) Make a poster (may use a smaller sized paper) advertising one specific tribe. Show its weapons, its type of housing, its
land, its clothing, etc.
10)Build a longhouse, teepee, pueblo, or lodge. Write a paragraph (3-5 sentences) on why it is the best home for the
Native American group that lived in it.
11)Make one of the following: totem pole, canoe, kachina doll, Native American clothing item, shaman ceremonial mask, or
wampum belt.
12)Native Americans of the Northwest Coast practiced a custom called potlatch. When a family or tribe celebrated a happy
occasion, the invited guests – instead of being expected to bring presents – were given presents. This showed the
generosity and wealth of the hosts. Write about a time when you gave someone a present (must be at least two
paragraphs, 3-5 sentences per paragraph). What did you give? Did you make it yourself? What was the occasion? How
did it make you feel? How did it make the receiver feel?
13)Read one of the following books and write a summary about the book and what you learned about Native Americans
from the book (at least two paragraphs, 3-5 sentences per paragraph) of the story: The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth
George Speare, Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell, Sing Down the Moon by Scott O’Dell
14)Native American men, on becoming of age, would separate themselves from the tribe for a period of fasting until they
found their Manitou, or symbol. Choose a symbol for yourself. In an essay (at least two paragraphs, 3-5 sentences per
paragraph), tell what you chose, why you chose it, and what it means. Include a colored drawing of the symbol.
15)According to legend, Deganawidah, the Iroquois leader, had a vision that the warring tribes of his people would lay down
their weapons a create a lasting peace. Write your own “vision” (must be at least two paragraphs, 3-5 sentences per
paragraph) of a way to settle a conflict in school or in the world.
16)Write a paragraph (3-5 sentences) describing the scene of a meeting of the Great Council of the Iroquois League, which
met under the Tree of Peace, a magnificent white pine, to resolve disputes.
17)Write an essay (at least two paragraphs, 3-5 sentences per paragraph) explaining how the Native Americans depended on
their environment. Choose one of the Native American groups (Eastern Woodlands, Great Plains, Southwest Desert,
Northwest Coast) to write about.
18)Write a journal entry (at least two paragraphs, 3-5 sentences per paragraph) from the point of view of a young Cheyenne
growing up in the Great Plains. Include reflections on how the horse is changing the way of life of their people.
NAME:_____________________________
DATE TURNED IN:____________
SOCIAL STUDIES – NATIVE AMERICANS OF NORTH AMERICA - GRADED
HOMEWORK ACTIVITIES RUBRIC
1. GRADED ACTIVITY # ___________________
SCORE: __________/8_________
A. REQUIRED COMPONENTS
COMPLETED CORRECTLY:
2
1
0
B. ACCURACY OF CONTENT:
2
1
0
S
N
U
C. QUALITY OF WORK:
E
TOTAL POINTS: ________X 2 = ______
COMMENTS: ______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SCORING SCALE
2 = ALL CRITERIA MET 1 = PARTIAL CRITERIA MET 0 = NO CRITERIA MET
E = EXCELLENT
S = SATISFACTORY
N = NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
U = UNSATISFACTORY