Sacagawea
(1788–1812)
I
Using the Mini-Book
After introducing children to
Sacagawea, have them make
the mini-book (pages 28–29).
Then read the story together
as a class, encouraging
children to track the text
with their finger. (You
might introduce any new
vocabulary before reading.)
Later, invite children to
reread their books in small
groups, with partners, or
individually.
ntroduce children to Sacagawea in October as part of your autumn Native
American heritage celebrations. Sacagawea was born to the Shoshone
tribe in Idaho around 1788. At about 12 years of age, she was kidnapped
and taken to a Hidatsa village about 600 miles away. Several years later, she
married a French-speaking trapper and had a son.
In 1804, President Thomas Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and
William Clark to find a passage to the Pacific Ocean. The men hired
Sacagawea’s husband as an interpreter. Because Sacagawea spoke the
Shoshone and Hidatsa languages, she was also taken on the expedition. In
addition to her usefulness as an interpreter, the presence of a woman and
child signaled that the group was on a peaceful mission. Carrying her baby
the entire journey, Sacagawea contributed to the expedition by finding food
and remaining calm by offering helpful insights in the midst of exhausting
and often harrowing moments. As the party neared her homeland, Sacagawea
recognized landmarks such as a limestone formation called Beaverhead Rock.
When her tribe was located, she negotiated with a Shoshone chief—who she
recognized to be her brother—to secure horses and guides for the expedition.
Sacagawea’s role helped assure the success of the 16-month Lewis and Clark
Expedition and gave her a prominent place in American history.
On the expedition, Sacagawea helped the party find nuts, berries, and
nutritious roots to eat.
On one occasion, her husband panicked and nearly capsized a boat.
During the hubbub, Sacagawea retrieved invaluable documents and tools
that had fallen into the water.
Sacagawea’s son was the only child taken on the expedition.
Related Reading
Most historians believe Sacagawea died in 1812, although some accounts
indicate her death occurred in 1884.
In 2000, Sacagawea was featured on a one-dollar coin.
Invite children to create movements to accompany each verse in the play
(pages 30–31). If desired, ask older students or adult volunteers to help
children prepare a PowerPoint presentation that includes scenes suggested in
the play. Then project the scenes onto a wall or screen to provide a changing
backdrop for the play.
As Sacagawea traveled into the land of her childhood, she recognized
landmarks such as Beaverhead Rock. Ask children to think of landmarks
(natural ones, if possible) near their homes. Have them illustrate and write
about these landmarks to complete the activity (page 32).
Person of the Month: Famous Americans © 2011 by Karen Shelton, Scholastic Teaching Resources
27
by
She got married and had a baby boy.
Sacagawea worked hard and grew older.
Sacagawea
2
3
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Person of the Month: Famous Americans © 2011 by Karen Shelton, Scholastic Teaching Resources
to find a way to the Pacific Ocean.
sent some explorers west. He wanted them
Around that time, President Jefferson
tribe took her from her home.
American. When she was young, another
Sacagawea was a Shoshone Native
4
5
6
7
Sacagawea’s help!
back. They could never have done it without
He was the Shoshone chief! He helped
the explorers get horses and guides.
The explorers made it to the ocean and
On the trip, Sacagawea found her brother.
She was calm and brave.
She found roots, berries, and plants to eat.
them. She could help them speak to the
people they met.
Sacagawea helped in other ways, too.
The explorers asked Sacagawea to join
Person of the Month: Famous Americans © 2011 by Karen Shelton, Scholastic Teaching Resources • (page 29)
Sacagawea
Tell Me, Sacagawea
Read-Aloud Play
Characters
Boys
Girl Choruses 1–4
30
Boys:
Tell me, Sacagawea.
Where have you been?
Girl Chorus 1:
I’ve sailed on rushing rivers.
I’ve walked across the plain.
Girl Chorus 2:
I’ve hiked up rocky mountains,
in and out of pouring rain.
Boys:
Tell me, Sacagawea.
What have you seen?
Girl Chorus 3:
I’ve seen the mist of waterfalls.
I’ve seen the stars at night.
Person of the Month: Famous Americans © 2011 by Karen Shelton, Scholastic Teaching Resources
Girl Chorus 4:
I’ve seen an ocean sparkling blue.
I’ve seen the sun’s last light.
Boys:
Tell me Sacagawea.
What have you heard?
Girl Chorus 1:
I’ve heard the flap of eagle’s wings.
I’ve heard the wolf that howls.
Girl Chorus 2:
I’ve heard the waves slap rocky cliffs.
I’ve heard the call of owls.
Boys:
Tell me, Sacagawea.
Where have you walked?
Girl Chorus 3:
I’ve walked beside the five Great Falls.
I’ve climbed the highest peaks.
Girl Chorus 4:
I‘ve strolled beside a buffalo herd.
I‘ve splashed in cool, clear creeks.
Boys:
Tell me, Sacagawea.
What have you learned?
Girl Chorus 1:
I‘ve learned that there are many paths,
no matter where you stray.
Girl Chorus 2:
I‘ve learned that there are many sights
that take your breath away.
All:
I‘ve learned that there are many sights
that take your breath away!
The End
Person of the Month: Famous Americans © 2011 by Karen Shelton, Scholastic Teaching Resources
Tell Me, Sacagawea
31
Sacagawea
Name:
Date:
Activity Page
Landmarks Near Home
Sacagawea began to recognize landmarks when she got near her home.
Draw a landmark that’s near your home. Write about it.
My home is near this landmark:
This is what I know about the landmark:
32
Person of the Month: Famous Americans © 2011 by Karen Shelton, Scholastic Teaching Resources
How to Make the
Mini-Books
Materials
scissors
The mini-books require very few materials, and children can
complete them at their desk or at a learning center. To get
started, provide pre-trimmed copies of the mini-book pages—
you can use a paper cutter to cut along the dashed line on each
copy. Then demonstrate the steps below. (Or assemble the
books in advance.)
1.
Cut each reproducible
page in half along the
solid line. Then fold the
front cover/page 1 along
the dotted center line.
Keep the fold to the
right side.
2.
Repeat the folding
process for each of the
remaining page pairs:
pages 2/3, 4/5, and 6/7.
Stack the pages in order
with the cover on top
and all of the folds on
the right side.
crayons or markers
stapler
3.
Staple the pages
together along the
left edge.
Teaching Tips and Extensions
Creative Timing
With many of the Americans in this resource having ties to several seasonal observances, be
creative with the timing you choose for using these activities. For example, the unit on Susan B.
Anthony is suggested for use during Women’s History Month (March), but the activities are also
a perfect fit for pre-election days in October and November. The unit on Alexander Graham Bell
(July) might instead be used during National Inventors’ Month in August.
Multi-Use Mini-Books
Mix things up a bit with these suggestions for using the mini-books:
Mask the text of a mini-book and make a copy of the pages. Then cut out the text from
another copy. Laminate all the pieces, place them in a center, and encourage children to
match the corresponding text to each page.
6
Person of the Month: Famous Americans © 2011 by Karen Shelton, Scholastic Teaching Resources
Have children glue the mini-book pages, in sequence, to a strip of accordion-folded bulletin
board paper. Children can then unfold the strip, one section at a time, to read the story.
Highlight selected words in a mini-book and place it in a literacy center. Invite children to
search other books, materials, and displays in the center to find words that match those
highlighted in the mini-book.
Play Props and Productions
After reading through a play a few times, invite children to suggest embellishments they might
add to make the production more interesting, such as an interesting prop, a musical link, or even
an announcer to provide oral credits at the conclusion of the play. By encouraging children to
contribute to the plans and preparations for the play, they will become more fully engaged.
All-in-One Activity Pages
A class set of completed activity pages makes an interesting read. For a quick way to compile
them, hole-punch the left side of the pages and put them in a slim binder. Place the book on your
classroom bookshelves for children to enjoy.
The graphic organizers (pages
Nam
e:
9–11) can be used individually
One Special American
American Pride
Mystery
American
or with any unit in this book
to help children respond to
what they learn. After children
complete the activities on pages
USA
9 and 10, you might compile
them into a notebook, then
I wonder . . .
invite children to read and enjoy
the pages on their own. To use
the organizer on page 11, have
children fill out the page, glue
it to a 9- by 12-inch envelope, and place objects and pictures related to that famous person inside the
envelope. If desired, punch holes along the left side of the envelopes, taking care not to puncture any items
inside, and bind them in a notebook. Place the notebook in your class library to introduce a unique and
interesting book format for children to enjoy.
To extend the use of any of these graphic organizers, invite children to select, research, and
complete the activity for another American with traits similar to a person featured in this book. For
example, after filling in a graphic organizer for Abraham Lincoln, ask children to complete the same
activity for another president. Similarly, you might have them use the graphic organizers to show what they
have learned about famous Americans that can be connected to a particular national observance (such as
Women’s History Month), topic (such as explorers or inventors), or month of the year.
Name:
Date:
Graphic Organizer
Name:
Date:
Graphic Organizer
Born:
Name:
Date:
Graphic Organizer
(date)
Name:
Lived:
Ways to
describe this
American:
(where)
Birth
Born:
Best
known for:
Date:
Hom
e Pla
ce:
(city,
state)
Occupation:
(date)
Draw the person.
Draw the person.
One thing this person did:
One special thing this person
did for our country:
Another thing this person did:
Things that
made this
person special:
How this person
inspires me:
1. Choose a famous person
to learn about.
2. Read and talk about
this person.
3. Complete this page.
4. Glue this page to an
envelope.
5. Put pictures and things
inside that give clues
Person of the Month: Famous Americans © 2011 by Karen Shelton, Scholastic Teaching Resources
Person of the Month: Famous Americans © 2011 by Karen Shelton, Scholastic Teaching Resources
9
10
about who the person is.
Person of the Month: Famous Americans © 2011 by Karen Shelton, Scholastic Teaching Resources
Person of the Month: Famous Americans © 2011 by Karen Shelton, Scholastic Teaching Resources
11
7
Name:
Date:
Graphic Organizer
American Pride
Name:
Ways to
describe this
American:
Born:
(date)
Draw the person.
One thing this person did:
Another thing this person did:
I wonder . . .
Person of the Month: Famous Americans © 2011 by Karen Shelton, Scholastic Teaching Resources
9
Name:
Date:
Graphic Organizer
One Special American
Born:
(date)
Lived:
(where)
Occupation:
Draw the person.
USA
One special thing this person
did for our country:
10
Person of the Month: Famous Americans © 2011 by Karen Shelton, Scholastic Teaching Resources
How this person
inspires me:
Name:
Date:
Graphic Organizer
Mystery
American
D
Birth
Best
known fo
r:
ate:
Hom
ce:
e Pla
stat
(city,
e)
Things that
made this
person special:
1. Choose a famous person
to learn about.
2. Read and talk about
this person.
3. Complete this page.
4. Glue this page to an
envelope.
5. Put pictures and things
inside that give clues
about who the person is.
Person of the Month: Famous Americans © 2011 by Karen Shelton, Scholastic Teaching Resources
11