Kidspiration Cultural Comparison Activity

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Overview: As part of a unit on Native Americans and Pilgrims, introduce the practices and products of the two cultures. Students will build log cabins and teepees or Hogans, make costumes, use vocabulary and Native American symbols to write stories, create art products such as pinch pots and hornbooks and sample foods associated with each culture. Complete the Kidspiration sorting activity.

Standards: Social Studies, Grade one, Cultures; #1; describe similarities and differences in the ways different cultures meet common human needs including, food, clothing, shelter, language, artistic expression.

Preparation:

Collect books about Native American and Pilgrims
Assemble materials for log cabins (Lincoln logs) teepees
Provide pattern for pilgrim collars and hats/Native American vest/headbands
Provide Native American symbols (Indian Guide books) brown paper and feather pens (attach a black crayon to a feather) for story writing
Clay for pinch pots (completed in art class)
Food samples (Thanksgiving feast)
Load the sorting template on to your computer.

Activity Steps:
After introducing the unit and conducting discussion on the two cultures
set up centers for each of the following:

a). Listening center-provide several stories on tape that reflect each of the
cultures.

b). Lincoln Logs for children to design a home (photograph each one to
post)

c). Teepees: provide template, brown paper, ric rac and toothpicks

d). Provide pattern and construction paper for pilgrim hats and
collars/headband and brown paper bags for Native American vest.
Child will trace, cut and assemble costume to wear to feast.

e). Writing: provide Native American symbols and brown paper from
which each child will write using a “feather pen” to tell a story on a
“skin.” After the story is written have the child dip the story into
water and crush it into a ball. Unfold and let the skin dry.

Computer Activity: To assess the children’s understanding of the different products of each culture have the children complete the sorting activity on the computer the following week.

Explain the sorting activity.
Each child will complete the activity by sorting the pictures into the appropriate boxes.
Print each student’s work.

Assessment: Student will correctly place 8 products in the proper boxes. ( 80 %)