Pre-Columbian Native Americans
We tend to think of American history beginning with the first voyage of Christopher Columbus to the New World in 1492. In reality, it was not a new world, in fact people had been living there for thousands of years. Many civilizations had sprouted and thrived in fertile North America.
Our first area of study in 8th grade social studies features Pre-Columbian Native American civilizations. We will study the geographic, economic, social and political aspects of several tribes from the different culture areas. During this unit we will collect, organize, analyze, and interpret information. Then we will make an evaluation of Pre-Columbian Native American civilizations, synthesizing an essay to answer the question, "Were Pre-Columbian Native Americans worthy of respect?"
Step one in this unit will be to complete the Hunters Move to America Map
Step two in this unit will be to Begin working on: Physical Map of North America.
Step three: complete a Native American culture area map
Step four: choose a Native American culture area to research
Step five: complete graphic organizer for economic, social, political, and geographic aspects of culture area
Step six: complete Outline for essay
Step six: complete Outline for essay
Step seven: Write the 5-paragraph essay
Step eight: Score your essay on the rubric
