USI.3 ~ First Americans

The student will demonstrate knowledge of how early cultures developed in North America by:

 a)   locating where the American Indians (First Americans) settled, with emphasis on Arctic (Inuit),   
       Northwest (Kwakiutl), Plains (Sioux), Southwest ( Pueblo ), and Eastern Woodland (Iroquois);

 b)   describing how the American Indians (First Americans) used their environment to obtain 
       food, clothing, and shelter.

 

Where did the American Indians (First Americans) live in North America prior to the arrival of Europeans?  
Describe their environments.
 

 
Tribe
Region
Climate
Shelter
Food 

Clothing
Inuit
Alaska and Northern Canada 
(Arctic Region)
see #2 on map
Arctic area where the temperature is below freezing most of the year
 
-igloos made of 
ice blocks 
(in winter)

-hunted reindeer -fished sea animals

-made from animal fur and feathers
Kwakiutl
Pacific Northwest Coast 
(Northwest Coast Region)
see #1 on map
rainy, mild climate
-plank houses 
made of cedar 
and logs
 
-fished
-clams
-waterfowl
-salmon
 

-used resources available from their natural environment
(plants, 
animal skins, 
natural fibers)
Sioux
The Great Plains, which is the interior of the United States 
(Great Plains Region)
see #4 on map
dry grassland
-tepees made of buffalo hides
 
-hunted buffalo
(used all 
of the parts)
 

-used resources available from their natural environment
(plants, 
animal skins, 
natural fibers)
Pueblo
Southwest United States in present-day New Mexico and Arizona 
(Southwest Region)
see #3 on map
desert areas and areas that border cliffs and mountains
-adobes made of dried mud or clay, stone or bricks
-multi-family 
cliff dwellings

 

-hunted rabbit, deer, elk
-farmed 
-irrigated land
-corn
-beans
-squash

 

 -used resources available from their natural environment
(plants, 
animal skins, 
natural fibers)
Iroquois
Northeast North America in the Eastern Woodland (Eastern Woodlands Region)
see #5 on map
many forests
-longhouses 
made of wood
-corn
-beans
-deer
-beaver
-bear
-opossum

-used resources available from their natural environment
(plants,
animal skins,
natural fibers)

Check out these websites for more information:

USI.3 ~ Native Americans PowerPoint

USI.3 PowerPoint and "Movies" ~ Scroll Down to Week 2

How did geography and climate affect the way American Indians (First Americans) met their basic needs?
 

The American Indians (First Americans) fished, hunted, and harvested crops for food.   

Clothing was made from animal skins and plants.    

Shelter was made of resources found in their environment (e.g., sod, stones, animal skins, wood).

 
Review Activities

First Americans Pop-ups   ~   First Americans Jeopardy    ~    First Americans Hangman    ~    Test

~

First American Tribes    ~    Geography and First Americans Rags to Riches     ~    Native American Groups