Indian Land Tenure Curriculum

Achievement Goal: Identify things, buildings, or landmarks in the community and the land around it that tell a story about the community’s history.

Time: Multiple class periods

Core: Science, Cultural Arts

Background: A long time ago, peoples’ homes and special places were not identified with a street address. People remembered where places were using stories, memories, and other landmarks or places. In this lesson, students will find and research the oldest landmark or structure in a community or certain area. Learning more about this landmark and speaking to elders, they will uncover interesting stories about their community and how that community is special to the people who live there.

Preparation:

Review the lesson plan “Find the Oldest” at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/newyork/laic/lessons/e1_t2-lp.html. You may want to research old man-made landmarks in the area to help the students generate ideas about what landmarks they should research and what resources are available at the local library, historical society, or city hall. Before the class discussions, you may want to assign to the students the task of asking their parents or grandparents what they think the oldest man made structure is in their community.
Invite an elder to speak to the children about an old building or structure. Remind students about how one respectfully listens to an elder.

Student Activity:

Have the students research the oldest structures in the community in groups. Have them present their findings in class and determine which community structure is the oldest.
Have an elder speak to the students about a particular building or a landmark. Ask the elder to share their memories of the building or landmark and relate it to events that have happened in the community.

Evaluation:

Evaluate the students on their group research skills. Evaluate the completeness of the information they present to the class.
Evaluate the listening skills of the students while they are being spoken to by the elder.

Resources:

PBS Kids, Learning Adventures in Citizenship, http://www.pbs.org/wnet/newyork/laic/lessons/e1_t2-lp.html.


	Indian Land Tenure Curriculum > 3-5 Curriculum > Standard 1 > Lesson 5
		Achievement Goal: Identify things, buildings, or landmarks in the community and the land around it that tell a story about the community’s history. Time: Multiple class periods Core: Science, Cultural Arts Background: A long time ago, peoples’ homes and special places were not identified with a street address. People remembered where places were using stories, memories, and other landmarks or places. In this lesson, students will find and research the oldest landmark or structure in a community or certain area. Learning more about this landmark and speaking to elders, they will uncover interesting stories about their community and how that community is special to the people who live there. Preparation: Review the lesson plan “Find the Oldest” at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/newyork/laic/lessons/e1_t2-lp.html. You may want to research old man-made landmarks in the area to help the students generate ideas about what landmarks they should research and what resources are available at the local library, historical society, or city hall. Before the class discussions, you may want to assign to the students the task of asking their parents or grandparents what they think the oldest man made structure is in their community. Invite an elder to speak to the children about an old building or structure. Remind students about how one respectfully listens to an elder. Student Activity: Have the students research the oldest structures in the community in groups. Have them present their findings in class and determine which community structure is the oldest. Have an elder speak to the students about a particular building or a landmark. Ask the elder to share their memories of the building or landmark and relate it to events that have happened in the community. Evaluation: Evaluate the students on their group research skills. Evaluate the completeness of the information they present to the class. Evaluate the listening skills of the students while they are being spoken to by the elder. Resources: PBS Kids, Learning Adventures in Citizenship, http://www.pbs.org/wnet/newyork/laic/lessons/e1_t2-lp.html.

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