AIH-4: Utah Indian - Future Changes

Summary

Students will discuss and share ideas on how they think the Utah Indian tribes will change in the future.

Materials

Background for Teachers

This is the fourth of four lessons in the Fourth Grade American Indian History Lesson Plan Unit:

• AIH-1: Life for the First Inhabitants
• AIH-2: Five Utah Indian Tribes
• AIH-3: Utah Indian Contributions
• AIH-4: Utah Indian - Future Changes

The Indian tribes of Utah have faced many challenges. Their way of life, culture and language have experienced changes since in westward movement of people into Utah. The purpose of this lesson is to have students examine changes the tribes have experienced and then look to the future and predict what changes may occur.

Teacher Resources:

• Native Americans and the Clash of Cultures: Then and Now by Peter N. Herndon

Instructional Procedures

Essential Question: What changes will come in the future?

1. Using the Comparison Information chart (pdf), discuss with students the changes the Utah tribes have experienced since the westward movement of pioneers into Utah.
2. Students will complete the Then and Now Venn Diagram (pdf).
3. As groups or individuals, students will discuss and share ideas of how they think the Utah Indian tribes will change in the future.
   • Language -- as a group discuss the Native American Language Comparison handout to see how the languages are different.
   • Culture
   • Education
   • Land
   • Diversity
   • Arts
   • Population
   • Cause and Effect chart: relate the reading strategy by giving an example of cause and effect. Use a children's picture book to show cause and effect. Reading Strategies from Tamara Jetton reading strategy learned during Reading 1st Training.
4. Students will read one of these books:
   • 1621: A New look at Thanksgiving by Catherine O'Neill Grace ISBN 0-7922-7027-4 (National Geographic for ages 8-12)
   • Sunpainters, Exclipse of the Navajo Sun. Written and Illustrated by Baje Whitethorne. ISBN I-893354-33-4
   • Navajo Long Walk. Bruchac, Joseph ISBN 0-7922-7058-4
   • Why the North Star Stands Still and other Indian Legends. William R. Palmer ( Paiute stories) To order call 1-800-635-3959 or email znha@infowest.com
   • Coyote and Louse Story story told by Don Mose, Jr. English/Navajo San Juan School District
   • Coyote and the Lizards story told by Don Mose, Jr. English/Navajo San Juan School District
   • Coyote Tosses the Stars story told by Don Mose, Jr. English/Navajo San Juan School District
5. Students will then prepare a book report or class oral presentation about the book and what lessons were learned in the book about diversity, culture and changes.

Bibliography

Utah State Office of Education
Social Studies Enhancement Committee
American Indian History

Lesson Plan Writers:

• Venita Tavepont - Ute
• Gennie Kirch
• Don Mose - Navajo
• Loya Arrum - Ute
• Judy Wedgeland
• Candice Turpin
• Eileen Quintana - Navajo

Under the Direction of the Indian Education Specialist, Shirlee Silversmith. Special thanks to Dolores Riley.