Unit 1: New York and Its First People
Big Idea Activity: How do people adapt to where they live?
Students may choose to include one of New York’s museums or historical sites as part of their advertisement. Encourage students to research several options and choose the one that they think will draw the most visitors. Have them explain the reason for their selection.
For more information about what New York has to offer visit this site.
Discuss each of the People Who Made a Difference with students. Ask them to explain how New York was affected by each of these people. How would the state be different if these people had never been in New York?
These websites emphasize the impact these figures had on American history and their influence in New York. Students will learn more about the People Who Made a Difference through discussion and activities.
Ask students if they think people in New York have had to adapt to their environment. What have people changed in order to live in New York? How do people change their behavior because of the environment? How did the People Who Made a Difference adapt to their environment? Discuss with students how each of these people were influenced by living in New York.
Writing Activity: Writing Activity
Students will write a 2 paragraph essay answering the Big Idea Question – How do people adapt to where they live?
1. The graphic organizer will be used to list the main ideas that will be in the essay. Complete the graphic organizer as a class or have the students complete it themselves.
2. The writing activity will focus on how geography, climate and natural resources affect how people live. Students should think about how these features affect communities in general as well as their own community specifically.
3. Once the graphic organizer has been completed by the students individually or as a group, assign the type of essay that they will write: Descriptive, Narrative or Persuasive.
New York’s landscape has changed drastically since the first Native Americans settled. During your discussion of New York’s geography, ask students to think about what New York looked like hundreds of years ago. How have settlers changed it? Also discuss the measures being taken to ensure that New York’s resources are conserved for future generations.
A Day in the Life: Young Native Americans Long Ago
Native American children of long ago helped their parents from an early age. Boys learned to hunt and fish. Girls learned to plant crops and weave baskets. Native American children also played games and looked after their younger brothers and sisters. Ask students to suggest ways in which life then was similar to and different from life today. How are the sports Native Americans played different from the sports played today?
Biography: Hiawatha
Hiawatha convinced the Iroquois groups to form the Iroquois League. The league made laws based on fairness and justice. Hiawatha’s actions showed the Iroquois the power of justice and peace. Discuss how Hiawatha showed leadership.
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