Activity Overview
When students are learning about new peoples, understanding their background and culture is extremely important. In this activity students will create a spider map that details what they have learned about the First Nations of the California Intermountain Region. They should include the names of some of the First Nations that live in that region, describe the environment with physical features and climate, and list the natural resources available, including how these were used as food and to create useful items and homes. They may also describe any other cultural traditions or interesting information they find as they learn or research.
Students Can Collaborate!
Teachers may wish for students to work together on this lesson which is possible with Storyboard That's Real Time Collaboration feature! With Real Time Collaboration, students can work on the same storyboard at the same time which is perfect for this lesson! As teachers know, collaborating on assignments allows students to think on a deeper level while increasing their communication and problem-solving skills. Collaboration can also help cut down on the time it takes to complete a storyboard. While there is no set limit to the number of users who can work on a storyboard at once, we recommend five users or fewer for optimal performance. All of our assignments default to individual. To make this lesson collaborative, teachers must enable collaboration for the assignment within the "Edit Assignment" tab.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a spider map that describes the lives and traditions of Native Americans of the California Intermountain Region.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Write a 1-3 sentence description of each cell.
- Create an illustration that represents each event using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Requirements: Include names of some of the First Nations, environment (physical features and climate), natural resources, useful tools and items made from the natural resources including clothing and homes.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
When students are learning about new peoples, understanding their background and culture is extremely important. In this activity students will create a spider map that details what they have learned about the First Nations of the California Intermountain Region. They should include the names of some of the First Nations that live in that region, describe the environment with physical features and climate, and list the natural resources available, including how these were used as food and to create useful items and homes. They may also describe any other cultural traditions or interesting information they find as they learn or research.
Students Can Collaborate!
Teachers may wish for students to work together on this lesson which is possible with Storyboard That's Real Time Collaboration feature! With Real Time Collaboration, students can work on the same storyboard at the same time which is perfect for this lesson! As teachers know, collaborating on assignments allows students to think on a deeper level while increasing their communication and problem-solving skills. Collaboration can also help cut down on the time it takes to complete a storyboard. While there is no set limit to the number of users who can work on a storyboard at once, we recommend five users or fewer for optimal performance. All of our assignments default to individual. To make this lesson collaborative, teachers must enable collaboration for the assignment within the "Edit Assignment" tab.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a spider map that describes the lives and traditions of Native Americans of the California Intermountain Region.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Write a 1-3 sentence description of each cell.
- Create an illustration that represents each event using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Requirements: Include names of some of the First Nations, environment (physical features and climate), natural resources, useful tools and items made from the natural resources including clothing and homes.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about California Intermountain Environment and Culture
Organize engaging classroom discussions about California Intermountain First Nations
Facilitate meaningful conversations by preparing thought-provoking questions about the environment and culture of the California Intermountain First Nations. This approach helps students connect information from their spider maps and deepens understanding through peer sharing.
Encourage students to use visual aids during presentations
Support students as they present by having them display their spider maps and point to key details. Visuals make facts more memorable and increase student confidence while presenting to the class.
Assign roles for collaborative spider map creation
Divide students into small groups and assign specific research or illustration roles to each member. This ensures equitable participation and helps students focus on their strengths while contributing to the final project.
Provide sentence starters to support descriptive writing
Offer students sentence starter prompts like "One natural resource is...", "The climate is...", or "A tradition practiced by...". Scaffolding writing in this way helps all learners clearly express their ideas about the California Intermountain First Nations.
Display finished spider maps in a classroom gallery walk
Showcase student work by arranging completed spider maps around the classroom. Invite students to walk around, observe, and leave positive feedback notes, creating a sense of pride and community.
Frequently Asked Questions about California Intermountain Environment and Culture
What is the California Intermountain Region and why is it important to study its Native American cultures?
The California Intermountain Region is an area in the western United States known for its unique physical features and climate. Studying the Native American cultures of this region helps students understand how people adapted to their environment, used natural resources, and developed distinct traditions and ways of life.
Which First Nations lived in the California Intermountain Region?
Some of the main First Nations of the California Intermountain Region include the Shoshone, Paiute, Bannock, Ute, and Washo tribes. Each had unique customs and ways of using the land's resources.
How can students create a spider map to show what they've learned about California Intermountain Native Americans?
To create a spider map, students should write key topics (like tribe names, environment, natural resources, tools, clothing, and homes) in separate cells, add short descriptions, and illustrate each cell with relevant scenes or items. This helps organize and visually display their learning.
What natural resources did Native Americans in the California Intermountain Region use, and how did these shape their daily lives?
Native Americans in this region used plants, animals, and stones for food, clothing, shelter, and tools. For example, they used willow and reeds for basket-making, animal skins for clothing, and local foods like pine nuts and berries, shaping their culture and survival strategies.
How does collaborative learning help students with geography and culture assignments like this one?
Collaborative learning allows students to share ideas, divide tasks, and solve problems together. Working in groups helps deepen understanding, improve communication skills, and makes creating assignments like a spider map more efficient and engaging.
More Storyboard That Activities
Indigenous Peoples of the California Intermountain
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