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Buffalo and Native Tribes: A Second-Grade Exploration

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Tamara Gonzales

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Buffalo and Native Tribes: A Second-Grade Exploration

Learn about settlers, bison, Native tribes

In this engaging lesson, students will learn about how settlers nearly exterminated bison and disrupted the lives of many Native American tribes. Using a mix of game-based learning, experiential learning, and collaborative activities, students will gain a deeper understanding of this historical period. This lesson is important as it fosters an appreciation for history and empathy toward different cultures, providing context for the lasting impact of these events.

Audience

Second Grade

Time

60 Minutes

Approach

Game-Based Learning, Experiential Learning, Blended Learning, Inquiry-Based Learning, Active Learning, Collaborative Learning

Materials

Reading Handout: Bison and Native Tribes, Worksheet: Settlers and Bison, Discussion Questions, Activity Instructions, Exit Ticket, Quiz: Settlers and Bison, Answer Key, and Dry Erase Boards and Markers

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

  • Begin with a brief storytelling session about bison and Native American tribes before settlers arrived.
  • Show related pictures and discuss briefly.
  • Introduce the lesson objectives to the students.

Step 2

Reading Handout

10 mins

  • Distribute the reading handout titled "Bison and Native Tribes" to students.
  • Read through the handout together, stopping to explain difficult words and concepts.
  • Engage ELL students by using visuals and simple explanations.

Step 3

Worksheet Activity

10 mins

  • Provide students with the worksheet "Settlers and Bison".
  • Allow them time to complete the worksheet individually.
  • Encourage students to ask questions if they need help.

Step 4

Collaborative Activity

15 mins

  • Organize students into small groups.
  • Provide each group with a dry erase board and markers.
  • Give them a scenario to act out related to bison and Native tribes (e.g., a group of settlers arriving).
  • Encourage groups to present their scenarios to the class.

Step 5

Discussion

10 mins

  • Ask discussion questions from the "Discussion Questions" handout.
  • Facilitate a group discussion and encourage students to share their thoughts.
  • Use guiding questions to help students elaborate and understand the topic more deeply.

Step 6

Exit Ticket

5 mins

  • Distribute the exit tickets.
  • Ask students to answer the question "Why were bison important to Native American tribes?"
  • Collect the tickets to assess understanding.

Step 7

Closure

5 mins

  • Summarize the key points of the lesson.
  • Answer any remaining questions.
  • Thank students for their participation.
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Reading

Bison and Native Tribes Reading

A brief reading handout focused on the relationship between bison and Native American tribes before and after settlers arrived.

Bison and Native Tribes

Long ago, before settlers arrived in America, vast herds of bison roamed freely across the plains. Native American tribes, such as the Sioux and Cheyenne, relied on bison for many aspects of their lives. Bison provided them with food, clothing, and materials for making tools and shelters. These tribes respected bison and saw them as a vital part of their culture.

When settlers began arriving, they hunted bison excessively for their hides and meat. This nearly exterminated the bison population, causing great hardship for Native American tribes. Many tribes struggled to adapt as their primary resource dwindled. Despite these challenges, Native American tribes showed resilience and found new ways to sustain their communities.

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Worksheet

Settlers and Bison Worksheet

This worksheet helps students explore the impact settlers had on bison and Native American tribes.

Why were bison important to Native American tribes?

Think about how they used bison for food, clothing, and tools.







What happened to the bison when settlers arrived?

Consider what settlers did to the bison population.







How did the near extinction of bison affect Native American tribes?

Think about the challenges tribes faced when they couldn't rely on bison anymore.







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Quiz

Settlers and Bison Quiz

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Answer Key

Settlers and Bison Answer Key

The answer key for the Settlers and Bison Quiz, providing clear and concise answers.

Which animal did Native American tribes rely on for their needs?

Bison
Native American tribes relied heavily on bison for food, clothing, and materials.

What did settlers do to the bison population?

Hunted them excessively
Settlers hunted bison excessively, nearly wiping out the population.

How did the near extinction of bison impact Native American tribes?

It caused significant hardship
The near extinction of bison caused significant hardship for Native American tribes as they lost their primary resource.

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Discussion

Bison and Native Tribes Discussion

Discuss the impact of settlers on bison and Native American tribes. Encourage students to think critically and share their thoughts.

How do you think Native American tribes felt when bison started disappearing?

Encourage students to think about the emotional and practical impact on the tribes.







What can we learn from the way Native American tribes used and respected bison?

Guide students to consider the importance of respect for nature and sustainable living.







How do you think the history of bison and Native American tribes can help us today?

Encourage students to think about lessons on conservation, respect for cultures, and resilience.







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Quiz

Bison Exit Ticket

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Reading

Activity Instructions

Instructions for the collaborative activity where students act out scenarios involving settlers and Native tribes.

Collaborative Activity Instructions

In this activity, students will work in small groups to act out a scenario involving settlers and Native tribes.

  1. Divide students into small groups.
  2. Provide each group with a dry erase board and markers.
  3. Assign each group a scenario (e.g., a group of settlers arriving and encountering Native tribes).
  4. Give groups 5 minutes to plan their act and draw relevant scenes on the dry erase board.
  5. Have each group present their act to the class.
  6. Discuss each presentation and relate it back to the lesson objectives.
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