Native Heritage: Changes Since Western Expansion

Created byConnor Daniels

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Native Heritage: Changes Since Western Expansion

Grade 8Social Studies6 days

This project, titled 'Native Heritage: Changes Since Western Expansion,' engages 8th-grade social studies students in exploring the lasting impacts of Western Expansion on Native American tribes. Through key inquiry questions, diverse entry events, and structured portfolio activities, students investigate significant conflicts, roles of historical leaders, and the evolution of political and social structures from history to the present. The project emphasizes developing critical thinking, research, and communication skills while evaluating the legacy of Western Expansion on modern-day policies and Native American rights.

Western ExpansionNative American TribesHistorical ImpactConflictsKey LeadersPolitical SystemsSocial Structures

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we understand the lasting impacts of Western Expansion on Native American tribes by exploring the significant conflicts, key figures, and evolving political and social structures from history to the present day?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

What were the significant conflicts between Native American tribes and settlers during Western Expansion?
How did these conflicts impact the Native American tribes' way of life and governance?
Who were the key leaders involved during these times, and what roles did they play in the conflicts?
In what ways have the political and social systems of Native American tribes evolved since Western Expansion?
How has the legacy of Western Expansion influenced current policies and native tribes' rights in modern America?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Students will be able to identify significant conflicts between Native American tribes and settlers during Western Expansion.
Students will summarize the effects of these conflicts on Native American tribes' way of life and governance.
Students will identify key leaders and describe their roles during the Western Expansion conflicts.
Students will explore the evolution of political and social structures of Native American tribes from history to present.
Students will analyze the legacy of Western Expansion on current policies and native tribes' rights in modern America.

Custom Social Studies Standards

SS 8.4.1

Primary

I can identify significant conflicts and their causes in North America.Reason: Students need to identify conflicts between Native American tribes and settlers to understand the impact of Western Expansion.

SS 8.4.2

Primary

I can summarize the effect/impact of conflicts in North America and the impact on global and domestic policies.Reason: Students need to summarize the effect of Western Expansion on Native American tribes as part of the project.

SS 8.4.3

Primary

I can identify key leaders and summarize their role in conflicts.Reason: Understanding the roles of key leaders during Western Expansion is crucial for the project.

SS 8.3.1

Secondary

I can trace the political and social development of government in America.Reason: Exploring how political and social systems of Native American tribes have evolved aligns with tracing governmental development.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Artifact Analysis Mystery Box

Present students with a mystery box containing replicas of historical artifacts, treaties, and documents related to Western Expansion and Native American tribes. Challenge students to investigate and piece together the narrative these artifacts tell about historical and current realities, fostering inquiry-based learning through a tangible connection to history.

Tribe Revival Festival

Kick off the project with a festival celebrating Native American culture, including traditional music, dance, and crafts, along with informative booths about historical and modern-day realities of different tribes. This event can inspire students to explore the impact of historical changes and their connection to today's cultural expressions.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Leader's Legacy Biography

Students will write a biography on a key leader from the Western Expansion period, focusing on their role in conflicts and the lasting impact they made. This activity sharpens research and writing skills while fostering a deeper understanding of individual contributions to history.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Select a key leader from the Western Expansion period who played a significant role in conflicts.

2. Research the leader's life, focusing on their contribution to the conflicts and impact on Native American or settler communities.

3. Write a biography that includes the leader's significant actions, challenges faced, and their legacy today.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA well-researched biography of a key historical figure involved in Western Expansion conflicts.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with SS 8.4.3 by identifying key leaders and summarizing their roles in conflicts.

Activity 2

Policy Impact Debate

Students will engage in a debate on the legacy of Western Expansion and its influence on current policies and Native American tribes' rights. This activity promotes critical thinking and articulation of informed opinions based on researched facts.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Research current policies and rights of Native American tribes influenced by the legacy of Western Expansion.

2. Formulate arguments either supporting or opposing these policies based on historical and contemporary evidence.

3. Participate in a structured debate, presenting arguments and counterarguments to peers.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityParticipation in a classroom debate articulating views on the influence of Western Expansion on current policies.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports understanding of historical legacies and their impact on modern policies, tying back to SS 8.4.2 and extending analytical skills beyond specific events.

Activity 3

Conflict Chronicles Exploration

Students will explore the significant conflicts between Native American tribes and settlers during Western Expansion by creating a timeline. They will examine the causes, key figures involved, and impact of each conflict. This activity will help students visually organize historical events and understand their sequences.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Research major conflicts between Native American tribes and settlers during Western Expansion.

2. Identify the causes and key figures involved in each conflict.

3. Create a timeline that includes dates, a brief description, and visual elements like images or symbols representing each event.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed timeline illustrating significant conflicts, their causes, and key figures.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with SS 8.4.1 by aiding in the identification of significant conflicts and their causes.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Western Expansion Project Rubric

Category 1

Research and Understanding

Assessment of student's ability to conduct thorough research and demonstrate understanding of historical events and figures related to Western Expansion.

Criterion 1

Historical Research Quality

Measures the depth and accuracy of historical research conducted by the student.

Exemplary

4 Points

The research is thorough, leveraging multiple sources, and demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of historical events and figures.

Proficient

3 Points

Research is complete and uses several credible sources to convey a clear understanding of historical events.

Developing

2 Points

Research demonstrates a basic understanding with limited sources, and some inaccuracies may be present.

Beginning

1 Points

Research is minimal with significant inaccuracies and reliance on a single or unreliable sources.

Criterion 2

Understanding Historical Impact

Measures the student's ability to analyze the impact of Western Expansion on Native American tribes.

Exemplary

4 Points

Shows an exceptional ability to connect historical events with their impacts, providing comprehensive analysis.

Proficient

3 Points

Effectively connects history to its impacts with clear analysis.

Developing

2 Points

Attempts to connect historical events to impacts but lacks depth.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to connect historical events with impacts, analysis is superficial.

Category 2

Critical Analysis and Argumentation

Assessment of student's ability to engage in critical analysis and present well-formed arguments regarding the consequences of Western Expansion.

Criterion 1

Argument Development

Measures the coherence and persuasiveness of arguments developed in the debate or written activities.

Exemplary

4 Points

Arguments are exceptionally coherent, persuasive, and well-supported with historical evidence.

Proficient

3 Points

Arguments are coherent, persuasive, and supported with appropriate evidence.

Developing

2 Points

Argumentation is present but lacks coherence or sufficient evidence.

Beginning

1 Points

Attempts argumentation but lacks structure and evidence, leading to weak persuasion.

Criterion 2

Critical Thinking

Evaluates the ability to critically assess information and develop insights into historical events.

Exemplary

4 Points

Critically assesses information with depth, providing innovative insights and interpretations.

Proficient

3 Points

Shows effective critical thinking, providing logical insights and interpretations.

Developing

2 Points

Shows some critical thinking but lacks depth and clarity in insights.

Beginning

1 Points

Limited critical thinking with superficial insights and interpretations.

Category 3

Communication and Presentation

Evaluation of student's ability to effectively communicate and present information through written and oral format.

Criterion 1

Clarity and Organization

Assesses how clearly and logically the student presents information in both written and oral formats.

Exemplary

4 Points

Information is presented in an exceptionally clear and organized manner, enhancing understanding and engagement.

Proficient

3 Points

Information is clear and organized, facilitating understanding.

Developing

2 Points

Presents information with some clarity but lacks full organization.

Beginning

1 Points

Information is unclear and poorly organized, impeding understanding.

Criterion 2

Engagement and Delivery

Evaluates the student's ability to engage the audience effectively and deliver information persuasively.

Exemplary

4 Points

Engages audience thoroughly with dynamic delivery and persuasive communication.

Proficient

3 Points

Effectively engages audience with clear delivery and communication.

Developing

2 Points

Some engagement with audience, delivery lacks confidence.

Beginning

1 Points

Limited audience engagement, delivery is ineffective and lacks clarity.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

What was the most surprising thing you learned about the impact of Western Expansion on Native American tribes?

Text

Required

Question 2

How well do you think you understood the role of key leaders in the conflicts during Western Expansion?

Scale

Required

Question 3

In your opinion, how effectively did the historical events of Western Expansion translate into the current policies affecting Native American tribes?

Multiple choice

Required

Options

Very effectively

Somewhat effectively

Neutral

Somewhat ineffectively

Very ineffectively

Question 4

Describe how participating in activities like Artifact Analysis Mystery Box and the Policy Impact Debate helped you understand the complexities of Native American history.

Text

Required

Question 5

On a scale from 1 to 5, how confident are you in your ability to explain the effects of Western Expansion on both historic and modern Native communities?

Scale

Required