Created byKat Anderson
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Trail of Tears: An Interactive Journey
Grade 9History3 days
★★★★★
3.0 (1 rating)Trail of TearsInteractive LearningCultural ImpactNative American HistoryArtistic ExpressionHistorical SimulationCritical Thinking
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Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we create an interactive historical experience through gaming that effectively communicates the cultural and societal impacts of the Trail of Tears on Native American tribes, considering both historical context and modern perspectives?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What was the Indian Removal Act and what impact did it have on Native American tribes?
- In what ways did the Trail of Tears impact the cultures and societies of the tribes involved?
- How did the legal and political actions of the government influence the lives of Native American tribes during the Trail of Tears?
- What challenges did Native American tribes face during their journey on the Trail of Tears, and how did these challenges affect their survival?
- How is the Trail of Tears remembered and memorialized today, and why is it important to preserve these memories?
- In what ways can art be used to communicate the historical and cultural experiences of the Trail of Tears?
- What are the long-term effects of the Trail of Tears on Native American tribes, and how have these been reflected in modern society?
- How did tribal life before removal reflect the importance of land and culture to Native American tribes?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to explain the causes and effects of the Indian Removal Act and how it led to the Trail of Tears.
- Students will analyze the cultural and societal impacts of the Trail of Tears on the Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Chickasaw, and Seminole tribes.
- Students will engage critically with historical sources, videos, and interactive simulations to understand the challenges faced by Native American tribes during the Trail of Tears.
- Students will explore and evaluate the role of art in documenting and interpreting the historical and cultural experiences of the Trail of Tears.
- Students will understand and reflect on the long-term effects of the Trail of Tears on Native American tribes and how these have influenced modern society.
- Students will discuss and engage with how the Trail of Tears is commemorated and memorialized in the United States today.
Nebraska State Social Studies Standards
SS 5.4.1
Primary
Understanding diverse cultures and their contributions to societyReason: The project involves exploring the historical and cultural impact of the Trail of Tears on Native American tribes, aligning with the understanding of diverse cultures and their contributions.
SS HS.4.1
Primary
Analyzing the interactions of different cultures over timeReason: The project requires students to analyze how different cultures, specifically Native American tribes and the U.S. government, interacted during the period of the Indian Removal Act.
Nebraska Fine Arts Standards
FA 12.2.1
Secondary
Creating art to communicate meaningReason: The project incorporates art to convey historical and cultural experiences, such as through interactive gaming or historical art slides.
FA 12.2.3
Secondary
Understanding the role of art in history and cultureReason: The project includes understanding how art has been used historically to represent cultural and historical events like the Trail of Tears.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsEscape Room: Trail of Tears Challenges
Students participate in an escape room experience where they solve puzzles based on historical scenarios from the Trail of Tears, learning about the obstacles and choices faced by Native American tribes.Interactive Map Journey
Students embark on a digital journey using an interactive map of the Trail of Tears, uncovering branching storylines and making critical decisions to understand the complexities of the trek.Storytelling Circle with Tribal Elders
Via a virtual reality setup, students sit in a virtual storytelling circle, where they hear personal accounts and oral histories related to the Trail of Tears from "tribal elders," promoting engagement with living histories.📚
Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Activity 1
Interactive Tribe Exploration
Students delve deeper into understanding specific tribes' histories by choosing which tribe to follow throughout the project. They will explore detailed slides of each tribe's pre-removal conditions and cultures.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Select a tribe (Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Chickasaw, Seminole) to focus on for the project.
2. Examine slides on the selected tribe's history, culture, and pre-removal conditions.
3. Take notes and start a cultural profile portfolio for the chosen tribe.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA cultural profile portfolio that includes detailed notes and reflections on the selected tribe's history and culture.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports SS HS.4.1 by analyzing different cultures' interactions over time.Activity 2
Decisions on the Trail Planner
Students simulate the journey on the Trail of Tears by making critical decisions at various points during a virtual journey. To understand the struggles faced, they engage with scenarios about packing essentials, managing resources, and facing environmental challenges.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Engage with an interactive map that shows the routes tribes took on the Trail of Tears.
2. Make decisions about what to pack for the journey, considering limitations and repercussions.
3. Encounter scenarios during the journey, such as weather challenges or food ration issues, and decide how to respond.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA reflective journal or diary full of entries detailing decisions made and their resulting consequences during the virtual journey.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsIntegrates SS HS.4.1 for analyzing cultural interactions and FA 12.2.1 by creating meaningful experiences through simulations.Activity 3
Health and Survival Case Study
Using historical data, students will study daily life on the Trail of Tears, focusing on the hardships of malnutrition, diseases, and weather challenges that the tribes faced. They will learn about the health crises encountered and how these shaped survival strategies.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Study slides on daily life, focusing on food rations, nutrition, and government provisions versus traditional diets.
2. Review data and personal stories about diseases and weather impacts on the journey.
3. Create a survival strategy plan that outlines actions tribes could take to improve their situation, based on historical data.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA survival strategy plan supported by historical data and personal narratives.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAims to deepen understanding as per SS 5.4.1 while using historical evidence and narratives.Activity 4
Cultural Displacement Art Project
Students express the cultural impacts of the Trail of Tears through art. They will explore historical photographs and artwork to understand displacement's effects on traditions and then create an art piece representing those impacts.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Examine historical photos and art from the period to understand the cultural impact of displacement.
2. Discuss how art has historically captured and communicated cultural experiences.
3. Create an original art piece that reflects on the cultural and societal impacts of the Trail of Tears.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn original art piece conveying the cultural effects of the Trail of Tears, accompanied by a written explanation of its meaning.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports FA 12.2.1 and FA 12.2.3 by creating art to communicate meaning and understanding the historical role of art.Activity 5
Memorialization and Modern Reflection Workshop
Students explore how the Trail of Tears is remembered and memorialized today. They investigate different memorials and engage with modern reflections from descendants to understand the long-term effects and contemporary significance.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Research different memorials of the Trail of Tears and how they are designed to preserve memories.
2. Engage with modern reflections and narratives from descendants of those who experienced the Trail.
3. Facilitate discussions on why memorialization is important and what it means to today's society.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation or report on the significance of memorials and reflections on modern perspectives of the Trail of Tears.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with SS 5.4.1 on understanding cultural contributions and ensuring historical events are remembered through SS HS.4.1.🏆
Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioTrail of Tears Interactive Experience Rubric
Category 1
Cultural Understanding and Historical Analysis
Evaluates students' ability to understand and analyze the cultural and historical impacts of the Trail of Tears on Native American tribes.Criterion 1
Understanding of Historical Context
Measures students' ability to explain the causes and effects of the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a comprehensive and detailed explanation of the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears, showing a sophisticated understanding of historical events and their impacts.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a clear and thorough explanation of the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears, including key events and impacts on Native American tribes.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic explanation of the Indian Removal Act and Trail of Tears, touching on major events and impacts but lacking depth in analysis.
Beginning
1 PointsLimited explanation of the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears, with minimal understanding of historical events and their impacts.
Criterion 2
Analysis of Cultural Impacts
Assesses students' ability to analyze the cultural and societal impacts of the Trail of Tears on the five tribes involved.
Exemplary
4 PointsAnalyzes the cultural impacts of the Trail of Tears with exceptional insight, providing detailed examples and connections.
Proficient
3 PointsAnalyzes the cultural impacts of the Trail of Tears thoroughly, with clear examples and logical connections.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic analysis of cultural impacts, with some examples but limited depth and complexity.
Beginning
1 PointsMinimal analysis of cultural impacts with few examples and little connection to historical events.
Category 2
Interactive Decision-Making and Critical Thinking
Assess students' ability to engage critically with the Trail of Tears journey through interactive decision-making processes.Criterion 1
Engagement with Interactive Map and Decision Points
Evaluates how well students make critical decisions during the interactive Trail of Tears journey simulation.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates advanced critical thinking and decision-making skills, making insightful and historically informed choices.
Proficient
3 PointsMakes effective decisions throughout the simulation, showing thorough critical thinking and understanding of historical contexts.
Developing
2 PointsMakes basic decisions in simulation, reflecting some critical thinking but occasionally missing historical accuracy.
Beginning
1 PointsShows limited decision-making skills, with decisions lacking historical relevance and critical insight.
Category 3
Artistic Expression and Cultural Communication
Measures how well students use art to express cultural and historical experiences related to the Trail of Tears.Criterion 1
Original Art Piece Creation
Evaluates the creativity and meaningfulness of original art pieces reflecting the cultural impacts of the Trail of Tears.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates an insightful, creative art piece that powerfully communicates the cultural impacts of the Trail of Tears.
Proficient
3 PointsProduces a well-crafted art piece that effectively communicates cultural impacts, showing creativity and thoughtful expression.
Developing
2 PointsProduces a basic art piece that communicates some cultural impacts, lacking in depth or creativity.
Beginning
1 PointsCreates an art piece with minimal cultural communication and lacks depth of expression.
Reflection Prompts
End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learningQuestion 1
Reflect on how participating in the "Trail of Tears: A Journey of Survival" has impacted your understanding of the cultural and societal impacts of the Trail of Tears on Native American tribes.
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Question 2
On a scale from 1 to 5, how effective do you think the interactive historical gaming experience was in conveying the historical and cultural experiences of the Trail of Tears?
Scale
Required
Question 3
What was the most challenging aspect of creating your cultural profile portfolio, and how did this challenge enhance your learning experience?
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Question 4
Select the aspects of the project you found most engaging and explain why.
Multiple choice
Required
Options
Interactive Map Journey
Storytelling Circle with Tribal Elders
Historical Photos and Art
Creating Original Art
Researching Memorials
Question 5
Reflect on the role art played in helping you understand the Trail of Tears' historical and cultural contexts. How did it influence your interpretations and emotional connection to the material?
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Question 6
In your opinion, why is it important to remember and memorialize events like the Trail of Tears, and how can these memorials shape future generations' understanding of historical events?
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Question 7
Reflect on your journey through learning about the Trail of Tears: What were the most surprising or impactful pieces of information you encountered, and why did they resonate with you?
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