Social Studies: Native American Cultures
Learning about diverse Native American ways of life
Social Studies: Native American Cultures
Learning about diverse Native American ways of life
Social Studies - Grade 2-3
- 1
Native American peoples lived in many different parts of North America. What does this tell us about their cultures?
Think about how people in different places may live differently.
This tells us that Native American cultures were diverse. Different groups lived in different places and had their own traditions, languages, homes, and ways of life. - 2
A group of people lives near forests with many trees. Name one material they might use to build homes and explain why.
They might use wood or bark to build homes because forests provide many trees and those materials are easy to find nearby. - 3
A group of people lives near rivers and lakes. Name one food they might eat from the water.
Think about animals that live in the water.
They might eat fish because rivers and lakes can provide fish as a source of food. - 4
Some Native American groups lived on the Great Plains, where there were wide open grasslands. How might the land have affected their way of life?
The open grasslands affected their way of life by shaping how they traveled, hunted, and found materials. People often used what the Plains provided to meet their needs. - 5
Why is it important to say Native American cultures instead of talking as if all Native Americans were the same?
Think about the meaning of the word different.
It is important because Native American peoples were not all the same. They belonged to many different nations and communities with different languages, traditions, and ways of living. - 6
Many Native American communities respected nature. Write one way people can show respect for nature today.
People can show respect for nature today by taking care of land and water, not wasting resources, and protecting plants and animals. - 7
If a community lived where the weather was very cold, how might that affect the clothes they wore?
Think about what you wear in winter.
The cold weather would affect their clothing by making warm clothes important. People would wear clothing that helped keep their bodies warm. - 8
What is one reason stories were important in many Native American communities?
Stories were important because they helped teach lessons, share history, pass down traditions, and help children learn about their community. - 9
A community grows corn, beans, and squash. What does this tell you about how people got some of their food?
Think about planting and harvesting.
This tells me that people got some of their food by farming. They grew crops to feed their community. - 10
People in one area built homes from snow, while people in another area built homes from wood. What is the best explanation for this difference?
The best explanation is that people used materials that were available in their environment. Different places had different weather and resources. - 11
Why should we learn about Native American cultures with respect and care?
Think about how we should treat all people and cultures.
We should learn with respect and care because Native American peoples are important communities with rich histories and living cultures that deserve to be understood honestly and respectfully. - 12
Name one thing that can be different from one Native American group to another.
One thing that can be different is language. Homes, clothing, food, and traditions can also be different from one group to another. - 13
How could living near the ocean help a community meet its needs?
Think about food and travel.
Living near the ocean could help a community meet its needs by providing food such as fish and shellfish and by offering water routes for travel. - 14
What does community mean?
A community is a group of people who live, work, or share life together and help one another. - 15
Write one sentence explaining what you learned about Native American cultures from this worksheet.
Use the words different, cultures, or environment in your sentence.
I learned that Native American cultures are diverse and that different communities used the land, water, weather, and resources around them in different ways.