Native American Indians

Our Study

Part One

This Summer we got a head start on American History by learning about Native American Indians. We read many books and did some fun projects.

Pictographs
 This first one is a Pictograph. Pictographs are symbols or pictures that describe an event. Pie Pie decided to draw a pool because it is one of her favorite things to do in the Summer.

Totem Poles
 This project is a Totem Pole. A Totem Pole told the village who lived in the home behind it. They served as address markers. It usually also told a history of the family. Pie Pie decorated hers with things that she likes. There is a cat, bunny, horse, pizza and a mozzarella stick!

These projects can be found in the book: Native American History for Kids: with 21 Activities by Janis Herbert.

Fry Bread

We made some Fry Bread which is still a very popular food. You can cover it with powdered sugar, honey, hot chili or salsa. They are kind of like donuts. There were very many "Yums!" from my girls because we put powdered sugar on ours.

Here is the recipe if you are interested.

Ingredients:

2 cups of flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. of salt

1Tbsp. oil

3/4 cup of water

cooking oil

Directions:

Mix dry ingredients in bowl. Add the oil and water. Dust your hands with flour to keep from getting sticky. Knead the dough until it is stretchy. Pull off a clump the size of a plum and roll it into a ball with hands. Pat dough with hands until it is flat, like a thin and flat pancake. Punch a hole in the center with your thumb. Fry the bread in a few inches of hot cooking oil. When one side turns brown, turn it over with two forks and cook the other side.

Sandpainting

The Navajos used special sandpaintings for curing diseases or praying. Sand, flower pollen or charcoal was trickled onto smooth sand. We made sand out of cornmeal and food coloring. We made the designs with glue and sprinkled the sand on.

The last two projects are from the book More than Moccasins by Laurie Carlson.

 

This is just Part One of the projects from our study about the Native American Indians. You'll have to be patient and wait for the rest!