Technology is a powerful tool and it provides a wealth of information and in many cases it’s free. Google Earth gave me an opportunity to express one of my passions and organize a trip without leaving the room. The topic I covered was the Native Americans and the areas explored were their origin, their contributions and their hardships. I wanted students to demonstrate their knowledge of the United States, understand life and the events in the past and how it relates to them in the future.
In many of our history books it’s written that Christopher Columbus discovered North America. However, North America was never barren and indigenous free. The Native Americans’ ancestors came from Asia and travel throughout North America. Students will learn that people migrate for many reasons and just like the people of today they move because of a need. Students will also discover the Native Americans were smart people.
When the Europeans first came to this country many reported back to their home that the Native Americans were a wild group of people, untamed. To the contrary, they were an organized tribe with excellent agricultural skills, hunting skills and a well developed society. Many of the Native Americans befriended the Europeans, taught them how to plant, hunt for food, have domestic animals and some believe they took part of the United States’ Constitution. I believe when students use their synthesizing mind some will investigate the Iroquois Confederacy and their laws and make connection to our Constitution. Unfortunately many people still did not appreciate their value and began to complain.
Lastly, through this virtual tour my students will see the cruelty that the Native Americans experienced. Former President Andrew Jackson showed he did not have a respectful and ethnical mind. I want my students to experience what the Native Americans went through and make a connection to their own personal lives. I believe once students study the Native Americans’ culture they will realize they have many things in common.
NJ Standard 6.1
