Native American Lesson Plan:  Cherokee Seven Clans   

Grade Level:   5th Grade Students

Kentucky Core Content 4.1:

AH-05-2.4.1
Students will describe or explain how visual art has been a part of cultures and time periods throughout history.  Cultures: Native American

AH-05-1.4.2
Students will identify or describe how an artist uses various media and processes
Art processes: Two-dimensional - drawing
Media: Two-dimensional- crayon, pencil

Title:  Cherokee Seven Clans   
Duration:  1 week

Objective: 

  • The elementary school student will be able to work in small groups within the classroom to achieve a common goal similar to how the Cherokees have seven clans within their tribe that work together in their communities.
  • The elementary school student will have an understanding of Cherokee lifestyle and traditions.
  • The elementary school student will work within their groups and come up with their own “clan” name and symbol.

Materials and Resources:

  • Website: http://www.cherokee-nc.com/history.php?Name=Seven%20Clans
  • Handout: The Seven Clans.
  • Construction paper, pencil, crayons, and markers

 

Procedures-

Day 1             
-Talk with students about the Cherokee’s Seven Clans and how each clan contributed to the tribe as a whole.
                  -Break class into 7 groups and have them brainstorm on a “clan” name and symbol.  Ex.  Animal or plant that best represents the qualities they have or admire.
                  -After students agree on their group’s name, have students make a sign with their name and symbol and hang signs near the students’ desks.
                  -Designate each group with daily tasks that will contribute to the classroom as a whole. Ex. Clean up, distributing supplies, collecting papers, returning papers etc.
                  -Have students write in a daily reflection journal on how they contributed to the classroom and how they may help the next day.

 

Day 2-5          
-Designate daily tasks each day.
                        -Follow through with daily tasks and have students reflect in journal.
Day 5
-After students accomplish their daily tasks, have each “clan” share with the class what they have learned about working together towards a common goal of making the classroom a fun and organized environment. Ask them to compare their “clans” with those of the Cherokee.  How are they similar?  How are they different?

 

Assessment Plan-

  • Scoring scale to be determined by teacher
  • Recommended to keep in mind:

Full credit – student completes the assignment to the best of his/her ability follows each step, including working in a small group towards a common goal, coming up with a “clan” name and symbol, reflecting in a daily journal about how they contributed to their group and the classroom, developing an understanding of Cherokee lifestyle and traditions by comparing their “clan” to those of the Cherokee
Half credit – student partially completes assignment to the best of his/her ability
No credit – student does not complete assignment

 

 

 
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