by Mindy Ramon

Overview | Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion


 

Overview:
Grade Levels: 4th or 5th

Content Areas: Social Studies, Science and Language Arts

QCCs for 4th grade:

  • Describes the impact of climate and physical environment on the lifestyles of American Indians

  • Discusses causes and possible solutions for pollution. Identifies types of pollution, such as air pollution, water pollution and noise pollution, and discusses how overpopulation contributes to pollution.

  • Describes relationships in living communities, changes that occur, and the impact of these changes.

  • Demonstrates comprehension when reading a variety of literary forms

  • Reads a variety of materials for information and pleasure.

  • Recognizes EXPLICIT main ideas, details, sequence of events, cause-effect relationships in fiction and nonfiction.

  • Works in a group, following set rules of procedure to complete an assigned task.

  • Uses oral language for different purposes: to inform, to persuade, and to entertain.

QCCs for 5th grade:

  • Explains the economic and social changes that came about in the late 19th century as a result of the growth and expansion

  • Describes changes impacting American Indian tribes in the American West during the last half of the 19th century

  • Reads for a variety of purposes in different kinds of texts.

  • Recognizes EXPLICIT main ideas, details, sequence of events and cause-effect relationships in fiction and nonfiction.

  • Applies correct principles of grammar, parts of speech, and usage and mechanics.

  • Uses available technology to assist in writing.

  • Works within a group, following set rules of procedures to complete an assigned task.

  • Uses oral language for different purposes: to inform, to persuade, and to entertain.

Introduction:

It's 1855 and the leader of the Suquamish tribe, Chief Seattle, has been asked to meet with the new Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Governor Stevens about the land that he and his people currently reside on in the Pacific Northwest. Governor Stevens would like for the land that Seattle an his people live on to be signed away to white settlers. Chief Seattle has asked asked for your help to convince the government that they will be destroying the environment by taking over the land and developing there. If you are successful in changing Governor Stevens' mind,  Chief Seattle will give you 10 acres of land on the beautiful Puget Sound.

Task:
Chief Seattle has formed a committee of environmental experts to present arguments at the treaty negotiations meeting. This special committee will consist of environmental experts in the areas of forestry, water and air quality.

As on one of the environmental experts your job it to gather facts about your issue. You are to explain to the government why the Pacific Northwest Indians value that natural resource and how will it change once the white men move in.

You and the other experts on your committee will combine the information gathered and create a presentation using PowerPoint. Your presentation should persuade the government to see things your way and decide not to take the land from you. You are scheduled to meet with the Commissioner of Indian Affairs in 2 weeks, so you must work quickly!

Here are the experts' assignments:

1. Forestry Expert- In your statement to Governor Stevens identify why the forests are so important to your tribe and describe what will happen to the forests and environment when your land is taken over by the white settlers.

2. Water Quality Expert- You are your tribe rely on the clean water of the Puget Sound for several reasons. Explain these reasons to Governor Stevens and state to him the negative effects the development in your area will have on the water quality.
 
3. Air Quality Expert- Clean air has always been a precious to the people of the Suquamish tribe. In your arguments to Governor Stevens, convince him that when the white men take over your land the air quality will decrease and explain why.

 

Resources:

Use these websites to do your research.

 

Process:

  1. We will count off by 3s. Based on your number that will determine which expert you will play the part of.  1= Forest   2=Water   3=Air

  2. Research your area using the above websites.

  3. Record your finds on the fact-gathering form.

  4. Discuss with the other members of your group the information that you have collected.

  5. Develop a storyboard for your presentation.

  6. Create your presentation using PowerPoint.

  7. Self assess your presentation using the checklist.

  8. Make your presentation to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

Evaluation:

The teacher will assess the students' PowerPoint presentation using a rubric. The students in the class will also vote for the group they think presented the most convincing arguments.

Conclusion:

 

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