1. CONSTRUCTING A NATIVE AMERICAN PROJECT OF YOUR OWN
Dear Students and Families,
Time to show your learning and creativity! You are being asked to create a Native American
project. This social studies project is a two-part project that relates to our unit on Native Americans.
You have learned about the Native Americans who lived in the South west, the Woodlands, the
Great Plains, and West. We learned about many types of Native American homes like pueblos,
wigwams, longhouses, lodges, and teepees. Additionally, we discussed many of the cultural
practices of the Native Americans used like kachina dolls, wampum, coup sticks, winter counts, and
totem poles. For this project, you are going to create your own Native American project. It could be
a home or one of cultural items listed above that we learned about. You get to make the choice!
The first part of the project is construction. Choose one item to construct. Your Native
American project must be “original” and three-dimensional. I encourage you to be creative with
your materials. Consider using materials such as fabric, clay, food, and natural materials like mud
and sticks instead of construction paper. Remember you should keep your Native American project
a reasonable size so you can transport it to school. I recommend you build your home to be no
larger than a shoe box.
For the second part of your project, you must do some research on the home/cultural item
you chose and present your project and research to the class. You will give an oral presentation to
the class to show us your creation and share your research. If you choose, you may use note cards to
help you with your oral presentation. If you would rather prepare your oral presentation in a Power
Point show, you may, but you must email me your file or bring it on a flash drive.
You will be graded on your oral presentation and the Native American project you create.
The Native American home and presentation are due on:
Tuesday, OCTOBER 15, 2013.
Please let me know if you have any questions or are in need of any materials to complete this
project. I can’t wait to see what you construct!
Have fun and be creative,
Mrs. Kelemen 
Here is how your project will be scored:
Native American Project Rubric
Evidence of effort and time spent on project 3 Points
Authenticity of replica 3 Points
Creative Materials Used & Neatly Prepared 3 Points
Project turned in on time 2 Points
Label your name and identify your home/item 2 points

2. Research and information to include in your oral presentation:
1. Identify your Native American project and the materials used to create it
(remember to include natural resources used to build or create it ):
(2 points)
2. Identify the name of the Native American group of people who lived in or
used your project: (1 point)
3. Tell where the group can be found geographically in the USA (ex: state)
and describe the land and climate: (3 points)
4. Tell how and why this item was used by this Native American group:
(2 points)
How:
Why:
5. What other unique or interesting facts did you learn about this topic?
(At least two details are needed.) (2 points)
a.
b.
6. Reflect on this project. Example: Discuss what you enjoyed doing most;
share ideas about a part of the project that may have been difficult for
you. (2 points)

3. Student Name: _________________________________________________________
Scoring Rubric: Native American Project
Native American Project:
Evidence of effort and time spent on project ___________ / 3 Points
(3= exceptional ; 2= good work; 1= more effort needed)
Authenticity of replica ___________ / 3 Points
(3= exceptional ; 2= good work; 1= more effort needed)
Creative Materials Used & Neatly Prepared ___________ / 3 Points
(3= exceptional ; 2= good work; 1= more effort needed)
Project turned in on time ___________ / 2 Points
Label your name and identify your home/item ___________ / 2 points
Social Studies: Total: + __________ / 13 Points ________________
Oral Presentation:
 Native American project is properly identified ___________ / 1 point
 Accurate identification of materials and natural resources used ___________ / 2 points
 Name of the Native American group of people who lived in or used your project is
provided ___________ / 1 point
 Description of where geographically in the USA is given ___________ / 1 point
 Description of land and climate is given ___________ / 2 points
 Description is given telling how and why this item was used by this Native American
group ___________ / 2 points
 Two or more unique or interesting facts are given ___________ / 2 points
 A thoughtful reflectionof the project is provided. ___________ / 2 points
 Student’s voice is clear and easily heard ___________ / 3 Points
 Student shows good posture and eye contact ___________ / 2 Points
Writing & Communications Grade: Total: +___________ / 18 points ___________