The first Americans crossed into North America from Asia over a land bridge between Siberia and Alaska during the last ice age approximately 30,000 years ago. As the climate warmed, glaciers melted and sea levels rose, covering the land bridge. Some animal species like mammoths died off during this period of climate change. Native Americans adapted to their new environments across North America by developing different cultures, languages, tools and ways of life suited to the varied natural resources of places like the Northwest Coast, Great Plains, California and Eastern Woodlands. They shared some common traits like believing nature had spirits, not owning land, only using needed resources, and participating in trade.

1. America In The BeginningWho were the first Americans?This land bridge is known as _____beringia_____.Animals like mammoths crossed the bridge or _____migrated______ to the America's. This caused ocean levels to _____drop___ and expose _____land_____.In the Bering straight a _______land bridge________ appeared connecting _________Asia & America______. _______________30,000 years ago During a period of low temperatures called an ______ice age____.The world was covered in glacier_. or sheets of ice. How and why did they come here?

2. America In The BeginningWhat happened when they came to America?The ice age ended ______warming______ up glaciers causing water levels to ____rise______ covering up the _____land bridge____ ________.Some animals died off like ____mammoth________.Living in many different parts of the Americas the Natives needed to adjust or ___adapt______ to every thing in the new surrounds that made up each of their own _______environments______in order to _____survive_____. How did they meet their new needs?Hunter's in Asia who moved from place to place to find food or ______nomads_______ followed the mammoths and spread out or _____migrated______ to the America's

3. How did Native Americans adjust to the new environments?America In The BeginningDifferent groups in different environments developed their own beliefs and ways of life or _______culture________. Groups in the same environments adapted similar life styles, and language creating __cultural region___ _________.Many Native American have these things in common.1. Nature has a _spirit & believed in many gods_______.2. No one can own _____land_____.3. Only use what is _____needed_____.4. ____Trade______ was important to most societiesLiving in many different parts of the Americas the Natives used the different natural ____resources_______ in their own different environments for food, clothing, and shelter. What did they have in common?

4. 8 Cultural RegionsCaliforniaGreat BasinGreat PlainsSouth EastNorth West CoastPlateauEastern WoodlandsSouth West

5. 8 Cultural Regions

7. North West CoastWeather:long cold winterscool summersheavy rainfallNatural Resources:ocean/beachesthick forests of fir, spruce, and cedarrugged mountainsseafood/salmondeer, moose, bear, elk, beaver, mountain goats

8. CaliforniaWeather: rainy wintershot dry summersNatural Resources:ocean/coastfoothillsvalley'sdesertsmountainsacorns, oak treesgrass, and plantsredwood treessalmon/seafood/shellfishdeer, rabbits, ducks, roots berries, pine nuts

9. Great BasinWeather:little rainhot during the day cold at nightNatural Resources:mostly dessertlow areas surrounded by mountains at the edgeswith valleys that had seasonal lakes and streamsplants that need little water likegrasses, sagebrush, pinon trees, at the outer edges pine trees, and willowsmall animals rabbits, lizards, grasshoppers, snakes sometimes ducks , duck eggs during certain seasons seeds,berries pine nuts, roots, cattail

10. PlateauWeather:long cold winterscomfortable summers Natural Resources:mountains with dense forests in areasflatter in the center with drier grass landsriversdriftwood, mud, dirt,grass and sage brushfish, antelope, deer, seedsonions, carrots, camas roots, salmon

11. Great PlainsWeather:cold winters hot summersNatural Resources:mountains surrounding edgestreeless grasslands in the centereast more water and softer soilwest drier dense grassBuffalo and smaller animals

12. South WestWeather:high temperatureslittle rain dry/aridNatural Resources:mountains, canyonsdesserts, flat top mesasrivers, little waterclay, brightly colored plants, cottoncorn, beans, squash, peppers, rabbits

13. Eastern WoodlandsWeather:snowy winters , rainNatural Resources:rivers, ocean/coastlots of lakes and streamsForests, plants, maple trees, elm,deer, bears, beavers, birds, fishcorn, sunflowers, tobacco, vegetables,nuts, berries

14. South EastWeather:long warm humid summersmild wintersNatural Resources:rivers, ocean/coastFertile coastal plainsmountains, swampsTrees, clay, shells, corn, beans, squash, pumpkins, sunflowers, sweet potatoessquirrels, rabbits, turkeys, deer, alligators, turtles,wild rice, persimmons