The first Americans crossed into North America from Asia over a land bridge between Siberia and Alaska around 30,000 years ago during the last ice age. As the climate warmed, glaciers melted and sea levels rose, submerging the land bridge. Native Americans adapted to their diverse environments across North America by developing different ways of life and cultures to make use of the varied natural resources available to them, such as food sources, materials for shelter and clothing. However, they also shared some common traits including a spiritual connection to nature, not owning land, only taking what was needed, and participating in trade networks.

1. America In The BeginningWho were the first Americans?This land bridge is known as beringia.Animals like mammoths crossed the bridge or migratedto the America's. This caused ocean levels to drop and expose land.In the Bering straight a land bridge_____________ appeared connecting siberia (asia)& the americans.30,000 years ago During a period of low temperatures called an ice ageThe world was covered in glaciers 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 warningup glaciers causing water levels to landbridge covering up the mamoths.Some animals died off like starvation.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 enviromentsin order to _survive. How did they meet their new needs?Hunter's in Asia who moved from place to place to find food or nomadsfollowed the mammoths and spread out or migratedto 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 ___cultraul region____ _________.Many Native American have these things in common.1. Nature has a ___spirts &belives_____.2. No one can own __land________.4. Only use what is __needed (no waste)________.5. __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