In this activity students will create a spider map that outlines the culture and tradition of the First Nations of the Eastern Woodlands region.Their maps will include the names of some of the First Nations, describe the environment of the Northeast with physical features and climate, list the natural resources available and how these were used as food and to create tools, clothing and homes. They may also describe any other cultural traditions or interesting information.
Teachers may wish for students to work together on this lesson which is possible with Storyboard That's Real Time Collaboration feature! With Real Time Collaboration, students can work on the same storyboard at the same time which is perfect for this lesson! As teachers know, collaborating on assignments allows students to think on a deeper level while increasing their communication and problem-solving skills. Collaboration can also help cut down on the time it takes to complete a storyboard. While there is no set limit to the number of users who can work on a storyboard at once, we recommend five users or fewer for optimal performance. All of our assignments default to individual. To make this lesson collaborative, teachers must enable collaboration for the assignment within the "Edit Assignment" tab.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a spider map that describes the lives and traditions of Native Americans of the Eastern Woodlands
Requirements: Names of some of the First Nations, environment (physical features and climate), natural resources, useful tools and items made from the natural resources including clothing and homes.
Engage students by leading a guided conversation about the daily life, environment, and traditions of the Eastern Woodlands peoples. This helps deepen understanding and allows students to share what they learned from their spider maps.
Write down a list of open-ended questions such as “How did the environment affect their food and homes?” or “What traditions stood out to you?” to encourage critical thinking and lively participation.
Give students roles like discussion leader, note-taker, or summarizer to ensure everyone is involved and the discussion stays focused and productive.
Remind students to listen actively and respond thoughtfully to each other’s ideas, fostering an inclusive classroom environment where every voice is valued.
After the discussion, work together to highlight main takeaways about the culture and environment of the Eastern Woodlands. This reinforces learning and helps students connect ideas.
The Eastern Woodlands region is known for its dense forests, rivers, lakes, and a moderate climate with four seasons. These physical features provided rich natural resources for Indigenous peoples living there.
First Nations of the Eastern Woodlands include groups like the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee), Algonquin, Ojibwe, and Mi'kmaq. Each group had unique traditions, languages, and ways of life shaped by the environment.
Indigenous peoples used local resources for survival: wood for homes and tools, animal skins for clothing, and plants for food and medicine. They adapted creatively to their environment using what was available.
A spider map activity asks students to visually organize key facts about the Eastern Woodlands' environment, nations, resources, and traditions. It helps students make connections and summarize learning.
Teachers can enable Real Time Collaboration in Storyboard That, allowing students to work together on the same spider map. This boosts teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills during the lesson.