Note: I know for some people this is a very personal subject. We have done our best to represent a historically accurate account of life for Native Americans. We also discussed the influence of the white settlers along with life today for those with Native American roots. But the emphasis is on the historical part when the settlers first arrived.
I do not claim to be an expert in Native American culture and I know we have had to simplify many aspects of their culture and beliefs to fit with teaching this to elementary age kids. If you do not “like” our unit for whatever reason, I’m sorry. Any harsh comments will be deleted, but I welcome constructive feedback!
Woodland Tribes History for Kids
This week we started our Native American Unit. We began talking about the Woodland Tribes. I highly recommend this book as it covers all regions with some actual pictures or artifacts from the different regions. It also touches on Native Americans today.
The woodland tribes are sometimes divided up into the Northweast Woodland Tribes and the Southeast Woodland Tribes, but for our purposes we are going to cover them all together. You can see in this map below a picture of where the Woodland tribes were located in green.
Iroquios for Kids
We started out by printing out the two Woodland tribe printable books (from the free printable below). We read through the information on the Iroquois and the Powhatan tribes.
Then the kids filled out our sheet on the Woodland tribes at a glance. (also in the free printable below)
Books to Read on the Woodland Tribes of North America
Hands on Activities for Woodland Indians
Native American Archeological Dig
We had an archaeological dig for arrowheads. I explained that one of the way we can know about ancient civilizations is when archaeologist carefully dig up remains from cities. I divided up some gardening beds and put an arrowhead in each section. The kids then began digging, trying to find their Indian arrowhead.
When everyone had found their arrowhead, we made arrows from them. I used a dowel rod which my husband made a notch in just big enough for the arrowheads. Then we wrapped twine around the arrowhead to hold it in place.
We made Native American Arrows
Next we wrapped twine around a feather at the back of the dowel. The kids thought their arrows were so cool and they had a blast trying them out in the backyard!
More Native American Woodland Tribe Activities for Kids
- Dance Friendship/Circle dance from A Kid's Guide to Native Americans History while listening to Native American music and hitting a "drum"
- Make Corn Husk Dolls – see directions
Follow our Native American Board on Pinterest!
More Hands on History Units for Kids:
- Medieval Times Unit – Middle Ages (4 weeks) begins with Life in a Castle
- Native Americans – historical unit (4 weeks) begins with Woodland Tribes
- Early Explorers Unit - (5 weeks) begins with Vikings
- Colonial America Unit Early Settlers (4 weeks) begins with Jamestown
- American Revolution Unit (4 weeks) begins with War is Brewing
- Westward Expansion Unit (3 weeks ) begins with Lewis, Clark, and Sacagawea
- President's Day Mini Unit (K-6th grade)
Download Woodland Tribe Pack
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