Culture of the Cherokee in Northwest Georgia

Written by: Natasha Lewis and Kellie Wolfe - Kennesaw State University, History Education

Grade & Course:
8th Grade Georgia History

Length of Lesson:
One 60-minute class period

NCSS Themes:

  1. Culture
  2. Time, Continuity, and Change.

Georgia Performance Standard(s):

SS8H1 The student will evaluate the development of Native American cultures and the impact of European exploration and settlement on the Native American cultures in Georgia.

  • Describe the evolution of Native American cultures (Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian) prior to European contact.


SS8E2 The student will explain the benefits of free trade.

  • Describe how Georgians have engaged in trade in different historical time periods.

Objectives:

The student will: 

  • research information on early Cherokee life in Georgia.
  • list examples of Cherokee culture.
  • explain the interaction between the Cherokee and the early European settlers.

Essential Question:
What is the importance of Cherokee culture in Northwest Georgia during the Mississippian period?

Assessments:
Students will be assessed upon completion of their webquest. The answers will be reviewed in class. Include as many students as possible in the discussion. At the conclusion of class students should be able to answer the essential question.

Resources and Handouts:

  • Webquest Worksheet
  • Webquest Worksheet Key
  • Computer Lab
  • Pencils

Description of Methods

Lesson Introduction and Hook Activity: 10 minutes

The lesson will begin with warm-up questions to introduce the essential question for the day. These questions will allow students to begin thinking about the topic for the lesson. The warm-up questions will also give the teacher an idea about prior knowledge the students may have about the Cherokee Nation as it pertains to Georgia history.

Warm Up Questions:

  • What is culture?
  • What do you know about the Cherokee Indians?
  • What are some characteristics of Cherokee culture?

Interactive Activity 30 minutes

The teacher will hand out the Webquest Worksheet to all students. (If desired, hand out one to every other student and have him or her work in pairs.) Explain the directions listed at the top of the worksheet. Ensure student understanding of the assignment and expectations. Proceed to the computer lab. Allow students to begin work on the assignment upon arrival.

Review 15 minutes

Review the answers to the questions on the Webquest Worksheet. Have students answer aloud when they are called upon.

Close-Exit Ticket: 5 minutes

At the conclusion of class, have students answer the essential question from the beginning of class. “”

Cherokee Culture in Northwest Georgia Webquest

Directions: Use the websites listed below to answer the corresponding questions. The worksheet is divided into three sections; you should spend about 10 minutes on each section. If you have any questions, please raise your hand.

Part One: Introduction to the Cherokee Nation.

Use the following link to answer questions 1-5. http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/northamerica/before1500/history/cherokee.htm

1 - The Cherokee Indians did not refer to themselves as “Cherokee.” What did they call themselves?

________ ________________, which means “the people of Chota”

2 - The Cherokee Indians prospered during two time periods of Native American history. What were these two time periods?

____________________ Period and ________________________ Period

3 - How did the Cherokee people survive using their resources around them?

How did the Cherokee people govern themselves? (Did they have a president? Did they vote? Did they have states?)

4 - This website mentioned that the ancestors of the Cherokee people built mounds. What do you think they used these mounds for?

Part Two: Culture of the Cherokee Nation.

Use the following link to answer questions 6-10.****Be sure to notice that this website talks about the Cherokee AND the Creek. Be sure to focus on the Cherokee people. http://www.wacona.com/words/creekcherokee/index.htm

1 - If you were a Cherokee Indian, what would you eat?
2 - What did the Cherokee people use for transportation?
3 - What would you wear if you were a member of the Cherokee tribe? Draw a picture of yourself in your Cherokee clothing. (include clothes, jewelry, decorative pieces, etc.)
4 - List 5 weapons or tools that the Cherokee would use for hunting and building.
  1. ________________________
  2. ________________________
  3. ________________________
  4. ________________________
  5. ________________________
5 - How would you describe the culture of the Cherokee compared to how you live today?
Part Three: European Contact.

YOU ARE ALMOST DONE!

Use the following link to answer questions 11-14. http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-3539&hl=y

1 - As you may know there are very few Native Americans in Georgia today. What happened and where did they go? Let’s find out!
2 - Scroll down to “English-Cherokee Trade and Alliance.” What does it tell you about the early contact between the Cherokee and English settlers? (Did they get along with each other?)
3 - The friendship between the English settlers and the Cherokee people did not last. What happened to cause this split?
4 - Scroll down to “Seven Years’ War.” What was one result of the destructive wars between the Cherokee and English settlers?

Now that you have completed your research, answer our essential question for the day…

What is the importance of Cherokee culture in Northwest Georgia during the Mississippian period?