Release week March 26, 2007: The Americas

Standards

·        Social Studies: Students will find photos of people wearing clothes that define their status.

·        Social Studies: Students will learn about Native American clothing.

·        Social Studies: Students will research how animal skin is made into leather.

Activities

1.     Use the News: Hundreds of years ago, indigenous Americans wore various types of clothes to show their place of power within their communities. A chief, a ruler, a warrior and a normal tribeswoman dressed very different from one another. Find photographs in the newspaper that show people in current times displaying their status. What does a mayor or the president wear? What does a CEO wear? Is it different from a clerk in a store? How? What about a college student? Why are they dressed differently?

2.     What is a breechcloth or leggings? Native Americans had special clothing for different activities and occasions. Examine (http://www.native-languages.org/clothing.htm or http://www.native-languages.org/kids.htm to learn more about their clothing and regalia. Be sure to click on the links to see photos of historical clothes as well as examples of modern clothing made by Native American designers.

3.     How is buckskin or leather made? Most people of the Americas used animal hides for much of their clothing. A process called tanning is used to prepare the skin. Do some research to learn about this process as it was practiced in ancient times, as well as modern techniques. Here’s a Web site to get you started -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leather_tanning#Ancient_methods_of_tanning .

World of Wonder meets many state educational standards. This guide helps teachers identify standards and related activities generally intended for grade 6, but teachers can modify activities to the appropriate grade level.