Stations Teachers Guide

This file contains the materials needed to help students learn about the

interactions between Americans and Native Americans from 1850-1900.

There are 4 stations: The Nez Perce tribe, the Sioux tribe (including Little

Bighorn and Wounded Knee), the Apache tribe, and the Assimilation of Native

Americans. This activity contains the essential knowledge from Virginia SOL

USII.4A and is primarily designed for middle school (7th grade) students.

These differentiated stations have students use secondary sources (readings

and videos) to complete a series of activities, including creating timelines and

organizing the main ideas of the passage into a web. The guided reading

questions and activities help ensure that struggling readers can make sense of

the content and the “choice” extension activities challenge high achievers.

For each station there is an instructions page, any readings and/primary

sources required for the station, and student worksheets. When assembling

stations, I place the materials for each station in a folder. I staple the

instructions to the folder so they do not get lost. Students can get worksheets

at the beginning of the lesson or they can be placed at each station.

There is are two formative assessments included that allow the teacher to

check for student understanding. There is a quick matching activity that I

usually assign for homework. Additionally, there is a cut and glue graphic

organizer on the last two pages. Each student should get half of this page (the

activity is two to a page). As the instructions state, the students cut out each

box and organize them according to what station they describe. I usually

model how the page should look on the board. As students begin gluing their

boxes down, I walk around and choose students with the correct answer to

write it on the board.

There are answer keys included for each reproducible activity. Please let me

know if you find any typos or mistakes so I can rectify them!

All images are from Wikimedia commons unless otherwise stated.

Station 1:

Nez Perce Instructions:

1. Read the passage at your table together as a

group.

2. Look through the pictures in your folder.

3. Use the map and pictures to answer the guided

reading questions in your notebook.

4. Choose one of the following activities to

complete:

Draw a postcard to a family member that describes the new area you are relocated to.

Draw a cause/effect diagram that shows what happened to the Nez Perce.

Explain how the climate would affect the tribe that was relocated.

Nez Perce Reading

Since John Smith landed at Jamestown in 1607, new settlers began

creating treaties, or agreements, with Native Americans. These treaties would

say what land belonged to settlers and what belonged to the Indians. As more

and more people began to move west, the government would have to

negotiate new treaties. In 1851 the Indians Appropriations Act had a new

solution; it would set aside land in Oklahoma for the tribes. This parcels of

land were called reservations.

Many tribes did not want to go to the reservations. For tribes who were

dependent on the local environment, moving would tear them apart from

their sources of food and shelter. Some tribes fought, and the US Army had to

force them to go to the reservations. Other tribes, like the Nez Perce, tried to

run away. In 1877 they were told to leave their lands in Oregon and relocate

to a small reservation in Idaho. Their leader, Chief Joseph, said no. Instead, he

and a group of 800 men, women, and children headed north in an attempt to

escape to Canada, outside the reach of the US Army. Before they could reach

the border, however, they were captured. Chief Joseph ordered his people not

to fight and said, “My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I

will fight not more forever.”

Currently, there are about 310 reservations in the United States. In

2012, of the 2.5 million Native Americans living in the United States, only 1

million live on reservations. Many have moved to big cities to blend into

American life. Only 2.3 of the land in America is reserved for Native

Americans.

Station 1- Nez Perce

Guided Reading Questions:

1. What is a treaty?

2. What is a reservation?

3. Why what was so bad about reservations?

4. Who led the Nez Perce?

5. Use the picture of this man. Write down 2 details that you see.

6. What did the Nez Perce do when they were told to move to a reservation?

7. Use the map to estimate how long their journey was. Remember, you can use your finger to measure.

8. Use the map to write down the names of 2 tribes the Nez Perce may have met.

9. What 3 territories did the Nez Perce travel through?

10. Do you think reservations were a success? Why?

Choice Activity:

Station 1- Nez Perce Key

Guided Reading Questions:

1. What is a treaty?

An agreement.

2. What is a reservation?

Land that was set aside for Native Americans.

3. What was so bad about reservations?

Reservations were often very different from Native Americans’ homelands, so they often were forced to change their way of life. Additionally, it was usually land that white settlers did not want.

4. Who led the Nez Perce?

Chief Joseph

5. Use the picture of this man. Write down 2 details that you see.

Answers will vary.

6. What did the Nez Perce do when they were told to move to a reservation?

They attempted to run away to their lands in Canada instead of going to the reservation.

7. Use the map to estimate how long their journey was. Remember, you can use your finger to measure.

Answers will vary, but should be around 650-750 miles.

8. Use the map to write down the names of 2 tribes the Nez Perce may have met.

Answers will vary, but may include: Salish, Cheyenne, and Crow.

9. What 3 territories did the Nez Perce travel through?

Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming territories.

10. Do you think reservations were a success? Why?

Answers will vary.

Choice Activity:

Answers will vary.

Station 2:

Sioux Instructions:

1. Read the passage at your table together as a

group.

2. Fill in the timeline about the Sioux on yours Station 2 page in your notebook

3. Write a paragraph for a textbook about the

Battle of Little Bighorn. Include the 3 groups

who fought and the 2 leaders.

4. Choose one of the following to complete:

Draw an illustration to go with your textbook entry.

Use BYOT to do more research on the Battle of Little Bighorn (www.nps.gov/libi/index.htm is a good place to start). Add 3 details to your textbook entry.

Choose 3 words that would be good vocabulary words. Define each word and create an illustration for it.

Sioux Reading

One of the most powerful tribes of the

Great Plains was the Sioux. As white settlers

moved west, they would make treaties with this

huge warrior nation. However, the Sioux often

fought with settlers and the US government.

Eventually, in 1868 the government created a

reservation where only Sioux would live (map to

the right).

Unfortunately, six years after this reservation was established, gold was

discovered there. The United States government offered to buy the land, but

the Sioux refused to sell. Their leader was a young man

named Sitting Bull (picture to the right). As a result the

government sent soldiers to take the land by force. In

1876 Lieutenant Colonel George Custer led 700 troops.

They attacked at the Little Big Horn River. The Americans

thought they would be facing 800 Sioux warriors, by they

did not count on the thousands of other warriors that

joined the Sioux from other tribes. During the Battle of

Little Bighorn, the Sioux defeated the US army, wounding 55 and killing

Custer along with 268 others.

Almost 15 years later, the US Army

got their revenge. The US army surrounded

a group of Sioux men, women, and children

at Wounded Knee Creek (pictured to the

right). They had orders to transport the

Native Americans to a reservation. No one

is sure how the fighting started, but when it

was over the Americans killed 150.

Station 2- Sioux

Timeline:

Textbook Entry:

Choice Activity:

1868:

1874:

1876:

1890:

Station 2- Sioux Key

Timeline:

Textbook Entry:

Answers will vary.

Choice Activity:

Answers will vary.

1868:

The US government made a

reservation and forced the Sioux to

move there.

1874:

Gold was discovered on the Sioux

Reservation and the United States

government tried to buy the Sioux out.

1876:

The US Army tried to force the Sioux

to leave their reservation. During the

Battle of Little Bighorn, the Sioux

warriors massacred the army, led by

Coronel Custer.

1890:

The US Army returned and killed many

Sioux at the Battle of Wounded Knee

(also called Wounded Knee Massacre).

The Sioux were forced to move to

another reservation.

Station 3:

Assimilation Instructions:

1. Read the passage at your table as a group. 2. Use the passage to complete the diagram on the

Station 3 page in your notebook. 3. Look at the pictures on your table. As a group,

compare them and answer these discussion questions (one person should record the answers).

a. Name 3 things that are similar between the two pictures.

b. Name 3 things that are different between the two pictures.

c. These pictures are of a group of Apache children and were taken four months apart. Which picture do you think was taken first? Why? Use details in the picture support your answer.

d. What could have caused the changes between the two images?

e. Do you think assimilation was successful? Why? 4. Choose one of the following activities to complete:

Create a graph showing the buffalo population in the US from the 1600’s to today.

Use your BYOT to go to this link http://tinyurl.com/p87f58

e to read about an Indian school in Williamsburg. Create a timeline showing major events at the school.

Draw a picture of what the Great Plains would have looked like before Americans settled there and another picture of what it would have looked like after.

Lindauer, Owen. "Archaeology of the Phoenix Indian School - Archaeology Magazine Archive." Archeology (n.d.): n. pag. Archaeology of

the Phoenix Indian School - Archaeology Magazine Archive. 27 Mar. 1998. Web. 25 Dec. 2015.

<http://archive.archaeology.org/online/features/phoenix/>.

Assimilation Reading

Westward expansion was a good thing for many Americans, but it had a

negative impact on one group of people—the American Indians. At the time

of the Civil War, the number of American Indians living in the United States

was approximately 300,000. Over half were living on the Great Plains and

were generally tolerant of the white men as they crossed their lands on the

way to the West Coast. However, before long homesteaders (people trying to

create farms), ranchers (people trying to raise animals), and railroad men

came and began to claim the Great Plains as their own. They built houses and

towns, fenced in the land, and crisscrossed it with railroads.

More threatening to the

American Indian was the killing of

the buffalo for their hides and sport.

Since Native Americans used these

animals for food, clothing, and

shelter, the slaughtering of the

buffalo meant death for the American

Indians and their way of life. In the 1600’s, between 30 and 60 million buffalo

lived in America. By 1884, there were only 325 wild bison left. Now, there are

between 20,000 and 25,000, mainly due to conservation efforts.

Some reformers tried to help the Indians become full American citizens

and to assimilate, or blend into the general culture. They wanted the Indians

to become more like the white people and give up their distinctive culture,

religion, and way of life. With the decline of the buffalo, American Indians

were encouraged to become farmers. Many Indians had no knowledge of

farming, and others had no interest in it. In addition, reservations were

typically created on land that was not well suited to farming. Many Native

American children were forced to attend boarding schools were they were

only allowed to speak English and participate in American culture. Currently,

78% of Americans live outside of reservations, mainly in cities.

Station 3: Assimilation

Diagram:

Choice Activity:

Assimilation (definition):

Buffalo

Native Americans Settlers

Americans wanted

Native Americans to

become…

Native American

children were send

to special ________

where…

Did it work? Why?

Station 3: Assimilation Key

Diagram:

Choice Activity:

Answers will vary.

Assimilation (definition):

Blending into a

general culture.

Buffalo

Native Americans

depended on

buffalo for almost

everything.

Settlers

overhunted the

buffalo to almost

extinction.

Americans wanted

Native Americans to

become…

Farmers.

Native American

children were send

to special schools

where… they were

forced to learn

American culture.

Did it work? Why?

Answers will vary.

Station 4:

Apache Instructions:

1. Scan the QR code or go to the link below.

2. Watch the video.

3. Use the video to answer the questions on

the Station 4 page in your notebook. You

may need to watch the video again to get all

of the answers.

4. Share your answers with the other people

in your group to make sure you have the

correct ones.

Scan the QR code or us this link:

https://youtu.be/zqki-t9F4S4

Station 4: Apache

Movie Questions:

1. What region did the Apache live in?

2. What did the Apache raid?

3. Which of the following was NOT a government that tried to control the Apache?

a. Spanish

b. Mexican

c. British

d. American

4. Why did Chochise stop being peaceful?

5. What did the Apache want to do?

6. What happened when the US army tried to attack the Apache?

7. Geronimo was another Apache chief. Using what you learned in the movie, he was

probably known for-

a. Running away from the US army

b. Raiding new American settlements

c. Getting caught by the US army

d. Leading Sioux warriors

8. Discuss: What do you think the Apache and Americans were fighting over?

9. Discuss: Eventually, the American army defeated the Apache and forced them to

move to reservations. Why do you think this happened?

Station 4: Apache Key

Movie Questions:

10. What region did the Apache live in?

Southwest

11. What did the Apache raid?

New American Settlements.

12. Which of the following was NOT a government that tried to control the Apache?

a. Spanish

b. Mexican

c. British

d. American

13. Why did Chochise stop being peaceful?

Americans attacked the Apache.

14. What did the Apache want to do?

Kick the Americans out.

15. What happened when the US army tried to attack the Apache?

The Apache forced them to leave the area and continued to beat the US army.

16. Geronimo was another Apache chief. Using what you learned in the movie, he was

probably known for-

a. Running away from the US army

b. Raiding new American settlements

c. Getting caught by the US army

d. Leading Sioux warriors

17. Discuss: What do you think the Apache and Americans were fighting over?

Answers will vary, but may include land and resources.

18. Discuss: Eventually, the American army defeated the Apache and forced them to

move to reservations. Why do you think this happened?

Answers will vary

Native Americans Stations HW

1. ___, ___ Sioux

2. ___, ___ Nez Perce

3. ___, ___ Apache

4. ___ Treaty

A. Geronimo

B. Tribe that tried to run away to Canada

C. Sitting Bull

D. Chief Joseph

E. Document that was an agreement between the government

and Native Americans

F. Wounded Knee

G. Tribe that raided new settlements

5. ___ Reservation

6. ___ Assimilation

7. ___, ___ Buffalo

8. ___ Farmers

A. Animal that Native Americans depended on for food, clothing,

and shelter

B. Blending into a general culture

C. What white people wanted Native Americans to become

D. Land set aside for Native Americans, often undesirable

E. Animal that Americans overhunted

Native Americans Stations HW Key

1. _C_, _F_ Sioux

2. _D_, _B_ Nez Perce

3. _A_, _G_ Apache

4. _E_ Treaty

A. Geronimo

B. Tribe that tried to run away to Canada

C. Sitting Bull

D. Chief Joseph

E. Document that was an agreement between the government

and Native Americans

F. Wounded Knee

G. Tribe that raided new settlements

5. _D_ Reservation

6. _B_ Assimilation

7. _A_, _E_ Buffalo

8. _C_ Farmers

A. Animal that Native Americans depended on for food, clothing,

and shelter

B. Blending into a general culture

C. What white people wanted Native Americans to become

D. Land set aside for Native Americans, often undesirable

E. Animal that Americans overhunted

Instructions: Take a separate sheet of paper and divide it into 4 sections. Label each section for one

of the stations you completed (Nez Perce, Sioux, Apache, and Assimilation). Then, cut out each of the

boxes and glue it into the correct section.

Instructions: Take a separate sheet of paper and divide it into 4 sections. Label each section for one

of the stations you completed (Nez Perce, Sioux, Apache, and Assimilation). Then, cut out each of the

boxes and glue it into the correct section.

Led by Sitting Bull

Led by Chief Joseph

Led by Geronimo Battle of Little

Bighorn- Native

Americans

defeated US Army

(Custer)

Battle of

Wounded Knee-

US troops

massacred Native

Americans

Tribe that ran

away to Canada

instead of getting

sent to a

reservation. They

were caught by

the US army and

sent to the

reservation

anyway.

Blending into a

general culture.

Tribe that was

famous for raiding

new American

settlements.

Native Americans

depended on

Buffalo for food,

clothing, and

shelter. American

settlers

overhunted the

buffalo and

destroyed their

habitat, making it

difficult for

Native Americans

to survive The US wanted

Native Americans

to become

farmers.

Native American

children were

sent to special

schools where

they were forced

to learn American

culture.

Led by Sitting Bull

Led by Chief Joseph

Led by Geronimo Battle of Little

Bighorn- Native

Americans

defeated US Army

(Custer)

Battle of

Wounded Knee-

US troops

massacred Native

Americans

Tribe that ran

away to Canada

instead of getting

sent to a

reservation. They

were caught by

the US army and

sent to the

reservation

anyway.

Blending into a

general culture.

Tribe that was

famous for raiding

new American

settlements.

Native Americans

depended on

Buffalo for food,

clothing, and

shelter. American

settlers

overhunted the

buffalo and

destroyed their

habitat, making it

difficult for

Native Americans

to survive The US wanted

Native Americans

to become

farmers.

Native American

children were

sent to special

schools where

they were forced

to learn American

culture.

Native Americans Stations Study Guide

Station 1:

Nez Perce

Station 2:

Sioux

Station 3:

Assimilation

Station 4:

Apache

Led by Chief Joseph

Tribe that ran

away to Canada

instead of getting

sent to a

reservation. They

were caught by

the US army and

sent to the

reservation

anyway.

Led by Sitting Bull

Battle of Little

Bighorn- Native

Americans

defeated US Army

(Custer)

Battle of

Wounded Knee-

US troops

massacred Native

Americans

Led by Geronimo

Tribe that ran

away to Canada

instead of getting

sent to a

reservation. They

were caught by

the US army and

sent to the

reservation

anyway.

Blending into a

general culture.

Native Americans

depended on

Buffalo for food,

clothing, and

shelter. American

settlers overhunted

the buffalo and

destroyed their

habitat, making it

difficult for Native

Americans to

survive

Native American

children were sent

to special schools

where they were

forced to learn

American culture.

The US wanted

Native Americans to

become farmers.