Sovereignty
Lesson #: 22
Grade: 4th
Subject Area: Social Studies
Context
Materials
Introduction/Investment
Write the word “sovereignty” on the board. Ask if anyone knows this word or remembers it from our talks.
This word is very important to the idea of why American Indians. The students should understand that this word means that American Indians dictate what can be done on their property. They are Nations within the United States.
This term may need some explanation and base it on something the students understand. Connect to the class and talk about how one table can do whatever they want because they are sovereign.
Content
The important content for this would be based around sovereignty:
Whole-Class Activity
For this activity, have the whole class now become citizens of Room _X_. Now each and every one of you is a free member in your society. Have the class as a whole come up with some of the rules of the class but also, try to make modifications to the rules.
At certain junctures, stop the simulation and try to assess where they are on the spectrum. One of the most important things for me is to make sure that I can stand up and really make an impact like these students had made. This will help to show how in depth you truly need to and also the structure of the classroom. Ownership and authenticity.
With each of these groups, allow the class to come up with a play to describe the information. This will result in the students having to use the knowledge gained in this lesson but also from previous lessons. Very important to see how the interactions occurred. As the teacher, if the students are struggling, fill in the gaps in information.
Practice
After the class has come up with the play, have the class act it out and video record the play if possible. After you have recorded the play, have the class watch the video and talk about how accurate they think their representations were.
This offers the students the ability to see the outcome of their work. May take more than one day.
Assessment
Engagement in the video making and the class discussion. Exit slips to put on the KWL chart on the board.
Grade: 4th
Subject Area: Social Studies
Context
Materials
- Exit slip
- Whiteboard/Chalkboard
Introduction/Investment
Write the word “sovereignty” on the board. Ask if anyone knows this word or remembers it from our talks.
This word is very important to the idea of why American Indians. The students should understand that this word means that American Indians dictate what can be done on their property. They are Nations within the United States.
This term may need some explanation and base it on something the students understand. Connect to the class and talk about how one table can do whatever they want because they are sovereign.
Content
The important content for this would be based around sovereignty:
- Sovereignty applies to laws, taxes, police forces
- Tribal nations looked at as “domestic dependent nations”
- Able to structure society
- This means that the nation is within the territory of the United States and there is a dependence upon the United States
- Why? This is a great point to push the students learning and understanding
- Court cases have held up the rights of American Indian tribes sovereignty, especially in recent years but also at times during major anti-Indian sentiment (1830s)
Whole-Class Activity
For this activity, have the whole class now become citizens of Room _X_. Now each and every one of you is a free member in your society. Have the class as a whole come up with some of the rules of the class but also, try to make modifications to the rules.
At certain junctures, stop the simulation and try to assess where they are on the spectrum. One of the most important things for me is to make sure that I can stand up and really make an impact like these students had made. This will help to show how in depth you truly need to and also the structure of the classroom. Ownership and authenticity.
With each of these groups, allow the class to come up with a play to describe the information. This will result in the students having to use the knowledge gained in this lesson but also from previous lessons. Very important to see how the interactions occurred. As the teacher, if the students are struggling, fill in the gaps in information.
Practice
After the class has come up with the play, have the class act it out and video record the play if possible. After you have recorded the play, have the class watch the video and talk about how accurate they think their representations were.
This offers the students the ability to see the outcome of their work. May take more than one day.
Assessment
Engagement in the video making and the class discussion. Exit slips to put on the KWL chart on the board.
