A 4 th Grade WebQuest
by
Dorothy M. Smail
Fasten you seatbelts!
You are about to take a trip back to a time when Native Americans ruled
Tampa Bay. Click below to enter.
You will now embark on a weeklong journey to learn more about
the Native Americans who once (and still may) lived in Florida. During
this WebQuest, you will find answers to questions like:
 When, how, and why the first Native Americans came to Florida?
 How many Native American tribes lived in Florida and what were they like?
 Why did nearly all of them vanish?
 Where can we go to find out more about these tribes?
 Who exactly were the Seminole Indians?
 What are some Seminole customs still practiced today?
This WebQuest is divided into 4 main parts:




Part One: Origins
Part Two: Native American Tribes of Florida
Part Three: Further Explorations
Part Four: The Seminoles
While researching each part, you will use your reading journal and will be given
the following handouts to document your discoveries. Links to download all of the
handouts can be found on the
slide.






Predict and Confirm Handout
Blank Map of Florida Handout
Cluster Webs
Compare/Contrast Graphic Organizer
Trail of Florida’s Indian Heritage Questionnaire
Seminoles Activity Sheet
After completing this WebQuest, you will:



Create a poster or diorama about a specific tribe and present information about your tribe and the diorama to the class.
Write a short piece of historical fiction about a specific tribe using the information you have learned.
A rubric will be used to assess both activities.
Teachers: Click
for more details.
Part One: Origins Time: 1 day

First, complete the first part of the Predict and Confirm Handout. This will help you realize how much you’ve
learned after finishing this WebQuest.

Click on the links, read, and write your responses to the questions on the slides in your reading journal.

After finishing the Timeline Activity outside with the teacher and your classmates, write your responses to the questions found on the
webpage in your reading journal and complete your own timeline.
Part Two: Who Were the Native American Tribes of Florida? Time: 2 days

Research the assigned tribe, complete the Cluster Webs, and color in their location using the Map of Florida handout.

Share your findings with the rest of your group. Using a Compare/Contrast chart, compare and contrast a tribe from the north to a tribe in
the south with a partner.
Part Three: Further Explorations Time: 1 day, or can be completed at home

Write your responses when researching the
website and the Native American photos in your reading journal.
Part Four: The Seminoles Time: 1 day

During and after reviewing the websites about the Seminole Indians, complete the Seminoles handout.
Wrapping Up: Time: 1 week for both/Story can be completed during writing, poster during art, at home, etc.

Create a poster or diorama of the Native American tribe you researched and present it to the class..

Write a historical fiction story about the Native American tribe you researched. More details can be found on the
slide.
Directions: First, complete the first part of the Predict and Confirm handout.
Next, click on the following links to learn more about the origins of the
Native Americans in Florida and then answer the questions below in your
reading journal:

How did the Native Americans come to the Americas and eventually Florida?

How long ago did they first arrive?

About how many native people were living in Florida before the arrival of the Europeans?

How long ago did the first Europeans arrive in Florida?

What happened to almost 80% of the population?
Directions: You will now go outside with your teacher and create a timeline that spans the history of the Native
Americans in Florida. Click on the site below to preview the assignment and write down the five questions to
answer in your journals while outside:
@
Now, create your own timeline using the dates provided on the webpage on a blank sheet of white paper, but
now only two inches will equal 500 years. Put the timeline in your reading journal when you are done.
Note: There are many different Native American tribes that once lived in Florida. I will add links to more tribes in
the future.
Directions: Click on one of the following tribes to research:
Remember to use the Cluster Webs and Map of Florida handouts when researching your tribe.
Directions: Click on the links below to research the Apalachee Tribe:
Directions: Click on the links below to research the Calusa tribe:
Directions: Click on the links below to research the Choctaw tribe:
Directions: Click on the links below to learn about the Creek tribe:
Directions: Click on the links below to learn more about the Miccosukee tribe:
Note: The next site may be a little difficult to read, so please ask
for help if you need it.
Directions: Click on the links below to learn more about the Timucua
tribe:
Note: When using the first link, click on the file folder on the left that says
“Timucua History”.
Directions: Click on the links below to learn more about the Tocobaga tribe:
Directions: For this portion of the WebQuest, you will explore and learn more
about different Native American tribes in Florida using this site:
You will also need the Trail of Florida’s Indian Heritage handout. Follow the
directions in the handout as you navigate the site.
Good Luck!
Directions: Look at the following photographs at the following websites and then answer the questions below
in your reading journal. There are no wrong answers. We will discuss the questions in class. Note: Be patient!
This site moves very slow!
Directions: To find out who the Seminoles are, click on the links below. Make sure you
have a copy of the Seminoles handout to complete while researching the sites.
Who is he and what
did he do?

What are those houses
called?

Click to hear a Seminole tune!
Congratulations!
You have finished this journey into the world of Florida’s Native Americans.
Now, find your Predict and Confirm handout and complete the “confirm” portion. Then, write down
two questions you still have about Florida’s Native Americans.
After you have finished, use the checklist below to make sure you have completed all the
tasks to this WebQuest:
 Predict and Confirm Handout
 Florida Map
 Cluster Webs
 Compare/Contrast Graphic Organizer
 Trail of Florida’s Indian Heritage Questionnaire
 Seminoles Handout
 Reading Journals
You are ready to create a diorama and write a historical fiction story about the tribe
you researched. Go to the next page for instructions.
Directions for Diorama:
1.
Students will work in groups based on the tribe they researched.
2.
Each group will compare the notes they took using the Cluster Webs. Everyone can go back and find
more information using this WebQuest or other reference materials.
3.
Using the information each group member has found, you will work together to create a diorama of the
tribe’s village. Each member should focus on two clusters of the web. Materials can be collected at school,
at home, outside, etc.
4.
Finally, your group will present your diorama and information about the tribe to the class.
5.
A rubric will be provided to help guide each group through the assignment.
6.
This activity will be done during Art and after other assignments are completed. Some parts will be worked
on at home.
7.
I will explain more about this project in class.
Directions for Writing Assignment:
1.
Write a short historical fiction story about the tribe you researched. For example, you may imagine you
first saw a massive ship with enormous wings sailing towards the shore. You alert some of the members
of your tribe…….What happens?
2. Include information about the tribe from your notes and what you have read.
3.
A rubric will also be provided and I will explain more about this assignment in class.
Links to Handouts, Rubrics,
and Point Scale:
Activity
Points
Predict/Confirm
Handout
10
Map of Florida
5
Cluster Webs
10
Compare/Contrast
Graphic Organizer
10
Trail of Indian Heritage
Questionnaire
10
Seminole Activity Sheet
10
Reading Journal
20
Rubric for Writing
Activity
35
Rubric for Diorama
50
Total Points
160
Books:
 Journeys with Florida’s Indians by Kelly Weitzel
In this book, a young boy leads an adventurous life among the
Timacua, Calusa, and Apalachee Indians and tells about their encounters
with European settlers. An excellent reading resource while teaching a unit on
Florida’s Native Americans.
Florida's Indians from Ancient Times to the Present (Native Peoples, Cultures, and
Places of the Southeastern United States) by Gerald T. Milanich

This is a comprehensive, easy-to-read book about Florida’s Native American heritage.
And is an excellent resource for classroom research.
Websites: Below are a list of Websites to further explore:

For more resources about Native American folktales and languages, visit Native American Facts for Kids @
http://www.native-languages.org

For a list of activities and FCAT related questions about Florida’s Native Americans, visit Kelley Weitzel’s
site @ http://www.kelleyweitzel.com

For more teaching activities and lesson ideas, visit Ancient Native @ http://ancientnative.org and Exploring
Florida @ http://fcit.usf.edu
Social Studies:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
SS.4.A.1.2: Synthesize information related to Florida history through print and electronic media.
SS.4.A.2.1: Compare Native American tribes in Florida
SS.4.A.3.2: Describe causes and effects of European colonization on the Native American tribes of Florida.
SS.4.A.3.8: Explain how the Seminole tribe formed and the purpose of their migration.
SS.4.A.3.10: Identify the causes and effects of the Seminole Wars.
Language Arts:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
LA.4.1.7.4: The student will identify cause-and-effect relationships in text.
LA.4.2.2.2: The student will use information from the text to answer questions related to explicitly stated main ideas
and relevant details.
LA.4.4.1.1: The student will write narratives based on real or imagined, ideals, observations, or events that include
characters, setting, plot, sensory details, a logical sequence of events, and a context to enable the reader to imagine
the world of the event or experience.
La.4.6.1.1: The student will read informational text and text features to organize information for different purposes.
La.54.5.2.2: The student will plan, organize, and give an oral presentation and use appropriate voice, eye, and body
movements for the topic, audience, and occasion.
Mathematics:
1.
MA.4.6.1.1: Use and represent numbers through millions in various in various contexts, including estimation of
distances.
Clipart, Pictures, and Photographs
. Native American Clipart: http://www.adcre8tr.com/design.html
1
2. Slide 1: Illustration: http://www.vivaflorida.org/images/pages/ted_map.jpg
3. Slide 3: Time Travel Image: http://www.spacetimetravel.org/galerie/wurmloch.jpg
Time Machine: http://1heckofaguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/timemachine.jpg
3. Slide 6 Illustration - Two Worlds Collide: http://www.flheritage.com/services/magazine/05winter/images/article4_1.jpg
4. Slide 7: Timeline: http://www.sitemason.com/files/cRKpgs/timeline2small.JPG
4. Slide 9 – The Apalacheeshttp://www.floridasprings.org/exploration/featured/wakulla/text/exploring/timeline/1500_Apalachee%20Indians.jpg
Apalachee Home: http://www.flheritage.com/archaeology/sanluis/reconstruction/
5. Slide 10: The Calusas: http://lakeokeechobeeoutpost.com/images/calusa_indians.jpg
6. Slide 11: The Choctaws: http://www.mychoctawfamily.com/
7. Slide 12: The Creeks: http://www.fnai.org/arrow/almanac/images/oral_history/rc12212.jpg
8. Slide 13: The Miccosukees/Family/Everglades: http://www.turtletrack.org/Issues02/Co03092002/Art/billskids.jpg &
http://www.nps.gov/ever/historyculture/images/seminoles.jpg
9. Slide 14: The Timacuas: http://www.robyngioia.com/morris2.jpg
10. Slide 15: The Tocobagos: http://www.wtsp.com/news/state/story.aspx?storyid=140850&catid=260
Tocobago Hut: http://www.lakestcharles.com/Community/bigpaha.jpg
11.
Slide 16: Trail of the Lost Tribes: http://www.trailoffloridasindianheritage.org
12. Slide 17: Seminole Family: http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/63/99063-050-C92E77C9.jpg
13. Slide 18: Osceola: http://www.myhero.com/go/hero.asp?hero=osceola
Seminole Huts: http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/63/99063-050-C92E77C9.jpg
14. Slide 20: Diorama: http://www.cmnh.org/site/Img/ClassesandPrograms/SRC/dioramaPhotos/wigwam.jpg
14. Slide 22: Book Covers: http://www.amazon.com
1. Slide 6: Site A: Native American Facts for Kids @ http://www.native-languages.org
Site B: Ancient Native @ http://www.ancientnative.org
2. Slide 7: Ancient Native @ http://www.ancientnative.org
3. Slide 9: The Apalachees: Site A: Native American Facts for Kids @ http://www.native-languages.org
Site B: Exploring Florida @ http://fcit.usf.edu
4. Slide 10: The Calusas: Site A: Native American Facts for Kids @ http://www.native-languages.org
Site B: Exploring Florida @ http://fcit.usf.edu
5. Slide 11: The Choctaws: Site A: Native American Facts for Kids @ http://www.native-languages.org
Site B: Michelle’s Class Site @ http://www.sd84.k12.id.us/
6. Slide 12: The Creeks: Site A: Native American Facts for Kids @ http://www.native-languages.org
Site B: Florida Kids @ http://www.flheritage.com
7. Slide 13: The Miccosukees: Site A: Native American Facts for Kids @ http:// www.native-languages.org
Site B: Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida @ http://www.miccosukeeresort.com
8. Slide 14: The Timucuas: Site A: Pelotes Island Nature Preserve @ http://pelotes.jea.com/
Site B: Exploring Florida @ http://fcit.usf.edu
9. Slide 15: The Tocobagas: Site A: Exploring Florida @ http://fcit.usf.edu
Site B: Trail of Florida’s Indian Heritage @ http://www.trailoffloridasindianheritage.org
10. Slide 16: Trail of Florida’s Indian Heritage @ http://www.trailoffloridasindianheritage.org
11. Slide 17: Site A: Exploring Florida @ http://fcit,usf.edu
Site B: About Florida @ http://www.abfla.com
Site C: Official Site of the Seminole Tribe @ http://www.semtribe.com
Slide 22: Author Kelley Weitzel’s Site @ http://www.kelleyweitzel.com
Other sites on this slide are listed above.
Books, Worksheets, and Other Supplemental Materials
Books:
Milanich, G (1998). Florida’s indians from ancient times to the present: Native peoples, cultures, and places of the
southeastern United States. Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida.
Weitzel, K. (2002). Journeys with Florida’s indians. Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida.
Handouts:
Map of Florida retrieved from: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/maps/printable/3875.html
2. Cluster Webs retrieved from: http://www.chaffeetraillibrary.org/Florida native cluster web1.pdf and
1.
http://www.chaffeetraillibrary.org/Florida Native Cluster Web2.pdf
3. Compare/Contrast Handout retrieved from:
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson275/compcon_chart.pdf
4. Diorama Rubric was modified by me from a rubric by Kathleen Beck @
http://teachers.greenville.k12.sc.us/
Seminole Music:
1.
Various. (2007) Seminole Haze. Eternal flames: A tribute to Native American Indians. (Mp3 Recording): Global Journey.