8th U.S. History: Colonization
Land, Land, and More Land
EQ: How did
geography affect the unique development of the
New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies?
Enduring Understandings
Geography influences the development of culture and
settlement.
Concepts Important to Know and Understand
interaction of humans and environment
Learning Targets
Apply critical-thinking skills to organize and use information acquired through a
variety of valid sources,
Analyze the location and characteristics of places and regions of the US, past and
present.
Targeted Skills
Information Literacy: Evaluate Information (draw conclusions, make inferences and
connections based on connections), Organize and manipulate Information (summarizing)
Communication: Writing/Speaking/Producing (level 1 writing)
TEKS
8.10B, 8.11ABC
Skill Focus
Historical Evidence and Generalizations
In history, the facts and details are called historical evidence. These facts and details can be found
in paintings, photographs, diaries, encyclopedias, letters, etc. Basically, information about a topic can
be taken from any piece of information. As historians, the use of historical evidence makes the
information more reliable. Historical evidence about the Plains Indians might be as follows:
 The Plains Indians used buffalo hides for their teepees.
After you have identified several pieces of historical evidence, it might be possible to make a
generalization about the topic being studied. A generalization is an observation of a pattern in a
reading, painting, document, or situation. It is an overall statement that is based on the historical
evidence. In some ways, you have to make an inference or educated guess to identify a generalization.
It can also be a little like a summary of the information, written in an overall statement. A
generalization about the Plains Indians might be as follows:
 The Plains Indians relied upon the buffalo for their food, clothing, and housing.
1. Analyze the image below and identify the sentences as either HE (Historical Evidence) or
G (Generalization).
____
_____
_____
The Pueblo Indians used ladders to get from one
level to another level.
Dried mud was used to make adobe bricks for
the Pueblo housing.
The Pueblos used things from their environment
to build their houses.
Pueblo Shelter
2. Analyze the History Alive! placards and identify pieces of historical evidence about these different
Native American groups. Complete the attached chart to record your information.
Updated 03/24/2003
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3. After completing the placards, select three different cultures and write a generalization about each
one. Refer to the geographic features and historical evidence to determine the generalization. It should
describe how the Native American culture adapted to the environment. Think about their geographical
location and how it affected their food, clothing, and shelter.
Culture #1:
Generalization:
Culture #2:
Generalization:
Culture #3:
Generalization:
4. After making the generalizations about the Native American peoples, choose one culture and write a
brief overview of their lives. Assume that you are a member of that culture group and explain a day in
your life. You may use this space below or write in your Interactive Notebook.
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This is a level 1 writing assignment.
Updated 03/24/2003
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Northwest Coast Culture
Placard
Geographic
Features
1.
 Cold winters, cool summers


Historical Evidence



Plateau Culture
Great Plains Culture
Placard
Placard
Geographic Features
 Cold winters, gentle summers


Historical Evidence



Geographic Features
 No trees


Historical Evidence



Eastern Woodlands Culture
California Culture
Placard
Placard
Geographic Features
 Cold winters


Historical Evidence



Geographic Features
 Rainy winters, hot dry summers


Historical Evidence



Key: The dashed lines show the land form regions.
The solid lines show the different Native American
groups.
Great Basin Culture
Placard
Geographic Features
 Between two mountain ranges


Historical Evidence



Updated 03/24/2003
Southwest Culture
Placard
Geographic Features
 Canyons, mountains, desert


Historical Evidence



Southeast Culture
Placard
Geographic Features
 Warm, humid summers; mild winters


Historical Evidence



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