Native American Contributions
(Iroquois)
A WebQuest for 4-5 Grades (Social Studies/Language Arts/Technology)
Designed by
Ruth Martin
rschultzmartin@yahoo.com
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits
Introduction
You are a member of a television news program that has decided to do a
documentary about the many contributions of the Iroquois throughout
history and how these contributions affect us today. The documentary
will need to highlight many aspects of the Iroquois society including:
politics, government, their relationship with the environment, food, roles
of the people, housing, literature, music, customs, traditions,
celebrations, sports and sports mascots. The big question you will need
to answer is:
What Native American contributions do we use today and
in what ways?
The Task
You and your team will be responsible for producing a section of this
documentary. Each section team will need to:
 Research the theme for your group’s section.
 Take notes about the theme for your script.
 Collaboratively create a documentary section using Microsoft
Word to type your script, practice the script, and finally record
your section with a video camera.
 Preview and edit your taped section.
 Present your documentary section to an audience (class).
 Evaluate your own and your classmates section’s of the
documentary.
 Give the teacher your notes, rough draft of script, final script,
and final video documentary tape.
The Process
Be sure to read the total Webquest before you begin.
To accomplish your tasks, you will need to follow these steps.
1. First you will be assigned to a group of 5 to 6 members.
2. Each group will pick one area out of four to develop their session around.
Each group must pick a different choice.
3. Your choices are:
Group A - Politics, Government, and Relationships with Other People
Group B - Iroquois’ Relationship with the Environment, Food,
Housing, Clothing and Roles of Men, Women, and Children
Group C - Art, Literature, Music, Customs/Traditions, Celebrations
Group D - Sports and Controversy with Sports Mascots
4. Once you have picked your section you will begin your research. You will
use online resources (web sites) and books.
5. You will find a list of sites to search within each session area below the
questions you need to answer and develop your script around.
6. Once you have done your research, you will come back together as a group
and develop your script’s rough draft.
7. Your group will work together to edit the script.
8. Your group should decide on props for your presentation. (Pictures,
objects, posters)
9. You will each type part of your script with Microsoft word.
10. Next, you will practice your script with each team member reading a part
except for your camera person.
11. Once you are comfortable with your script one team member may record
it with video camera.
12. Your group will then view your session and edit if needed.
13. Finally, you will share your session with the class.
14. The audience will evaluate your session and will do a self-evaluation of
your own session.
15. To begin your research you will need to find your assignments below by
looking for your area.
Group A - Politics, Government, and People Relationships
Directions: All group members will need to access all of the web
resources and/or some books of your choice to answer the following
questions individually. Do not forget to take good notes. Taking Notes
From Research Reading - This website will help you with note taking.
1. Explain the government of the Iroquois. What is the Iroquois
Confederacy?
2. What is the importance of the Wampum Belt?
3. How did the Iroquois Six Nations form of democracy affect the
writing of the American Constitution? Does this mean anything to
our government today? Explain.
4. How do the Iroquois govern their nation today?
5. Where do the Iroquois live today and in the past?
Resources
Iroquois History - This online resource will give you Iroquois information about
where they lived, population, names, language, sub-nations, culture, and history.
You should skim the whole page for information about Iroquois government.
Haudenosaunee – This online resource will offer information about the Iroquois
Confederacy, culture, traditions, history, roles of the people, and the Iroquois
today.
Oneida Indian Treaties Project – This online resource has treaties, news articles,
and memorandums between United States and The Oneida Indians.
Clans of the Oneida Indian Nation – This online resource tells the names and
meanings of the Oneida Clans.
Wampum Belt – An online resource that tells what the Wampum belt is and it’s
importance.
Wampum – Treaties, Sacred Records – This online resource has more information
about the Wampum belt and treaties.
Iroquois.net – At this online resource, click on the History Page to learn about how
the Iroquois’ Great Law of Peace influenced the United States Constitution and
The Six Nations, the Oldest Living Democracy.
Iroquois Indian Museum – This online resource has information about the Iroquois
Confederacy, traditional culture, political, and Iroquois today.
The Iroquois of The Northeast – This online resource has information about where
the Iroquois live and have lived. Also, it contains information about the
environment, food, women’s roles, creativity today, and iron workers today.
The Encyclopedia of Native America by Trudy Griffin-Pierce – This book resource
offers much information about the Native Americans. I would like you to use the
introduction and the chapter about the Native Americans of the Northeast.
After your group has explored these resources you should come together
and discuss your information. Decide what is important to include in
your session of the documentary. You must answer the questions above.
Then begin writing your rough draft of the script. You should follow the
writing process, Prewriting, Drafting, Revising, Editing, and Publishing.
Here are two web sites to help you with the writing process:
ABC’s of The Writing Process
The Process Home Page
Group B – Relationship with the Environment, Food, Housing, Clothing,
and Roles of Men, Women, and Children
Directions: All group members will need to access all of the web
resources and/or some books of your choice to answer the following
questions individually. Do not forget to take good notes. Taking Notes
From Research Reading - This website will help you with note taking.
1. Explain how the Iroquois coexist with nature in a delicate balance? Is
this still important to the Iroquois today?
2. What are the roles of Iroquois men, women, and children today and in
the past?
3. What foods do the Iroquois eat and does anyone in your group eat
these same foods?
4. What were the Iroquois homes like? Did they live alone?
5. What kinds of clothing did the Iroquois wear in the past and today?
Tell about clothing worn by Iroquois that you wear today.
Resources
The Iroquois of the Northeast – This online resource will provide information
about the environment, food, homes, and clothing.
Iroquois – This online resource has brief information about the daily life of the
Iroquois.
Iroquois Indian Museum – This online resource has information about the Iroquois
today.
Ganondagan’s Bark Longhouse – This online resource tells about the longhouse.
Haudenosaunee – This online resource contains information about the people and
their environment. Click on “Culture” and find some roles of people, information
about clans, and the environment. Click on “Great Laws” and you will find more
information about the roles of people.
Homes of the Past – This online resource contains information on the longhouse,
the Iroquois village, and the people.
Northeast Native American Shelters – This online resource contains information
about the longhouse and the village.
Four Winds Intertribal Society, Inc. – This online resource contains information
about Native American contributions of clothing and food. Be careful to use only
the products found in the Northeast.
The Iroquois of the Northeast – Search this online resource for information about
the people, food, environment, and roles of the people today.
The Roots of Corn – This online resource will give you information about Maize
(corn).
The Encyclopedia of Native America by Trudy Griffin-Pierce – This book resource
offers much information about the Native Americans. I would like you to use the
introduction and the chapter about the Native Americans of the Northeast.
__________________________________________________________
After your group has explored these resources you should come together
and discuss your information. Decide what is important to include in
your session of the documentary. You must answer the questions above.
Then begin writing your rough draft of the script. You should follow the
writing process, Prewriting, Drafting, Revising, Editing, and Publishing.
Here are two web sites to help you with the writing process:
ABC’s of The Writing Process
The Process Home Page
Group C - Art, Literature, Music,
Customs/Traditions, Celebrations
Directions: All group members will need to access all of the web
resources and/or some books of your choice to answer the following
questions individually. Do not forget to take good notes. Taking Notes
From Research Reading - This website will help you with note taking.
1. Tell about the oral tradition of the Iroquois. Summarize an Iroquois
legend and tell what the story means to you.
2. What types of celebrations do the Iroquois have? Do they have these
celebrations today?
3. What customs and traditions do the Iroquois have? Why are these
important?
4. Listen to some of the music of the Iroquois? Tell about the Iroquois
music?
5. Look at and describe the art of the Iroquois and tell of its importance
today?
6. What does Iroquois art, literature, music, and customs mean to their
culture?
Resources
Iroquois Arts – This online resource has much information about the various
artistic creations of the Iroquois.
Haudenosaunee – This online resource has information about the Iroquois’ values,
beliefs, and traditions. (Click on “Culture”)
Iroquois Legends Page – This online resource has the words for three Iroquois
legends.
Iroquois Today – At the bottom of this online resource page you will find
information about the Iroquois arts today.
The Iroquois of the Northeast – This online resource offers information about
traditions and culture (click on “Sovereign People”) and information on various art
forms (click on “Surviving Creatively”).
Earth Songs – This online resource contains information about Iroquois
instruments and songs. You can listen to songs and learn what some of them
mean.
Native American Music Awards – Listen to some award winning contemporary
Native American Music at this online resource.
The Encyclopedia of Native America by Trudy Griffin-Pierce – This book resource
offers much information about the Native Americans. I would like you to use the
introduction and the chapter about the Native Americans of the Northeast.
After your group has explored these resources you should come together
and discuss your information. Decide what is important to include in
your session of the documentary. You must answer the questions above.
Then begin writing your rough draft of the script. You should follow the
writing process, Prewriting, Drafting, Revising, Editing, and Publishing.
Here are two web sites to help you with the writing process:
ABC’s of The Writing Process
The Process Home Page
Group D - Sports and Controversy with Sports
Mascots
Directions: All group members will need to access all of the web
resources and/or some books of your choice to answer the following
questions individually. Do not forget to take good notes. Taking Notes
From Research Reading - This website will help you with note taking.
1. What sports did Iroquois play in the past and today?
2. How do Iroquois and other Native Americans feel about sports
mascots?
3. What do other groups of people think about sports mascots?
4. After researching sports mascots tell what your group thinks about
them.
Resources
Lacrosse: An Iroquois Tradition – This online resource will give you historical
information about lacrosse.
“Indian” Logos – This online resource has the view of an Oneida woman named
Barbara Munson of “Indian” Logos.
Iroquois Today – This online resource includes a small part about sports played
today by Iroquois.
Iroquois Nationals - Lacrosse – This online resource tells about the importance of
Lacrosse to the Iroquois today and in the past.
After your group has explored these resources you should come together
and discuss your information. Decide what is important to include in
your session of the documentary. You must answer the questions above.
Then begin writing your rough draft of the script. You should follow the
writing process, Prewriting, Drafting, Revising, Editing, and Publishing.
Here are two web sites to help you with the writing process:
ABC’s of The Writing Process
The Process Home Page
Evaluation Rubrics
Below you will find some rubrics to show you how you will be
evaluated on your group work, notes and research, scripts, and
documentary presentation. Rubrics will be used as follows.
1. You will do a self-evaluation with the group rubric and give to the teacher.
2. All students will evaluate each member of your group with group rubric and
give to the teacher.
3. Each student will use the documentary presentation rubric to evaluate other
group presentations and your own. Hand in to teacher.
4. Teacher will use all rubrics to evaluate.
5. You will be given a group grade with group, script, and document presentation
rubrics.
6. You will be given an individual grade on notes and research rubric.
7. Be honest and constructive when filling out rubrics.
Group Rubric
Beginning
Group Work
1
Understanding Task
Sharing Resources
Research and Gather
Information
Fulfills Group Duties
Group Discussions
Developing
2
Did not read
webquest or
read it
individually.
Did not ask
questions of
group or
teacher.
Does not relay
any resources,
information, or
computer with
group.
Accomplished
3
Exemplary
4
Read webquest
Read webquest as a group,
as a group,
discussed
discussed
webquest,
Read webquest
as a group. Did responsibilities, shared ideas to
not discuss it asked questions accomplish
with group or
of each other task, and asked
ask questions. and the teacher questions of
for further teacher or other
understanding. group member
when needed.
Relays very little
resources,
information, and
computer with
group.
Relays some
resources,
information,
and computer.
Information
relates to topic.
Relays a great
deal of
resources,
information,
and computer
with group.
Information
relates to topic.
Does not
Collects very Collects some Collects a great
collect any
little
basic
deal of
information
information.
information
information
that relates to Some relates to
and most
and all relates
the topics.
the topic.
relates to topic. to the topic.
Does not
perform any of
Performs very
the duties
little duties.
related to
group.
Does not
participate in
group
discussions.
Performs
nearly all
duties.
Performs all
group duties.
Participates in
Participates in
Participates
group
group
very little in
discussions
discussions and
group
with some
all ideas relate
discussions. ideas that relate
to topic.
to topic.
Score
Notes and Research Rubric
Beginning
Developing
Accomplished
Exemplary
1
2
3
4
Research
Used few web
resources.
Used some
web
resources.
Used most
web resources
and books.
Used all web
resources and
books.
Answered
Questions
Accurately
Answered
few
questions,
few
accurately.
Answered
some
questions
most
accurately.
Answered all
questions
most
accurately.
Answered all
questions
accurately.
Works Cited
Did not cite
work.
Cited some
work.
Cited most
work.
Cited all
work.
Organized
Work showed
no
organization.
Work showed
little
organization.
Work showed
much
organization.
All work was
well
organized.
Notes and
Research
Score
Script Rubric
Script
Beginning
Developing
Accomplished
Exemplary
1
2
3
4
Editing Rough
Draft of Script
Shows no
editing.
Shows little
editing with
editing
symbols.
Shows much
editing with
some editing
symbols.
Shows much
editing and
many editing
symbols.
Final Draft
Grammar and
Spelling.
Shows many
grammar and
mistakes.
Shows few
grammar and
spelling
mistakes.
Shows very
little grammar
and spelling
mistakes.
Shows no
grammar or
spelling
mistakes.
Final Draft
No
organization,
Little
organization,
Is organized
and somewhat
Very
organized and
Score
Organization
hard to read
and
understand.
can
understand
some.
easy to
understand.
easy to
understand.
Citations
Does not show
work cited.
Shows few
works cited.
Shows many
works cited.
Shows all
work cited.
Using the
Writing
Process
Showed no
evidence of
use.
Showed very
little evidence
of use.
Showed some
evidence of
use.
Showed much
evidence of
use.
Documentary Presentation Rubric
Documentary
Beginning
Developing
Accomplished
Exemplary
Presentation
1
2
3
4
Organized
No
Organization.
Somewhat
Organized.
Very
organized.
Organized
and well
presented.
Hard to
understand.
Could
understand
but no
expression.
Could
understand
and used
some
expression.
Great
understanding
and used
much
expression.
Used no body
language.
Used very
little body
language.
Used much
body
language
some
appropriately.
Used body
language
appropriately.
Information
Information
was accurate.
Information
was
sometimes
clear and
accurate.
Information
was accurate,
complete, and
included
some
opinions.
Information
was accurate,
complete, and
used
opinions.
Props
Used no
props.
Used few
props some
made sense.
Used some
props all
made sense.
All props
were well
placed and
Voice
Body
Language
Score
made sense.
Conclusion
Congratulations. You have done a great job. Your producer thinks
you will win awards for your documentaries. You have learned
much about the Iroquois contributions and how we use them today.
You have learned from the presentations how important it is to be
careful of things we say or do in relation to other groups of people.
We all need to be careful of bias and stereotyping in all we do. The
Iroquois taught us much about the environment and how to live in
harmony with it. Also, they introduced us to different types of food,
clothing, arts, and democracy. The contributions of the Iroquois
and other Native Americans are important to us all.
Credits & References
All images and text came from Microsoft Word.
I would like to thank Donna Rogers for all her help with my ideas and questions.
Books Used:
Griffin-Pierce, Trudy. The Encyclopedia of Native America. 1995. NY: Michael
Friedman Publishing.
Online Resources:
Taking Notes From Research Reading - http://www.utoronto.ca/writing/notes.html
Iroquois History - http://www.tolatsga.org/iro.html
Haudenosaunee - http://www.sixnations.org/
Oneida Indian Treaties Project - http://oneida-nation.net/treaties.html
Clans of the Oneida Indian Nation - http://oneida-nation.net/clans.html
Wampum Belt - http://oneida-nation.net/wampum.html
Wampum – Treaties, Sacred Records http://www.kstrom.net/isk/art/beads/wampum.html
Iroquois.net – http://www.iroquois.net/
The History Channel.com - http://www.historychannel.com/cgibin/frameit.cgi?p=http://www.historychannel.com/historychannel/class/teach/teach
.html
The Iroquois of the Northeast - http://www.carnegiemnh.org/exhibits/north-southeast-west/iroquois/index.html
ABC’s of the Writing Process - http://www.angelfire.com/wi/writingprocess/
The Process Home Page - http://freedom.up.net/~msbones/ww01005.htm
Iroquois Indian Museum - http://www.iroquoismuseum.org/iroquois.htm
Ganondagan’s Bark Longhouse - http://www.ganondagan.org/longhouse.html
Homes of the Past - http://www.rom.on.ca/digs/longhouse/
Northeast Native American Shelters http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/settlements/regions/northeast.html
Four Winds Intertribal Society, Inc. - http://www.fourwindstx.org/Main.htm
The Maize Page - http://maize.agron.iastate.edu/general.html
Iroquois Arts - http://www.iroquoismuseum.org
Iquois Legends Page - http://oneida-nation.net/irolegends.html
Iroquois Today – http://www.iroquoismuseum.org/iroquois.htm
Earth Songs - http://www.ohwejagehka.com/songs.htm
Native American Music Awards - http://www.nammys.com/index.cfm
Lacrosse: An Iroquois Tradition - http://oneida-nation.net/lacrosse.html
“Indian” Logos - http://www.iwchildren.org/barb.htm
Iroquois Nationals – Lacrosse - http://www.iroquoisnationals.com/program.html
Native American Mascots - http://earnestman.tripod.com/1indexpage.htm
Last updated on February 23, 2008. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page