Grade 3 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 5, Lesson 1

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
From Sea to Shining Sea

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 5, Lesson 1: Following the Buffalo (pp. 80-85)

The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Interdependence The Cheyenne depended on the buffalo for food, shelter, and clothing.

Begin by asking students to name all the ways they think the buffalo helped the Cheyenne people four hundred years ago. List their ideas on chart paper and as they read the chapter, add to the list or cross off items that don't apply.

Display a map of North America and indicate the area where buffalo herds roamed in 1600 (as shown on page 81). Then have students point out the areas where the Cheyenne people hunted buffalo (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming). Conclude by having a volunteer show where the Cheyenne live today (Montana and Oklahoma). Interested students can find out where we can see buffalo today (Yellowstone National Park, for example).

Lesson Outline
Use the Lesson Outline to preview the content of the lesson. You may wish to print it for your students as a guide during reading.

Check for Understanding

Ask students to imagine they are a Cheyenne man or woman. Ask this question and have them write a paragraph to answer it: Think about the last time a buffalo was killed and brought into camp. How were you involved? Encourage volunteers to read their answers aloud.
Ask students to create a diorama of the Cheyenne people showing how they depended on the buffalo. They can choose to show a hunt, a feast, a tipi made from hide, and so on.

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