Students will explore Texas Native American tribes and the ways geography, natural resources, and environment influenced how people lived. After researching a Texas tribe and reading Weslandia by Paul Fleischman, students will use what they learned to design and build their own civilization, including shelter, food sources, resources, traditions, and other features needed for survival. Their civilization will then face a natural catastrophe, challenging students to problem-solve, adapt their design, and explain how their people would survive and rebuild. Students may bring recycled materials, paint, craft supplies, and other details from home to enhance their civilization models.
4th Grade Texas TEKS Connections: Social Studies 4.1A–B – explain the origins and ways of life of American Indian groups in Texas; 4.6A–B – examine geographic regions and how people adapt to and modify their environment; ELAR 4.6(F) – make inferences and use evidence to support understanding; 4.7(C) – use text evidence to support responses; and Science/Engineering Practices – design, evaluate, and improve solutions using evidence and problem-solving.