2. Forth graders have studied about the
Native American cultures. They have
focused in the Native American
environments, lifestyles, and art.
California has many different
environmental zones. Naturally the
environment has a big influence on
people’s lives and their ways of living.
Students will see the differences and
similarities in the California Indian
cultures.
By visiting the Palm Springs Art
Museum students will appreciate
exhibits of the Native American and
Art of the West. Student will study the
craftsmanship of baskets, rugs,
blanket making, and desert land scape
art.
3. Subject: History and Social Studies, Art and Geography
Grade Level: Fourth Grade
Topic: Native American and Art of the West
Length of Session: 3 hours
Field Trip: The Palm Springs Art Museum
4. History and Social Studies Geography
4.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of Places and Regions
the physical and human geographic features The Physical and human characteristics of
that define places and regions in California. places.
1. Explain and use the coordinate grid system of Human Systems
latitude and longitude to determine the absolute The characteristics, distribution, and migration
locations of places in California and on Earth. of human populations on Earth’s surface.
The process, patterns, and functions of human
3. Identify the state capital and describe the various settlement.
regions of California, including how their Environment and Society
characteristics and physical environments (e.g.,
water, landforms, vegetation, climate) affect human How physical systems affect human systems.
activity. The Uses of Geography
To apply geography to interpret the past.
4.2 Students describe the social, political,
cultural, and economic life and interactions
among people of California from the pre-
Columbian societies to the Spanish mission
and Mexican rancho periods.
1. Discuss the major nations of California Indians,
including their geographic distribution, economic
activities, legends, and religious beliefs; and
describe how they depended on, adapted to, and
modified the physical environment by cultivation of
land and use of sea resources.
5. Sketch Notebook
Pencils
Color pencils
Map of the Palm
Springs Museum
Sack Lunch
6. Before departure to Palm Springs Art Museum students
will be provided with their sketch notebooks, pencils, color
pencils, and maps of the Palm Springs Museum.
At arrival students will be given a worksheet with
exhibitions they are to visit. In sketchbooks student are to
draw a simple sketch of their most favorite and least
favorite exhibits and explain why. They are to provide
information of what it is, of when the art piece was created
and by who or what tribe, where it comes from, what
materials were used to make the piece, and any new
information they may have learned.
Once the students of a group have completed their
museum assignment they will then be allowed to enjoy the
rest of the museum’s exhibitions.
7. Each student will receive an empty map of California. On
the map they will label the physical characteristic's of
California. They will also plot the locations of the tribes
that had exhibits in the Museum. In addition, students are
required to mention a few facts of art work, craftsmanship,
types of plants from each of the tribes. Students can use
the notes they wrote in their sketchbooks to complete their
California map assignment.
For homework students are to write three paragraphs about
what they liked best of their field trip, what tribe artifacts
were most interesting , describe how that artifact was used,
and if it had any special meaning.
8. Rubric Name of Student :
Completed Partially completed Not completed
Assignment
Sketch
Notebook
California
map
Written
Homework
Assignment
