People of the Plains: Native Americans in Kansas

Traveling Resource Trunk - available through May 2012

Grades one through three

Examine a buffalo bladder, parfleche, scapula bone, sinew and more as you learn about Kansas history! This traveling resource trunk introduces the Native Americans of Kansas through explorations of food, shelter, clothing, crafts and spiritualism. Particular focus is given to the American buffalo and its importance in Native American culture. The teaching materials in this trunk include reproduction objects, photographs, maps, books, and lesson plans.

Nineteen lessons, written for lower elementary students, are divided into five sections - housing, clothing and crafts, food, spiritualism, and the buffalo. Students examine a rawhide parfleche and use the pattern included in the trunk to make a parfleche model of their own from paper. They examine samples of beadwork and then create their own beadwork design using the large beads included in the trunk's bead box. The class can sequence how a buffalo hide is prepared for use and then examine the tools used in the process and some pieces made from buffalo hide. Historical content, vocabulary lists, reading lists, and bibliographies are provided throughout the manual.

The items contained in this trunk make it a great program addition in non-classroom settings. Youth groups find it useful in meeting badge or project requirements. The hands-on components lend themselves to discovery center areas in museums and libraries. The objects in the trunk bring additional meaning to programs in retirement and assisted living centers.