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Native Americans

The Art Of Survival: Seneca Tribe Tools & Arrowhead Craft

February 16, 2026 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Seneca tribe tools were very important to their way of life, they were used for hunting, cooking, building, and protection. You’ll also love my page Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.

The Seneca Tribe lived in what is now western New York, an area rich in forests, rivers, and wildlife. Known as the “Keepers of the Western Door” of the Iroquois Confederacy, the Seneca played an important role in protecting their territory and trade routes.

The Art Of Survival: Seneca Tribe Tools & Arrowhead Craft

As one of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, the Seneca Tribe created tools that allowed them to hunt, farm, build shelters, and protect their communities.

In order to survive, Native Americans needed tools that were durable, easy to repair, made from materials found in nature, and every tool needed to have a purpose. Each item was crafted with care and experience. It was passed down through generations.

Today, we will explore traditional Seneca tools, especially arrowheads, and then create a safe replica arrowhead using craft foam to help children connect history with hands-on learning.

BOOKS ABOUT THE SENECA FOR KIDS

First, look at these books about the Seneca.

5 Seneca Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Grab some of these books about the Seneca to add to your reading list or to a unit study.

Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison

In this classic frontier adventure, Lois Lenski reconstructs the real-life story of Mary Jemison, who was captured in a raid as young girl and raised among the Seneca Indians.

Meticulously researched and illustrated with many detailed drawings, this Newbery Honor novel is an unforgettable tale.

Twelve-year-old Mary Jemison took for granted her peaceful days on her family's farm in eastern Pennsylvania. But on a spring day in 1758, something happened that changed her life forever.

When a band of warriors invades the Jemisons' house and takes the family captive, Mary is separated from her parents and siblings. She travels with the Indians to southern Ohio and later to a Seneca village on the Genesee River in
what is now western New York.

Muskrat Will Be Swimming

Although Jeannie loves her lakeside neighborhood, her feelings are hurt by her schoolmates who live in fancier homes and call her a Lake Rat.

When she confides her troubles to her grandfather, he tells her about his own childhood experiences with teasing. As the story unfolds, the grandfather shares a traditional Seneca story that helps Jeannie to find strength in her Native identity and a new appreciation for the different roles that animals play in nature. This is a quiet book that celebrates family and place and the teachings of Native people. Muskrat Will Be Swimming is based on a real incident in Cheryl Savageau's life.

Land of the Senecas

This classic work of local history tells the story of the Seneca people of western New York, from their ancient origins to the present day. Arch Merrill's engaging prose and vivid descriptions of Seneca life, culture, and traditions make this book an essential resource for anyone interested in the history of upstate New York and its Native American peoples.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

Red Jacket: Seneca Chief

This is the story of the famous and controversial Seneca chief and orator Red Jacket (Sagoyewatha, ca. 1750–1830), whose passionate and articulate defense of the old ways won the admiration of many but also earned him the enmity of Chiefs Joseph Brant and Cornplanter. Red Jacket received a medal from George Washington as a token of friendship. He is remembered as a vocal and persistent opponent of foreign encroachment on the Iroquois, protesting bitterly against the sale of tribal lands and involvement in European-American disputes, missionary activities, and various efforts to “civilize” the Iroquois.

Turtle's Race with Beaver

Turtle lives in a beautiful little pond with everything a happy turtle needs. But one spring, Turtle awakes from hibernation to discover that her lovely home has been invaded! A pushy beaver takes over Turtle's beloved pond and refuses to share. Instead, he challenges her to a race to determine who can stay. But how can a little turtle outswim a big, powerful beaver? This charming fable of brains versus brawn is a great read for all the young readers in the forest to share!

Then, Seneca tools were essential for hunting, farming, cooking, and building.

SENECA TRIBE TOOLS AND DAILY LIFE

Tools were made from stone, bone, wood, and animal sinew.

COMMON SENECA TOOLS

  • Stone arrowheads and spear points for hunting deer, turkey, and small game
  • Bows and arrows made from flexible wood and plant fibers
  • And stone scrapers were used to clean animal hides
  • Axes and adzes for cutting wood and shaping canoes
  • Bone needles and awls for sewing clothing

These tools allowed the Seneca people to live sustainably, using every part of the animals they hunted and respecting the land that provided for them.

ARROWHEADS

Arrowheads were one of the most important survival tools of the Seneca Tribe. They were carefully shaped from stone such as chert or flint using a process called knapping. Knapping is stone is chipped into sharp edges.

Arrowheads were used for hunting food, protecting the village, and trading with neighboring tribes.

Each arrowhead required patience, skill, and practice to make. A well-made arrowhead could mean the difference between eating and going hungry.

Not all arrowheads were shaped the same, and the notches were not decorative; they served important purposes. Seneca arrowheads were notched in different ways depending on how the arrow would be used and how it needed to be attached to the shaft.

Wider notches were often used for hunting larger game, while narrower or side-notched designs worked well for small game and fast-moving targets.

Certain notch patterns reflected regional traditions or time periods. Archaeologists can often identify where and when an arrowhead was made by its notch style.

  • Side-notched: Notches on each side near the base
  • Corner-notched: Small notches at the corners
  • Stemmed: A narrow stem used for binding
The Art Of Survival: Seneca Tribe Tools & Arrowhead Craft

Arrowheads were often made out of bone, volcanic glass, Flint, jasper, slate, and obsidian. The more exotic arrowheads were made out of jasper, petrified wood, and other materials.

SENECA TRIBE TOOLS EXTENSION IDEAS

  • For an amazing diorama, you can grab this set that comes with almost everything you need to recreate a Native American scene.
  • Map where the Seneca lived. They were found near the Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley regions of Western New York, between Seneca Lake and the Genesee River. 
  • Learn The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins for another fun hands-on idea.
  • Compare arrowheads from different tribes. You can also order some beautiful replica arrowheads to examine and explore throughout your study.
  • How To Make An Iroquois Longhouse, the Seneca people lived in Longhouses rather than teepees.
  • How to Make a 5 Arrows Craft | Iroquois Confederacy Facts
  • Visit a museum (in person or virtual) with Native American artifacts from your area.
  • Learn how to Make Corn Husk Dolls, a simple and popular toy of many tribes.
  • Younger children will enjoy this LEGO-stamped Indian Corn craft, a basic staple of many tribes’ diets.

ARROWHEAD CRAFT

Instead of using real stone, we can create a safe replica arrowhead using foam. This allows us to explore shape, design, and function without danger.

You will need:

  • Carvable foam
  • Pencil
  • Scissors, knife, or box cutter
The Art Of Survival: Seneca Tribe Tools & Arrowhead Craft

First, draw an arrowhead shape on the craft foam. Arrowheads have a pointed tip, a wide center, and different notches near the base depending on their use.

The Art Of Survival: Seneca Tribe Tools & Arrowhead Craft

Green florist wet foam works very well for carving, but it is quite messy and leaves a lot of dust behind. Once you brush it off and paint it, it holds together much better.

Use the edge of scissors or a knife to chip away at the foam and carve out the arrowhead shape. Be sure to leave notches all over it instead of smoothing it out so it looks like authentic arrowheads.

The Art Of Survival: Seneca Tribe Tools & Arrowhead Craft

Once it’s carved, paint it. Choose whatever color you would like, based on what material you imagine it is made from.

The Art Of Survival: Seneca Tribe Tools & Arrowhead Craft

Using two or more colors gives you a more natural and realistic look. Allow the paint to dry and then put them on display.

The Art Of Survival: Seneca Tribe Tools & Arrowhead Craft

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, Native Americans, nativeamerican, nativeamericans, Seneca

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

January 11, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Compare 3 different regions with a Native American Triorama that focuses on each with contrasts and similarities. Also, look at my page Trioramas: How To Create Engaging Visual Narratives For Kids for more ideas. Too, you’ll love my page Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.

While they had much in common, the tribes of the coast, desert, and plains were each unique with their own traditions and way of life.

The Coastal Indians relied on the bounty of the sea.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

The Desert Indians adapted to arid conditions through agriculture and resourcefulness, and the Plains Indians followed the buffalo across the vast grasslands.

Let’s look at each of these areas and then translate that into a hands-on activity that gives students a wonderful canvas for sharing what they have learned about each.

Your child can include any features of each tribe on the 3 sides of your Native American triorama that you like.

For example, there are war facts, ceremonies, clothing to food, states they lived in, homes, and more.

For this project we focused on food, clothing, and homes.

To make this triorama really unique we decided to do it in a torn paper collage style, adding small details with markers.

This not only is great for building up fine motor skills but also creates a colorful and interesting display.

NATIVE AMERICAN BOOKS FOR KIDS

Then look at these books about Native Americans.

16 Books About Native Americans

You’ll love these books about various Native American tribes and how they lived and their rich history.

The Winter People

Saxso is fourteen when the British attack his village. It’s 1759, and war is raging in the northeast between the British and the French, with the Abenaki people Saxso’s people by their side. Without enough warriors
to defend their homes, Saxso’s village is burned to the ground. Many people are killed, but some, including Saxso’s mother and two sisters, are taken hostage. Now it’s up to Saxso, on his own, to track the raiders and bring his family back home . . . before it’s too late.

In Their Own Words: Sitting Bull

In Their Own Words: Sitting Bull tells the exciting story of Sitting Bull's life using real drawings, letters, and speeches from him and from his friends and family.A warrior I have been. / Now, it is all over. / A hard time I have.With these words, Sitting Bull surrendered to the U.S. government on July 20, 1881. Sitting Bull spent most of his life trying to protect his people. A proud father and brave warrior, Sitting Bull wanted the Lakota Sioux to continue hunting buffalo and roaming the Plains. Although he lost this battle, Sitting Bull is remembered for his brave actions and notable accomplishments.

Blackfeet Indian Stories

Here are the great stories of the Blackfeet, recorded by the famous conservationist and ethnologist, George Bird Grinnell, who became a tribal member in 1885. The Nizitapi, or Real People, as they call each other, were people of the buffalo. They originated on the plains of today’s southern Alberta, western Saskatchewan, and central Montana. Famed frontier artist George Catlin called the Blackfeet “the most
powerful tribe of Indians on the continent.” Like many native people, the Blackfeet have stories and legends that originated centuries ago, perhaps thousands of years ago, and were passed down from generation to generation through an oral tradition.

The Double Life of Pocahontas

In a story that is as gripping as it is historical, Newbery Honor-winning author Jean Fritz reveals the true life of Pocahontas. Though at first permitted to move freely between the Indian and the white worlds, Pocahontas was eventually torn between her new life and the culture that shaped her.

The Buffalo and the Indians: A Shared Destiny

Countless herds of majestic buffalo once roamed across the plains and prairies of North America. For at least 10,000 years, the native people hunted the buffalo and depended upon its meat and hide for their survival. But to the Indians, the buffalo was also considered sacred. They saw this abundant, powerful animal as another tribe, one that was closely related to them, and they treated it with great respect and admiration.

Hidden Roots

"Hidden Roots" focuses on the greater impact that the generations of Abenaki that followed had to deal with. Readers will learn about the loss of identity, history and culture;lack ofself worth and fear that Abenaki people were feeling, and still feel today. Middle grade readers love to see life as "being fair", and will totally understand that life is not fair in this story. This is a book that should be read in every middle school class, so that this history will not be forgotten, and never be repeated.

Children of the Longhouse

When Ohkwa'ri overhears a group of older boys planning a raid on a neighboring village, he immediately tells his Mohawk elders. He has done the right thing—but he has also made enemies. Grabber and his friends will do anything they can to hurt him, especially during the village-wide game of Tekwaarathon (lacrosse). Ohkwa'ri believes in the path of peace, but can peaceful ways work against Grabber's wrath?

Thunder Rolling in the Mountains

Through the eyes of a brave and in­dependent young woman, Scott O'Dell tells of the tragic defeat of the Nez Perce, a classic tale of cruelty, betrayal, and heroism.

This powerful account of the tragic defeat of the Nez Perce Indians in 1877 by the United States Army is narrated by Chief Joseph's strong and brave daughter.

When Sound of Running Feet first sees white settlers on Nez Perce land, she vows to fight them. She'll fight all the people trying to steal her people's land and to force them onto a reservation, includ­ing the soldiers with their guns.

But if to fight means only to die, never win, is the fight worth it? When will the killing stop?

Black Hawk

Before dying, Pyesa, Black Hawk’s father and chief of his people, commanded his son to defend their land from whites, who were trying to force the tribe off their land. Black Hawk, however, has no taste for killing and scalping and goes through great internal conflict. The story of this great-hearted leader shows how some whites and Native Americans were peaceful and kind, while others were not. Based on true events, this powerful book teaches about a difficult time period and shares profound, unique messages about love, faith, mercy, humility, friendship, forgiveness, and faith. Recommended for ages 13-18/Grade 7-12

Moccasin Trail (Puffin Newbery Library)

Jim Keath has lived for six years as a Crow Indian when he learns that his two younger brothers and a sister are journeying west to take up land. Although Jim finds it difficult to fit in with the family he hasn’t seen since childhood, and though they are wary and distrustful of him, Jim feels his duty is at their side. But slowly, as they survive the dangerous trek west, the perils of frontier life, and the kidnapping of their younger brother, Jim and his family realize that the only way to survive is to accept each other and truly reunite the family.

The Pueblo Indians,: Farmers of the Rio Grande

Young hawk lived over 400 years ago, but the civilization of the pueblo indians, already well advanced before any white settlers came into their land, has changed very little since his day.

Sacajawea

Captured by her enemies, married to a foreigner, and a mother at age sixteen, Sacajawea lived a life of turmoil and change. Then, in 1804, the mysterious young Shoshone woman met Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Acting as interpreter, peacemaker, and guide, Sacajawea bravely embarked on an epic journey that altered history forever. Hear her extraordinary story, in the voices of Sacajawea and William Clark in alternating chapters, with selections from Clark’s original diaries.

The Birchbark House (Birchbark House, 1)

She was named Omakakiins, or Little Frog, because her first step was a hop.

Omakakiins and her family live on an island in Lake Superior. Though there are growing numbers of white people encroaching on their land, life continues much as it always has.

But the satisfying rhythms of their life are shattered when a visitor comes to their lodge one winter night, bringing with him an invisible enemy that will change things forever—but that will eventually lead Omakakiins to discover her calling.

Naya Nuki: Shoshoni Girl Who Ran (Amazing Indian Children Series)

After being taken prisoner by an enemy tribe, a Shoshoni girl escapes and makes a thousand-mile journey through the wilderness to find her own people

Squanto, Friend Of The Pilgrims

Tells of the adventurous life of the Wampanoag Indian,Squanto.

Plains Indians (First Nations of North America)

This title teaches readers about the first people to live in the Plains region of North America. It discusses their culture, customs, ways of life, interactions with other settlers, and their lives today.

Next look at some of these facts about Native Americans.

I’ve some facts for each region.

COASTAL INDIANS/PACIFIC NORTHWEST

The indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest coast were remarkably diverse, made up of numerous tribes and language groups in the region.

These tribes included Chinook, Nez Perce, Haidi, Kwakiutl, Makah, and Tlingit.  Fishing,in particular salmon, was important to their existence.

They also spent much time hunting, gathering, and shellfish harvesting. The coastal tribes were known for their woodworking skills- crafting intricate canoes, totem poles, and longhouses.

Their longhouses, made from planks of tall cedar trees, were often elaborately decorated and used as dwellings for extended families and centers of community life.

Social structures were complex, with hereditary chiefs, skilled artisans, and warriors playing important roles.

Potlatches, ceremonial feasts involving gift-giving and displays of wealth, were central to social and economic relations.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

Learn how to draw a Pacific Northwest Coast Wolf head in the style of the tribes of the area.

DESERT INDIANS/SOUTHWEST

The dry and beautiful landscapes of the Southwest were home to diverse indigenous cultures that adapted remarkably to the harsh environment.

The Pueblo people, known for their adobe villages and sophisticated irrigation systems, cultivated crops like corn, beans, and squash.

The Navajo and Apache, semi-nomadic tribes, were skilled hunters and gatherers who also raised livestock.

 The Hopi, Zuni, and other Puebloan groups developed intricate pottery, weaving, and jewelry-making traditions.

Religion and spirituality were deeply ingrained in daily life, with elaborate ceremonies and rituals marking the changing seasons and ensuring agricultural success.

Cliff dwellings, such as those at Mesa Verde, and kivas, underground ceremonial chambers show the ingenuity and resilience of the desert-dwelling peoples.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

Learn how to make Adobe Bricks and look at my post Exploring Navajo Crafts for Kids: How to Make a Medicine Bag.

PLAINS INDIANS

The vast grasslands of the Great Plains supported a nomadic lifestyle centered on the buffalo. Tribes like the Sioux, Cheyenne, Comanche, and Blackfeet followed the herds, relying on them for food, clothing, shelter, and tools.

 Horses, later introduced by Europeans, revolutionized Plains Indian life, enabling greater mobility and hunting prowess.

Their homes were -Tipis, portable dwellings made of buffalo hides, and perfectly suited to their nomadic lifestyle.

Warfare, often driven by competition for resources and territory, was a significant aspect of Plains Indian culture. Warriors were highly respected, and their bravery and skill in battle were celebrated.

Spirituality was deeply connected to the natural world, with the sun, moon, and animals holding special significance.

The Sun Dance, a major religious ceremony, was a time for prayer, fasting, and renewal.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

For the plains Indian study you can include this How to Make a Kid’s Paper Bag Native American Vest and my page Native Americans The Plains Indians Unit Study & Lapbook.

Then look at these other themed ideas.

MORE TRIORAMA IDEAS

  • How to Make an Easy Rainforest Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama
  • How to Make an Amazing Shakespeare Triorama Book Report
  • How to Make a Cool Greek Mythology Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture
  • How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica
  • Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids
  • How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies
  • How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids
  • How to Craft a Stunning Wolf Animal Triorama
  • How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska’s Amazing Features
  • How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions
  • How to Make A Pyramid Diorama For States Of Matter
  • The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

HOW TO MAKE A NATIVE AMERICAN TRIORAMA

Finally, look at how make this Native American Triorama.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

You will need:

  • 3 -12×12 sheets of cardstock
  • Colorful construction paper
  • Glue sticks
  • Scissors
How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

First, fold all 3 sheets of cardstock from diagonal corners to form a triangle, crease well.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

Open and fold on the opposite corners, creasing again.

Open your paper and you should have 2 crisp intersecting lines.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

Cut from one corner to the center.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

And write ‘glue’ one either one of your cut sides to mark the triangle that will not be showing.

Leave your pieces open for easier decorating, we will glue them into their pyramid shape later.

Start by writing the tribal region alongside one corner.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

Then on each of the bottom corner write the features you will be highlighting- homes, dress, food.

Now, the fun really begins- shred, tear, or you could even use a hole punch to create your small pieces of all the colors you will need based on the images you have chosen to represent your tribes.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

Use glue to attach the torn bits of paper to the corresponding triangles to create your designs.

Allow to dry then assemble your triorama by folding the one marked glue underneath the opposite one and attaching with a generous amount of glue.

How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions

Line your 3 trioramas up to compare the very different regions.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool, Native Americans, nativeamerican, nativeamericans, triorama, trioramas

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

January 4, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re putting together a triorama project all about the Cherokee Culture, using peg dolls, clay and paint to create their environment. Also, look at my pages Trioramas: How To Create Engaging Visual Narratives For Kids for more ideas and free Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.

Cherokee culture has a long and proud history.

The Cherokee people are one of the largest Native American tribes in the United States, with a population of over 300,000.

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Originally from the Southeastern Woodlands, they lived in what is now the southeastern United States.

This area includes parts of present-day Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.

In the 1830s, the Cherokee were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands in the Southeast in a process known as the Trail of Tears.

This forced removal resulted in the deaths of thousands of Cherokee people as well as the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole people.

Despite all that they endured, the Cherokee people have maintained their culture and traditions.

And the Cherokee Nation is a federally recognized tribe with over 300,000 citizens and their own government, schools, and healthcare system.

There is so much to learn about the Cherokee.

BOOKS ABOUT THE CHEROKEE FOR KIDS

First, look at these books for kids.

When possible, I add living books to our reading list.

8 Cherokee Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Grab some of these books about the Cherokee to add to your reading list or to a unit study.

Cherokee, Indians of the Mountains

Tells of everyday life in the Cherokee Nation and how it changed with the coming of the white man

Talking Leaves

A work of historical fiction about Sequoyah and the creation of the Cherokee alphabet, from the acclaimed author of Code Talker Thirteen-year-old Uwohali has not seen his father, Sequoyah, for many years. So when Sequoyah returns to the village, Uwohali is eager to reconnect. But Sequoyah’s new obsession with making strange markings causes friends and neighbors in their tribe to wonder whether he is crazy, or worse—practicing witchcraft. What they don’t know, and what Uwohali discovers, is that Sequoyah is a genius and his strange markings are actually an alphabet representing the sounds of the Cherokee language. 

Sequoyah and the Cherokee Alphabet

The story of one of the great leaders of the Cherokee nation... as well as the fascinating and disturbing story of cultural transformation and subsequent oppressive injustice that ended in The Trail of Tears.

The Apple Tree -- A Modern Day Cherokee Story Told in English & Cherokee (English and Cherokee Edition)

A Cherokee boy plants an apple seed, already seeing the apple tree it is meant to be. But the little apple tree is not so sure. Young and impatient, it begins to doubt its calling after apples fail to appear that first fall. How can the boy convince the tree to give the seasons the time to work their magic? The story is told in English with Cherokee translation, and includes a Cherokee syllabary.

Itse Selu: Cherokee Harvest Festival

Step back in time for a captivating glimpse of Cherokee life in pre-Columbian North America. Join Little Wolf and his family as they prepare to celebrate Itse Selu, the harvest festival. As night approaches the village, the magic of anticipation fills the air. The luscious feast, Grandfather's storytelling, and the sacred corn dance weave a magical tapestry of tradition.

The First Strawberries (Picture Puffins)

From an award-winning Native American storyteller comes this captivating re-telling of a Cherokee legend, which explains how strawberries came to be. Long ago, the first man and woman quarrelled. The woman left in anger, but the Sun sent tempting berries to Earth to slow the wife's retreat.

Grandmother Spider Brings the Sun: A Cherokee Story

After Possum and Buzzard fail in their attempts to steal a piece of the sun, Grandmother Spider succeeds in bringing light to the animals on her side of the world.

Only the Names Remain: The Cherokees and The Trail of Tears

From 1837 to 1838, thousands of Cherokee Indians were marched from their homelands in Georgia to exile in Arkansas by the same white men they has once befriended. The Cherokees journeyed through bitter cold and blazing heat, with little food or water. One out of every four died --- and with them died a culture that had existed for hundreds of years, a civilization that had existed for hundred of years, a civilization that had embraced the white man's ways only to perish through his betrayal. Today, only the names remain of this once great nation.

Here are some facts and a handful of great activities and resources to make this a fun and education packed study for you.

Then we will dive into a giant triorama project.

FACTS ABOUT CHEROKEE CULTURE

Here are some facts and a handful of great activities and resources to make this a fun and education packed study for you.

Then we will dive into a giant triorama project.

Language: The Cherokee language is an Iroquoian language spoken by over 30,000 people. It is one of the most widely spoken Native American languages in the United States.

Religion: The Cherokee people have a complex religious system that includes a belief in a creator god, a pantheon of lesser gods, and a belief in the power of spirits.

Art: Cherokee art is known for its intricate designs and vibrant colors. Cherokee artists use a variety of materials, including wood, stone, clay, and beads.

Music: Cherokee music is a strong and vibrant tradition. Cherokee songs are often used for storytelling, religious ceremonies, and social gatherings.

Dance: Cherokee dance is a powerful form of expression. It is used to tell stories, celebrate special occasions, and connect with the spirit world.

People: The most famous Cherokee Indian is widely considered to be Sequoya. He was known for inventing the Cherokee syllabary, a writing system for the Cherokee language that helped their people assimilate with American Society.

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Also, look at more Cherokee hands-on activity.

CHEROKEE RESOURCES AND ACTIVITIES

  • Take a look at my lapbook The Trail of Tears 1820 – 1845 Unit Study & Lapbook.
  • Make Cherokee Stickball Sticks, a game that is and was an important cultural tradition.
  • Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft
  • Cherokee Tribe History is a video just over 20 minutes long that paints a picture of the where, when, and how of their history.
  •  Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.
  • If you want to focus on the most well known of the Cherokee tribe is Sequoyah, Creator of the Cherokee Syllabary, Lesson Plans.

Then look at more triorama ideas.

TRIORAMA IDEAS

  • How to Make an Easy Rainforest Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama
  • How to Make an Amazing Shakespeare Triorama Book Report
  • How to Make a Cool Greek Mythology Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture
  • How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica
  • Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids
  • How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies
  • How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids
  • How to Craft a Stunning Wolf Animal Triorama
  • How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska’s Amazing Features
  • How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions
  • How to Make A Pyramid Diorama For States Of Matter
  • The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama
How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Finally, look at how to make this giant triorama project about Cherokee culture.

HOW TO MAKE A GIANT TRIORAMA PROJECT ABOUT CHEROKEE CULTURE

You will need:

  • A poster board
  • Wood peg dolls
  • Craft felt
  • Air dry clay
  • Craft paint
How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

First, cut your poster board into a square.

 I have one that is 22×28. I simply cut 6” off one side.

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Fold the poster board from corner to corner at an angle like this.

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Open and fold the opposite corner, be sure to press clean creases into each.

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Cut one of the center creases from the outside edge right up to the center point, the sides on either side of the cut will form your base.

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Draw or paint a scene on the triangles above the cut portion.

You can paint and design the background while it’s flat.

Or paint it after it’s glued together

Use a very thin layer of paint so that it dries quickly and doesn’t warp the paper.

Bend the bottom cut portion in and glue one side over top of the other, paint the exposed portion of the bottom to blend into your background.

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Paint peg dolls to look like Cherokee people.

Before the influence of Europeans, Cherokee people wore buckskin clothing which included leggings that went past the knee, breechcloths, and moccasins.

The women wore wraparound skirts.

Men decorated their bodies and faces with tribal tattoos and war paint.

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Use fine point paint pens or markers to add details. Set aside to dry.

While your paint is drying, use any kind of air-dry clay you like to create the details of your village like fire, homes, etc…

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

 I prefer the model magic because it is super light and very easy to work with.

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Allow clay to dry overnight and paint.

How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture

Use markers or paint pens to add details like design to your small pots.

Set up your scene and step back to admire your amazing giant triorama.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Cherokee, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, Native Americans, triorama

Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft

December 9, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Turn your everyday paper plates into a beautiful Cherokee rattle craft. Also, you’ll love my free Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.

Your child will enjoy it while you learn all about Cherokee customs, history, and who they were and are as a people.

I am a big fan of simple crafts using basic items that most of us keep on hand in our craft supplies (or at least in the kitchen).

Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft

A real Cherokee rattle is typically made from a gourd or turtle shell.

It was adorned with beads, feathers, and other decorations.

They are used in traditional Cherokee ceremonies and healing rituals, creating a sound that is both rhythmic and soothing.

It is often used in conjunction with singing and drumming.

And its sound is said to help create a connection between the physical and spiritual realms.

The Cherokee are a Native American tribe who have lived in the southeastern United States for thousands of years.

They are one of the largest Native American tribes in the United States, with over 300,000 enrolled members mostly in northeastern Oklahoma.

The Cherokee have a rich culture and history. They were once a powerful tribe, with a large empire that stretched across the Appalachian Mountains.

The Cherokee were known for their advanced farming techniques.

Also, they are known for their written language, which was one of the first Native American languages to be written down.

In the 1800s, the Cherokee were forced to leave their land in Georgia and Alabama and move to Oklahoma.

This forced removal, known as the Trail of Tears, was a terrible journey that resulted in the deaths of thousands of Cherokee people.

Despite the hardships they faced, the Cherokee survived and thrived.

Today, they have a strong presence in Oklahoma and other states across the country.

BOOKS ABOUT THE CHEROKEE FOR KIDS

The Cherokee are proud of their culture and heritage, and they continue to work to preserve their traditions and language.

Our rattle pays homage to their history and traditions but here are some other wonderful ideas to make your unit rich and full with hands-on activities, crafts, books, videos, and more.

Next, look at some books about the Cherokee.

When possible I prefer living books.

8 Cherokee Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Grab some of these books about the Cherokee to add to your reading list or to a unit study.

Cherokee, Indians of the Mountains

Tells of everyday life in the Cherokee Nation and how it changed with the coming of the white man

Talking Leaves

A work of historical fiction about Sequoyah and the creation of the Cherokee alphabet, from the acclaimed author of Code Talker Thirteen-year-old Uwohali has not seen his father, Sequoyah, for many years. So when Sequoyah returns to the village, Uwohali is eager to reconnect. But Sequoyah’s new obsession with making strange markings causes friends and neighbors in their tribe to wonder whether he is crazy, or worse—practicing witchcraft. What they don’t know, and what Uwohali discovers, is that Sequoyah is a genius and his strange markings are actually an alphabet representing the sounds of the Cherokee language. 

Sequoyah and the Cherokee Alphabet

The story of one of the great leaders of the Cherokee nation... as well as the fascinating and disturbing story of cultural transformation and subsequent oppressive injustice that ended in The Trail of Tears.

The Apple Tree -- A Modern Day Cherokee Story Told in English & Cherokee (English and Cherokee Edition)

A Cherokee boy plants an apple seed, already seeing the apple tree it is meant to be. But the little apple tree is not so sure. Young and impatient, it begins to doubt its calling after apples fail to appear that first fall. How can the boy convince the tree to give the seasons the time to work their magic? The story is told in English with Cherokee translation, and includes a Cherokee syllabary.

Itse Selu: Cherokee Harvest Festival

Step back in time for a captivating glimpse of Cherokee life in pre-Columbian North America. Join Little Wolf and his family as they prepare to celebrate Itse Selu, the harvest festival. As night approaches the village, the magic of anticipation fills the air. The luscious feast, Grandfather's storytelling, and the sacred corn dance weave a magical tapestry of tradition.

The First Strawberries (Picture Puffins)

From an award-winning Native American storyteller comes this captivating re-telling of a Cherokee legend, which explains how strawberries came to be. Long ago, the first man and woman quarrelled. The woman left in anger, but the Sun sent tempting berries to Earth to slow the wife's retreat.

Grandmother Spider Brings the Sun: A Cherokee Story

After Possum and Buzzard fail in their attempts to steal a piece of the sun, Grandmother Spider succeeds in bringing light to the animals on her side of the world.

Only the Names Remain: The Cherokees and The Trail of Tears

From 1837 to 1838, thousands of Cherokee Indians were marched from their homelands in Georgia to exile in Arkansas by the same white men they has once befriended. The Cherokees journeyed through bitter cold and blazing heat, with little food or water. One out of every four died --- and with them died a culture that had existed for hundreds of years, a civilization that had existed for hundred of years, a civilization that had embraced the white man's ways only to perish through his betrayal. Today, only the names remain of this once great nation.

Then, look at more activities to go with the Cherokee rattle craft.

CHEROKEE ACTIVITIES, CRAFTS, AND RESOURCES

  • There is so much information and rich history in my Free The Trail Of Tears For Kids Fun Unit Study Ideas And Lapbook.
  • Make Corn Husk Dolls at home like Cherokee children would have played with long ago.
  • Get the Cherokee Rose coloring sheet with label. This flower was named for the people who were responsible for distributing the plant.
  • Learn the Cherokee language through free videos available on YouTube in multiple lessons.
  • Watch a short 5 minute video about the Cherokee with information on where they began as well as their life now.
  • Dive into other tribes like the Navajo by creating a pinch pot and compare various tribes’ ways of life.
  • Learn how to make a Wattle and Daub house perfect for housing plastic figures
Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft

Also, add some fun Cherokee facts to your learning day.

CHEROKEE FACTS TO KNOW

The Cherokee word for “hello” is “osiyo.” but there is no word for “goodbye” instead they say “donadagohvi,” which means “Until we meet again!”. I just love that.

Cherokee comes from a Muskogean word that means “speakers of another language”.

The Cherokee lived in wattle and daub homes.

Wattle and daub homes were framed with tree logs and then covered with mud and grass to fill in the walls.

They called themselves the Ani-Yunwiya, meaning “principal people”.

The Cherokee were the first Native American tribe to develop a written language, it was developed by Sequoyah one of the most famous members of the Cherokee tribe.

Finally, look at how to make a Cherokee rattle craft.

HOW TO MAKE A CHEROKEE RATTLE CRAFT

You will need:

  • Two paper plates
  • Beads
  • Craft feathers
  • Jumbo craft stick
  • string/yarn
  • markers
  • Hot glue gun/glue
Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft

First, on the convex side of the paper plates draw a design with Cherokee symbols or whatever you like, you could also draw the design to resemble a turtle’s shell.

Too, you could use paper bowls to get a different sized drum with a different sound instead of plates.

Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft

On the concave side hot glue a 6” string to either side.

Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft

Add a handful of beads or use beans to the plate to create the rattling noise.

Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft

Hot glue the jumbo craft stick to the bottom of the plate on one side.

Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft

Add beads to the string and feathers to embellish it.

Explore Native American Culture: How to Make a Cherokee Rattle Craft

If you add a bit of hot glue to the feather tips and push them into the bead it acts as a stopper for the end of the string. Trim off any excess string.

Quickly add hot glue all the way around the lip of the first plate and press the second one into place

The hand drum is ready.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Cherokee, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool, Native Americans, nativeamerican, nativeamericans

The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

November 12, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We are exploring a variety of Seneca tribe crafts as we learn more about how and where they lived. You’ll also love my page Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.

We’re learning the beautiful handiwork they created and who they were as people.

The Seneca are a Native American people originally based in present-day New York State and northern Pennsylvania.

They are one of the six nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. And are known as the “Keepers of the Western Door.”

The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

They were known as skilled warriors, diplomats and extensive trade network.

Also, for their matrilineal society, Iroquois Confederacy leadership, and agriculture of corn, beans, and squash.

In addition, they are also known for their beautiful art of quillwork and beadwork.

These skills were often applied to an important aspect of daily life – footwear, moccasins to be precise.

Moccasins were a traditional footwear worn by Native Americans.

When they wore out, they were able to quickly and easily make another pair from a single piece of buckskin.

The Seneca wore moccasins to protect their feet from the cold and wet weather, for comfort- moccasins allowed the wearer to still feel the ground.

Moccasins are part of their traditional Seneca outfit, which also included leggings, beaded skirts, and decorated overdresses. 

They were also worn simply for style to show which community they belonged to; the distinctive styles would identify the wearer’s community.

We are going to do something very similar to what we learn about them but with much easier to acquire craft felt and some beads.

If you have smaller children, you should be able to make a pair of moccasins with two pieces of 12×18 felt.

If you are making them with middle or high school students you will want to purchase a large piece by the yard to be sure you have enough fabric.

BOOKS ABOUT THE SENECA FOR KIDS

Next, look at these books about the Seneca.

5 Seneca Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Grab some of these books about the Seneca to add to your reading list or to a unit study.

Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison

In this classic frontier adventure, Lois Lenski reconstructs the real-life story of Mary Jemison, who was captured in a raid as young girl and raised among the Seneca Indians.

Meticulously researched and illustrated with many detailed drawings, this Newbery Honor novel is an unforgettable tale.

Twelve-year-old Mary Jemison took for granted her peaceful days on her family's farm in eastern Pennsylvania. But on a spring day in 1758, something happened that changed her life forever.

When a band of warriors invades the Jemisons' house and takes the family captive, Mary is separated from her parents and siblings. She travels with the Indians to southern Ohio and later to a Seneca village on the Genesee River in
what is now western New York.

Muskrat Will Be Swimming

Although Jeannie loves her lakeside neighborhood, her feelings are hurt by her schoolmates who live in fancier homes and call her a Lake Rat.

When she confides her troubles to her grandfather, he tells her about his own childhood experiences with teasing. As the story unfolds, the grandfather shares a traditional Seneca story that helps Jeannie to find strength in her Native identity and a new appreciation for the different roles that animals play in nature. This is a quiet book that celebrates family and place and the teachings of Native people. Muskrat Will Be Swimming is based on a real incident in Cheryl Savageau's life.

Land of the Senecas

This classic work of local history tells the story of the Seneca people of western New York, from their ancient origins to the present day. Arch Merrill's engaging prose and vivid descriptions of Seneca life, culture, and traditions make this book an essential resource for anyone interested in the history of upstate New York and its Native American peoples.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

Red Jacket: Seneca Chief

This is the story of the famous and controversial Seneca chief and orator Red Jacket (Sagoyewatha, ca. 1750–1830), whose passionate and articulate defense of the old ways won the admiration of many but also earned him the enmity of Chiefs Joseph Brant and Cornplanter. Red Jacket received a medal from George Washington as a token of friendship. He is remembered as a vocal and persistent opponent of foreign encroachment on the Iroquois, protesting bitterly against the sale of tribal lands and involvement in European-American disputes, missionary activities, and various efforts to “civilize” the Iroquois.

Turtle's Race with Beaver

Turtle lives in a beautiful little pond with everything a happy turtle needs. But one spring, Turtle awakes from hibernation to discover that her lovely home has been invaded! A pushy beaver takes over Turtle's beloved pond and refuses to share. Instead, he challenges her to a race to determine who can stay. But how can a little turtle outswim a big, powerful beaver? This charming fable of brains versus brawn is a great read for all the young readers in the forest to share!

Next, look at these facts about the Seneca.

WHO WERE THE SENECA TRIBE?

The Seneca have a long and rich history dating back thousands of years.

They were originally semi-nomadic people who lived in longhouses and relied on hunting, fishing, and agriculture for sustenance.

In the 16th century, the Seneca encountered European settlers and began to trade with them for goods such as metal tools and guns.

The Seneca have a vibrant culture that is rich in tradition and spirituality. 

The Seneca people have a strong oral tradition. Many stories and legends have been passed down through generations.

Today, the Seneca people live on several reservations in New York and Pennsylvania.

The tribe is federally recognized. The Seneca have their own government and laws.

The Seneca continue to maintain their traditional culture and way of life while also adapting to the modern world.

FAMOUS SENECA PEOPLE

  • Wilma Mankiller (1945-2010): A Cherokee-Seneca activist and politician who served as the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.
  • Red Jacket (1758-1830): A Seneca war chief and orator who was a prominent figure in the War of 1812.
  • Ely S. Parker (1828-1895): A Seneca engineer and military officer who served as Commissioner of Indian Affairs under President Ulysses S. Grant.
  • Jim Thorpe (1888-1953): A Seneca athlete who is considered one of the greatest all-around athletes of all time.

SENECA TRIBE CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES

  • The Iroquois Confederacy was made up of  the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca tribes. Look at How To Make a 5 Arrows Craft the symbol of their unity.
  • Here is my Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning to dive deeper into the different tribes.
  • Try this simple but beautiful Quillwork Inspired Craft as you study about this handcraft.
  • French And Indian War Activity: How To Make An Iroquois Longhouse, the Seneca people lived in Longhouses rather than teepees.
  • Here you will find recipes highlighting one of the 3 Sisters(corn of the corn, beans, and squash) hominy, corn muffins, and corn soup. Cooking is a wonderful hands-on activity.
  • No Sew Quiver and Macrame Arrows

The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

HOW TO MAKE EASY MOCCASINS

You will need:

  • Two large pieces of felt
  • Suede cording
  • Beads
  • Needle and thread
  • Paper and a pencil
The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

First, trace your child’s foot on a piece of white paper.

The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

Cut out the outline and center it on a piece of felt so that you have a good 5”-6” on either side, and several inches at both heel and toe.

Cut around the foot not quite halfway around leaving about 2” of excess felt around it.

The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

Flip the template over and repeat for the second moccasin.

Fold the shape in half and “measure” to the foot, as you wrap it around you will see where you need to trim some down but leave enough to cover with a ½” seam allowance.

 Sew ¼” in up the back and all the way around, leaving the “ankle” portion unsewn.

The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

Turn the sewn boot inside out. The stitches are now hidden on the inside.

The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

Cut a fringe all along the ankle section like this.

The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

Fold the fringe down.

Cut two small holes on either side of the top portion of the shoe for laces and thread cording or ribbon through them.

The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

Finally add beads to the ends of the cording and tie it off.

The Art of Seneca Tribe Crafts: How to Make Easy Moccasins

Slip on your handmade moccasins and enjoy your handiwork.

If you are worried about them being too slippery on hardwood floors just run a few lines of hot glue along the bottoms.

Allow them to harden, this will create a gripping effect.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool, Native Americans, nativeamerican, nativeamericans, Seneca

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