Materials:

• 1 class set of Activity Sheet #2, Myth vs. Reality (teacher provided)
• Transparency of Activity Sheet #2, Myth vs. Reality
• Introduction to the Washoe booklets

Objective:

• Students will learn the difference between a "myth" and "reality".
• Students will decide if 10 statements about the American Indian are mostly myth or reality.
• Students will be introduced to the traditional Washoe through a directed group reading.
• Students will reevaluate the 10 myth/reality statements based on what they learned during the group reading.

Background:

This lesson begins by examining common stereotypes of American Indians; investigating the differences between myth and reality. Students learn that the Hollywood depiction of Native Americans is often misleading or false. The lesson includes a short group reading activity designed to help students to develop a more accurate understanding of the Washoe culture.

Before You Begin This Lesson:

You will need enough copies of Activity Sheet #2, Myth vs. Reality for the entire class.

Activity:

Begin the lesson by asking students to name the source(s) from which they get most of their information on American Indians (films, television, advertisements).

Ask students if they believe these sources are "reasonably" accurate portrayals of the American Indian. Ask them to explain their reasoning.

Write "myth" and "reality" on the front board. Lead a brief discussion to help students differentiate between the meaning of these two words.

Explain that for today, the class will examine American Indian myths and realities.

Pass out Activity Sheet #2, Myth vs. Reality to each student.

As a teacher directed activity, read through each question with the class. Instruct students to check either the "myth" box if they believe this statement is generally not accurate, or the "reality" box if they believe the statement is generally true.

The questions on the activity sheet are as follows:

1. Most Indians lived in "teepees".

2. Washoe Indians rode horses.

3. Washoe Indians hunted and ate buffalo.

4. Washoe Indians wore buckskin clothing.

5. Washoe Indians sometimes used smoke signals.

6. All Indians had war paint.

7. All Indians wore feather head dresses.

8. Washoe Indians used clay pots.

9. Washoe Indians grew corn.

10. All Indians fought wars.

Once you have read all 10 statements, try to get a group consensus on each. Record the group consensus on the transparency of Activity Sheet #2.

Explain that the class will read a short book that might help "clear up" some of these ten statements.

Pass out one booklet to every two students.

Students will have to work in groups of two as the class reads through the book. It is suggested you teach this portion of the activity as a directed group reading.

Closure

Once you have completed the reading, ask student to return to their Activity Sheet and reread each question. Allow students to make changes to their original sheet by circircling the box they now believe is correct. Of course, some of their selections may remain unchanged.

All 10 of the questions on the Activity sheet are generally "myths". Close the lesson by spending a few minutes discussing why some of these myths continue to be viewed as reality by most Americans.

Activity Sheet and Transparency:

Include the following on both a transparency for the teacher and an activity sheet to be passed out to students.

Lesson 2

Myth Verses Reality Activity Sheet 2

NAME:

DATE:

Myth Verses Reality

Directions - Each of the following ten statement will be read out loud by your teacher. You must then decide if the statement is a myth or reality.

1. Most Indians lived in "teepees".

2. Washoe Indians rode horses.

3. Washoe Indians hunted and ate buffalo.

4. Washoe Indians wore buckskin clothing.

5. Washoe indians sometimes used smoke signals.

6. All Indians had war paint.

7. All Indians wore feather head dresses.

8. Washoe indians used clay pots.

9. Washoe Indians grew corn.

10. All Indians fought wars.