| Teaching Guide
Teachers should also read the Life on the Prairie: A History of Illinois
Module Teaching Guide for further information.
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Aim
The Mississippian Indians at Cahokia tour will guide fourth-
and fifth-grade Chicago Public School students through the history of
Illinois during the pre-Columbian period.
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Rationale
It is important to learn about the ways and lifestyle of
the indigenous people of Illinois. Knowledge of the Mississippians at
Cahokia will increase the learners' appreciation for cultural differences
and for the accomplishments made by prehistoric people in Illinois. The
learner will also gain an appreciation of the Mississippians ingenuity
using the resources in his environment for the necessities needed to survive,
and for making an impact in history today. By understanding the trials
and accomplishments of our past, we can appreciate the present and build
for the future.
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Audience
This tour is designed for fourth- and fifth grade students
in the Chicago Public Schools. Private school students or any other young
people or adults interested in the Mississippian culture at Cahokia could
also use it.
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Prerequisites
•Reading at a 4th grade level
•Use of Internet browsers
•Use of mouse
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Subject
Matter
The subject matter of this module includes the following:
•The history of the Mississippian Indian culture in the State of
Illinois during the pre-Columbian period.
•The role that geography plays on the development of cities, landmarks
and how geography dictates the lifestyle of a people.
•Cultural anthropology of the Mississippian lifestyle.
•The role archeology plays in uncovering the past.
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Materials
Internet-connected computer with browser (version 5.0 recommended)
for each student or group of students; or a projector with a large group
of students.
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Instructional
Plan
It is recommended that teachers preview this tour to find
any concepts or vocabulary that may need to be covered before the students
begin. Teachers may wish to create a vocabulary/spelling list for using
the terms found in this tour.
Teachers are strongly encouraged to set up a discussion
time for students after each computer session so that they can reflect
and give feedback on what they have experienced so far in the tour.
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Learning
Objectives
Illinois State Goals
This tour is designed to specifically address Goals 14, 16, and 18 of
the Illinois State Learning Standards:
•State Goal 14: Understand, analyze, and compare political systems,
with an emphasis on the United States.
•State Goal 16: Understand and analyze events, trends, individuals
and movements shaping the history of Illinois, the United States and other
nations.
•State Goal 18: Understand, analyze, and compare social systems,
with an emphasis on the United States.
In addition this multidisciplinary tour indirectly addresses the other
goals through information about the Mississippian culture. Refer to the
standards chart for detailed information.
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Assessment
and Evaluation
Questions for Cahokia
Answer True or False
1. Mound 72 is the largest prehistoric earthen mound in
the world
2. Effigy pipes were carved in the shape of a man or an animal.
3. Woodhenge, was a calendar that marked the seasons and important dates.
4. The Mississippians ate every part of the deer, including the brains.
5. Division of labor means people worked at what they do best.
6. Monks Mound was located in the center of the plaza
7. Maize is another name for corn.
8. Archeologists discovered Mound 72 in 1972.
9. The "Great Sun" lived on a platform mound.
10. People were buried only in the conical mounds.
Essay
1. Describe how your local
government is organized and compare it with the Mississippian culture.
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Additional Information
The Field Museum has wonderful exhibits on the Indians of the Americas,
and you can get experience boxes containing artifacts for use in the classroom.
Information about experience boxes and planning a field trip to the museum
can be found here.
Background Information
The name "Trappist" comes from the Cistercan Abbey of La Trappe
in Normandy, France, reformed in the late 17th century. When the French
Revolution suppressed all the religious houses in the year 1790, the monks
of La Trappe took refuge as a Community in Switzerland, and after many
hardships and wanderings eventually returned to France in 1815 to refound
the Abbey and the Congregation of La Trappe. This Congregation flourished
and the houses of Trappists were founded in Europe, the United States
and elsewhere, so that at present there are some 100 houses of men and
60 of women throughout the world. [source]
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