Virtual Native American Museum Exhibits

Native American tribes were the first people that lived in the area of South Carolina. These tribes were all a part of the group of Native Americans known as the Eastern Woodlands and were among the first Native Americans to encounter the European colonists.  There were 3 specific groups that lived in the area of the Carolina colony when the colonists arrived – the Cherokee, the Catawba, and the Yemasee. Each had distinct culture, daily life, and political systems that were influenced by where they lived and the language they spoke.  

The National Museum of the American Indian is one of the museums of the Smithsonian Institution.  They currently have museums in Washington, DC, and New York City.  They are currently considering featuring exhibits that focus on the Native Americans in each of the 50 states.  They have asked you and your team to design a virtual exhibit that focuses on one of the Eastern Woodlands tribes from South Carolina as a model of what a real exhibit might look like.  As you prepare your exhibit, be sure to consider the following questions in order to help you answer the essential question:

  • What are the most important facts for Americans to know about the tribes that lived in South Carolina?
  • How did the geography of the area impact the way these tribes lived?

You will create a virtual museum exhibit to share with the Smithsonian.  Your virtual exhibit will include artifacts and information that will teach visitors about the tribe you choose.  

Duration
2-3 hours
Lesson Type
Project Based Lesson

Lesson Created By: Kim Buice and Christine Horowitz

Lesson Partners: Spartanburg School District 7

Essential Question

What artifacts will help visitors to the museum understand how the earliest of South Carolinians lived?

Grade(s):

  • 8

Subject(s):

Recommended Technology:

Personal iPads required for each student

Other Instructional Materials or Notes:

Lesson Progression

Step 1: 
In groups of 2 or 3, students will choose 1 of the 3 Eastern Woodlands tribes from South Carolina (Cherokee, Catawba, or Yemassee), and then choose an area of focus from the list below:

  • Geography: How did the tribes adapt, modify, and interact with their natural environments?
  • Art and Culture: How was language/storytelling, tools/painting/pottery/etc. unique to this specific tribe?
  • Political and Social Systems: How did religion and tribal politics have an impact on the members of the tribe?

Step 2:
Students will now need to learn how to create a virtual museum and get theirs set up.  Then they can add artifacts which will link to new slides that share the required information about the tribe.

Step 3:
Students will present their virtual museums to the class.  During the presentation, they will act as docents at the museum, which means they will share more information than is shown and be able to answer questions from the museum visitors (their classmates and the teacher).  Teachers may then have the class rate each museum exhibit and choose which ones they think should be used by the Smithsonian.  
 

SC Indians - Native Americans in SC

At least 29 distinct groups of Indians lived within South Carolina. These groups are called tribes. Today, the many places in our state that bear the names of tribes attest to the important role Indians played in South Carolina's history.

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South Carolina Indian Tribes

The following tribes at one time are recorded in history as having resided within the present state of South Carolina. If the tribe name is in bold, then South Carolina is the primary location known for this tribe, otherwise we provide the tribes specifics as it pertains to South Carolina and provide a link to the main tribal page if available.

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The Early Inhabitants of Georgia

The Early Inhabitants of Georgia, Part 2 | Georgia Stories
Segments: Cultures Blend, Tough Choices, and Keeping Cultures Alive Today.

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National Museum of the American Indian

Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian - various links.

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