Inquiry Box: Northern Florida's Early Native People

Suitable for: All ages but geared to 3rd-5th grade

Participants will:

  • Investigate the lives of Florida's early native peoples from the hunting-and-gathering Paleoindians to the farming Apalachee and Timucuan peoples.
  • Learn about their culture, community, clothing, games, houses, tools, food and trade items.
  • Find out how life changed in Florida after the arrival of European explorers.
  • Hold and explore replicas and ancient artifacts.

 

The Florida's Northern Early Native People Inquiry Box (2 large royal blue suitcases) contains books (both fiction and nonfiction), a video, word cards, laminated teaching aids and a teacher's guide (including a suggested approach sheet). This Inquiry Box features 14 shared boxes, each designed to be explored by 1-3 students.

 

Each shared box contains:

Inquiry Box contents - North Florida Early Native People

  • Celt
  • Chunky stone
  • Owl totem replica
  • Food packet (corn kernel, pumpkin seeds, dried bean, jerky, seashell, sunflower seed, peach pit, fish bones, acorns, shark tooth, and peas)
  • Trade bag (bell, glass beads, jewelry, mica, potsherd, quartzite, seashells, shark tooth, and string)
  • 2 pieces of terra cotta clay
  • Packet with fibers for cord making

This Inquiry Box was designed using the Sunshine State Standards and is intended to enhance FCAT preparation.

 

Teacher's Guide to Florida's Native People

This teacher's guide may be used for Inquiry Box presentations, Inquiry Box loans and museum visits. The guide contains information on Florida's Indian people, information on associated subjects and related fields of study, vocabulary and suggested activities. All activities are designed to integrate social studies, language arts, math and science in a unified learning experience. Permission is granted to reproduce the information and activities for student and teacher use. All guides are in PDF format.

 

Full Teacher's Guide

Table of Contents

Part One - Introduction and General Information

Part Three - Northern Florida's Early Native People

Part Five - References (Answers, Vocabulary, Bibliography)



Suggested Links

The Timucua - Florida Center for Instructional Technology

The Apalachees of Northwest Florida - Florida Center for Instructional Technology

Timucua Kids Page - E. Dale Joyner Nature Preserve at Pelotes Island

Native American Tribes of Florida - Native Languages of the Americas

Timucua Indian Language (Timucuan) - Native Languages of the Americas