Native American Lesson Plan:

Comparison of Political Life

Objective: students will compare and contrast political leadership of three (3) cultures.

Museumlink Web sites:

Native American, historical,

Leadershttps://www.museum.state.il.us/muslink/nat_amer/post/htmls/soc_leaders.html

Warfarehttps://www.museum.state.il.us/muslink/nat_amer/post/htmls/soc_war.html

Social Status

https://www.museum.state.il.us/muslink/nat_amer/post/htmls/soc_status.html

Time Required: 45 minutes

Students will read or be introduced to these sections of the Web site, along with

readings or discussion about the systems of leadership of the Euro-American

settlers, and those of today.

Discussion Questions for each system (Illinois Indians, Euro-settlers, todayís:

Who was eligible to become a leader?

What qualities raised oneís status?

What qualities did the people look for in a leader?

How were leaders chosen of society chosen?

What were the leadersí responsibilities?

How was their leadership judged? By whom?

What happened to a failed leader? How? Why?

How was this system advantageous for society? Disadvantageous?

Middle/Junior High: During the discussion, students can fill in the Venn diagram in

order to see the shared traits of the three societies, and to see the differences.

Early High School: After the discussion, students can write their conclusions about

the meaning of an aspect of the comparison and contrast(participatory democracy

versus consensus of leaders, leadership qualities, status of women, sex roles in

society)

Late High School: After the discussion, students can write an analysis of the

consequences to the successful maintenance of one of the societies mentioned of

their type of political system (especially when confronting a culture with a different

system, as in the settlement by Europeans of Illinois)

Assessment:

Student writing should show an understanding of the concepts of the web site

materials and written materials on the subject. Analyses should show comparison

and contrast of parallel issues appropriately attributed to each culture.