Lesson
Name:“The
Last Dance”
Grade
Level:12th
Grade
Lesson
Summary:This
lesson will explore the events, which surrounded the Wounded Knee Massacre.The
students will listen to Native American guest lecturers discuss the importance
of ceremonies.
Instructional
Objectives:
Upon
completion of this lesson, the students will be able to:
1.Write
a summary of Wovoka and his influence on the Ghost Dance.
2.Identify
and describe in detail the following American Indian ceremonies: Ghost
Dance, Wiwayan Wacipi, Hunkapi, and Hanbleceya.
3.Determine
if Wounded Knee should be referred to as a massacre or battle.
Materials:
1.Textbook
2.Guest
Speaker
3.Access
to Computer and Library for research
Anticipatory
Set:A
guest speaker from a Lakota/Nakota/Dakota tribe who will speak on the importance
of ceremonies in the American Indian culture.The
speaker will emphasize the Ghost Dance, Wiwayan Wacipi, Hunkapi, and Hanbleceya.The
students will be asked to take notes on these four ceremonies.
Procedure:
1.The
teacher will read “Songs and Stories” from the book entitled Legends
of the Mighty Sioux, by Oscar Howe.
2.The
teacher will give a brief lecture on Wovoka and his influence on the Ghost
Dance.The students will be asked
to research additional information on Wovoka and the Ghost Dance.Upon
completion of research, the students will write a poem based on the information
found.
3.The
teacher will lecture on the events surrounding the Wounded Knee Massacre.
Assessment:
1.The
students will give an oral presentation of the poem they created based
on their research findings.The poem
must include Wovoka’s vision—return of buffalo, return of ancestors, and
removal of the white man.
2.The
students will be quizzed on the four ceremonies discussed by the guest
speaker.The quiz will be made up
of multiple choice questions one short answer question.
3.An
essay test will be administered so that the students can recount the Wounded
Knee Massacre.
Closure:In
an effort to experience the Native American culture and the ceremonies
that they practice, the class will attend a local powwow.If
the class is unable to attend a powwow, the teacher will investigate the
possibility of asking powwow participators if they would bring in their
costumes and describe the importance of the design and color schemes.Before
asking someone outside of the classroom, the teacher will ask one or all
of the Native American students in their class to share traditional ceremonies,
which are important to them and their family.
Self-Evaluation:
1.Was
the speaker effective?Did he captivate
the students?
2.Were
the students given enough time to research and create their Wovoka poem?Did
writing poems help the students understand this historical event?
3.Should
the students be assessed by another means, other than tests and quizzes?