Project Overview

This magazine was created by 3^rd graders at the Mary O. Pottenger Elementary School in Springfield, Massachusetts as part of a three-month learning expedition on Native Americans in New England.

Students explored stereotypes of Native Americans; the daily lives of pre-colonial Northeastern woodland tribes; and the lives of contemporary Native Americans. Throughout the duration of the expedition, Native American culture was woven into all subject areas, and students were supported to produce quality artistic products using a variety of traditional crafts used by local Native Americans.

The Learning expedition also addressed issues of stereotypes in history and in the present – including stereotypes that affected the lives of the students in this multi-ethnic classroom. Because the teacher herself was Native American, issues of past and present stereotypes of Native Americans could be addressed with personal investment and connection, creating a forum for students to consider and address how ethnic stereotypes affect their vision, their lives, their families, and the school community.

Students studied content about pre-colonial Native peoples through traditional historical research and through fieldwork, working with local experts and examination of artifacts. Fieldwork included a trip to the living history museum, Mashantucket Pequot, in Connecticut. This fieldwork was essential to Native American Living because it provided powerful and memorable imagery that students could then use to create and critique their own representations of Native American life.

The final product captures student representations of many important aspects of Wampanoag culture. Each student created his or her own illustration page for the magazine and described the artwork with a well-written caption.  

Students used peer critique and multiple drafts for their writing and art projects.