Nez Perce War of 1877

Description:

Chief Joseph, a Nez Perce chief, is well known for his valiant effort to lead his people to Canada to avoid being confined to an ever-shrinking reservation. In this activity, the students will learn about the Nez Perce Indian War, role of written correspondence, and powerful speeches from the perspective of Chief Joseph, John Montieth, and Helen Julia Mason Walsh. Following the breakout of war in Idaho in 1877, nearly 800 Nez Perce spent a long and arduous summer fleeing U.S. Army troops first toward Crow allies and then toward refuge in Canada. Forty miles short of the Canadian border and following a five-day battle and siege, the Nez Perce ceased fighting at Bear Paw, Montana on October 5th, 1877, where Chief Joseph gave his immortal speech: "From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."

Tools:

Chief Joseph, Leader of Destiny by Kate Jessem Primary source documents including the following: Cause of the Nez Perce War Photo of Chief Joseph Chief Joseph A Notable Figure in Washington Letter from Chief Joseph to General Oliver Otis Howard, June 30, 1880 Letter from John B. Montieth to General Oliver Otis Howard, March 19, 1877 Personal account of Nez Perce War Helen Julia Mason Walsh Translated copy of Chief Josephs Surrender Google Map of the Nez Perce Historic Trail Latitude Longitude Coordinated and Maps Google Docs

Lesson Title:

Nez Perce War of 1877Lesson Goal:

Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to summarize the Nez Perce War and the importance of maintaining an open line of communication through correspondence.

Content Area and Grade or Age Level of Students:

English/Language Arts/Social Studies/4th GradeObjectives: Students will be able to: Describe the plight of Chief Joseph Generate a map marking the path Chief Joseph used seeking freedom Examine and compare primary source documents Compose a letter to a public official discussing an issue that is important to themStandards Addressed:

RL.4.1 Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text. RI.4.3 Explaining events procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text including what happened and why based on specific information into text. W.4.1 Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting points of view with reasons and information W.4.1a Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which related ideas are grouped to support the writers purpose. W.4.1b Provide reasons that are supported by facts and details. W.4.2 Right informative/ explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

Lesson Idea:

The Nez Perce War of 1877 in Idaho was the point in which life for the Nez Perce people changed forever. The war also had a profound impact on the military and civilian settlers in the area. For this activity, students will learn about the plight of the Nez Perce and the importance of correspondence because of the Treaty of 1855. Students will read a short story on Chief Joseph and then review several primary source documents from John B. Montieth, and Helen Julia Mason Walsh. They will follow the Nez Perce Trail from Wallowa, Oregon to Bear Paw, Montana, where Chief Joseph made his famous surrender speech.

1. Students will read Chief Joseph, Leader of Destiny written by Kate Jassem.

2. For more background information about Chief Joseph, students will read about the cause of the Nez Perce War.

a. The Daily Astorian, February 09, 1879b. The Indian Advocate, July 01, 1899c. The Indian Advocate, March 01, 1905

3. As a whole group, students will travel the Nez Perce Trail using Google Maps.

4. Using Google Maps, students will record the longitude, latitude, and elevation of the following sites along the Nez Perce trail:a. Wallowa Lake, Oregonb. Whitebird, Idahoc. Lower Dug Bar on the Snake River in Idahod. Tolo Lake, Idahoe. Lolo Pass, Montanaf. Bitterroot Valley, Montanag. Targhee Pass, Montanah. Bear Paw Battlefield, Montana

Taking the information gathered during the mapping activity, students will complete the following graphic organizer to determine the average elevation of the journey, identify the highest, and the lowest point. Students will then select the satellite tab at the upper right hand corner of the map and write down a description of the terrain Chief Joseph and his people travelled.

SiteLongitudeLatitudeElevationIdentify Highest and Lowest ElevationDescription of Terrain

Wallowa Lake, Oregon

Whitebird, Idaho

Lower Dug Bar, on the Snake River in Idaho

Tolo Lake, Idaho

Lolo Pass, Montana

Bitterroot Valley, Montana

Targhee Pass, Montana

Bear Paw Battlefield, Montana

5. Divide students into groups of three to review and discuss letters written by:a. Chief Josephb. Helen Julia Mason Walshc. John B. Montieth

6. As a whole group, discuss the importance of letters during this period of history and compare it to correspondence today.

7. As a whole group, read and discuss Chief Josephs surrender speech at Bear Paw, Montana.

8. After reading Chief Josephs surrender speech, students will listen to a reenactment of this famous speech.a. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEMdN_4GAs4

9. Next, students will brainstorm and discuss issues that are important to the students such as the environment, school funding, human rights10. Students will write letters using Google Docs to their local or state government leaders sharing their thoughts.

Assessment

Student letters will be assessed using the following rubric:

Letter-Writing : Nez Perce War

Teacher Name: Ms. Holthaus

Student Name: ________________________________________

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1

Ideas Ideas were expressed in a clear and organized fashion. It was easy to figure out what the letter was about. Ideas were expressed in a pretty clear manner, but the organization could have been better. Ideas were somewhat organized, but were not very clear. It took more than one reading to figure out what the letter was about. The letter seemed to be a collection of unrelated sentences. It was very difficult to figure out what the letter was about.

Sentences & Paragraphs Sentences and paragraphs are complete, well-constructed and of varied structure. All sentences are complete and well-constructed (no fragments, no run-ons). Paragraphing is generally done well. Most sentences are complete and well-constructed. Paragraphing needs some work. Many sentence fragments or run-on sentences OR paragraphing needs lots of work.

Content Accuracy The letter contains at least 5 accurate facts about the topic. The letter contains 3-4 accurate facts about the topic. The letter contains 1-2 accurate facts about the topic. The letter contains no accurate facts about the topic.

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