How did the Native Americans Adapt to Their Environments?Notes. September 8

Examine this picture of the Canadian forest. Imagine that you have suddenly been placed in this environment, and you must survive there for a year. On the top of page ___ of your spiral describe the shelter you would build, the clothing you would make to protect yourself from the elements, and the tools you would create to acquire food.

Tell why you designed the items the way you did. Mention the natural resources you would use.

Taking Notes from a Class Lecture•Listen and write notes.

•Put things in your own words. Don’t copy word for word.

•Use the slide titles as section headings in your notes.

Native Americans Originally Migrated From Asia•Ice Age land bridge across Bering Strait

•Encouraged by pursuit of big game hunting

•20,000 -50,000 years ago

•Nomadic people spread out across the continent.

Geographic Regions that were home to Native Americans in North America in the 1500s.

• Geographic Region = area with common natural characteristics

• United States can be divided into 8▫California▫Northwest Coast▫Plateau▫Great Basin▫Southwest▫Great Plains▫Eastern Woodlands▫Southeast

Natural Environment Encountered by Native Americans•Environment = everything that surrounds

us▫Temperature▫Food supply▫Water supply▫Altitude▫Landforms

•Every environment has natural resources, climate and vegetation

Native Americans Adapted to Their Environments•Because the regions were different, life in

those regions became different.

•Created seperate and unique cultures▫Culture = people’s whole way of life

•Respected earth and everything that lived on it.

• Built shelter using materials from surroundings

• Managed freshwater resources responsibly (no over-fishing)

• Developed special tools for hunting and food production

• Produced clothing compatible with environment

• Spirituality, rituals and values depend on environment as well.