My 3rd grade lesson, The Legend of Minnesota, is on American Indians from the Red Lake Band of Ojibwe.  The lesson talks about their housing and being self-sufficient off of the land.  One of my essential questions is, "How do geography, climate, and natural resources affect the way you live?"  What can we do to make a difference in our community and the housing situations?

As an anticipatory set, I would put the word "self-sufficient" on the board.  Ask the children what it means and whether it is a good thing or not.  I would ask the students to imagine that they are in the early America time frame and living on Red Lake.  Brainstorm of what life would be like at this time, and put ideas on the whiteboard.  Remind them how peoples lives centered around providing food and shelter for themselves.  The tribe was self-sufficient, each member contributed to the survival of the tribe, by using the resources that were available to them.  Ask students to name the chores that were required of the members.

The students then would be asked to compare and contrast modern living with the time of the American Indian and analyze the importance of a family and community working together for a greater good.  Students would then learn about the organization called Habitat for Humanity.  The local representative would come to the classroom and explain how the program provides housing for those in need but also requires the future homeowner to donate hours of work into the house along with all the other volunteers.

The students will be able to describe the importance of self-sufficiency and illustrate how it works today and in the past.  As a field trip, the class could go to the site of the current house and donate their time along with chaperons/parents.  The children could help with yard clean up and other various chores that would not be dangerous.  Through their actions of teamwork, they would learn how important a community is and gain self confidence.

The lesson should enhance a students learning by listening about the early American Indian times and comparing and contrasting them to the times of today with the project of Habitat for Humanity.  Self-confidence would be gained through teamwork with their helpful actions at the house site.  It would also help them to realize that they actions make a difference in the community.