Native American Life
- Grade Level: 4th Grade
- Location: Shipley Nature Center or Mount San Antonio College
- Program Length: 2 Hours
- Standards Supported: California History–Social Science Standard 4.2.1
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Cost: Visit our Program Fees page for more information!
How does where we live shape the way we live? During this immersive field trip, students investigate how California's diverse geography and climate influenced the cultures, technologies, and daily lives of Indigenous peoples throughout the state. Through hands-on activities, students weave baskets, play traditional games, practice fire making, compare Native American homes, prepare acorns, and explore traditional hunting techniques while discovering how different tribal nations depended on, adapted to, and modified their natural environments.
Field Investigations
- Basket Weaving: Practice traditional basket weaving while discovering how Indigenous communities used locally available plant materials to create tools for everyday life.
- Traditional Lifeways: Experience traditional games, fire making, and food preparation while exploring how these activities supported daily life and strengthened communities.
- Homes Across California: Compare traditional homes built by the Tongva and Acjachemen, Miwok, and Yurok to discover how geography, climate, and available natural resources influenced where and how people lived.
- Hunting & Stewardship: Explore traditional hunting practices and learn how Indigenous communities harvested natural resources with respect, reciprocity, and sustainability.
Ready to Join Us?
Ready to explore California's Indigenous cultures through hands-on experiences?