Lesson 11: Battle of Canyon Creek (Battle with the Crows) Non- Verbal Communication Activity By Karen Peterson, Hellgate Elementary

Summary

In this lesson students will understand the importance of clear communication and the many different ways people can communicate. In the story, Thunder Rolling in the Mountains,  two cultures collide just like those of the Tainos and Columbus in 1492, or the Alphas and the Betas. How communication barrier are broken can be helpful for students as a interpersonal skill. Students will learn universal sign language and Native American Plains Hand Talk-sign language. Students will get the the opportunities to use some of the Hand Talk in conveying a message to their partner. Student will view a video clip that shows Plain Hand Talk and an actual story being told in a Council of Native American that was held in Montana. in the early 1900’s. 

Lesson Objectives and Montana Core Curriculum Standards for English Language Arts

Reading StandardsFoundational SkillsPhonics and Word Recognition

This lesson addresses the following objectives. 

Students will:3. Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.a. Use combined knowledge of all letter-sound correspondences, syllabication patterns, and morphology (e.g., roots and affixes) to read accurately unfamiliar multisyllabic words in context and out of context.(Standard 3)FluencyThis lesson addresses the following unit objectives.  Students will: 4. Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.a. Read on-level text with purpose and understanding.b. Read on-level prose and poetry orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings.c. Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.

Speaking and Listening StandardsComprehension and Collaboration

This lesson addresses the following unit objectives.  

Students will:2. Paraphrase portions of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

This lesson addresses the following unit objectives.  Students will:4. Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience in an organized manner, using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace. Include sources by and about American Indians.5. Add audio recordings and visual displays to presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes.

Language StandardsConventions of Standard English

This lesson addresses the following unit objectives.  Students will:1. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking

Knowledge of Language

This lesson addresses the following unit objectives.  Students will:3. Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

Resources/Materials/Teacher Preparation:Thunder Rolling in the Mountain, Battle of Canyon CreekSmartboard,Student Online Assignment for Thunder Rolling in the Mountain; Chapter 14, Maps of Montana, Native American  Language http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/npnht/learningcenter/?cid=fsbdev3_055783 Hand Talk Plain Indians http://sunsite.utk.edu/pisl/videos.html

Background Information

Thunder Rolling in the Mountain; Chapter 14 - After one day’s stay at the Land of the Spirit Fountains, the Nimi’ipuu people travelled  to Crow country and followed the rivers. The prisoners were still with Sound of Running Feet and she wants to make the younger women feel better. Since her sign language was not working and neither were her words, Sound of Running Feet used a weaved hat to show the girl that she can wear it. Dirty Face, the name Sound of Running gave to the younger woman, put the hat on the younger girl's flying hair and flashed a shy smile at Sound of Running Feet. Sound of Running Feet felt  better for the prisoners. When they reached the river, Chief Joseph picked the horses that carried the heaviest loads and sent the prisoners free. For several suns the Nimi’ipuu continued to travel to Crow country which was just over the Absaroka Mountains. The scouts alerted the Nimi’ipuu people that soldiers were waiting on every trail for their arrival. They followed Lean Elk through strange canyons, towering rocks that threaded through twists and turns and extremely narrow passes of the Absarokas . Looking Glass rode ahead to meet with the Crows and discuss their support. The clan followed behind and the Crows and the Nimi’ipuu smoked pipes and discussed the situation. The Crows gave bullets but did not want to join their fight as they feared revenge. Chief Joseph called a council with Lean Elk, Ollokot, Looking Glass, White Bird, Too-hul-hul-sote, Lone Bird, Yellow Bird, Antelope Red Stone and Ferocious Bear. The time presented a serious tone in Chief Joseph’s words and his demeanor. He told  the chiefs that all the tribes are now their enemies in addition to every white man in the mountains. He continued to explain that the Nimi’puu were warned 13 snows ago with Preacher Chivington and the raid of  Black Kettle’s village, it was at that time the tribes of the area learned to hate settlers and now we all hate each other. Chief Joseph further explained that the Nimi’ipuu people were far away from the one-armed general, however with the click-clack, it  told soldiers at every fort to look for them.  The soldiers were everywhere and moving in their direction, What was the next move?. The council decided to go north to Sitting Bull's territory  in Old Lady’s Country. It was agreed by the council.

Thunder Rolling in the Mountains; Chapter 15 -  Battle of the Crows; The Nimi’ipuu were now traveling north and it wasn’t long before the soldiers had caught up with them. For two suns Chief Joseph led his clan up into a canyon, with trails of rolling hills covered with sage brush. The canyon rims was rocky and had no trees. The clan camped and it was 2 suns before the warriors meet up with the clan again. Swan Necklace brought  antelope meat to the tribe and they distributed it but there other food supplies were growing slim. Swan Necklace explained to Sound of Running Feet that it was a bitter day because the Crow were fighting against them right beside the soldiers. Sound of Running Feet could see the fate of the tribe and that the whole world appeared to be after them and how could they continue to fight. Before the morning star shone they had to break camp and hurry to Old Lady’s Country. They continued for six suns with little rest and little food. They ran across some Crows hunting and since the Crow were not going to help them the Nimi’ipuu took their horses. When they came to the Big River they crossed it relatively easy. On the other side of the river were buildings and boxes of supplies. Chief Joseph asked for supplies and received a slab of bacon and hard bread, not nearly enough for the whole tribe. At that point Chief Joseph sent the clan ahead to set up camp and then he went back and raided the building for food. The tribe feasted that night.

Procedure

1. Students will review communication skills; barriers in communication and how it feels to not be able to communicate.

2. Students will think, reflect back on and Alpha and Beta Activity where they experienced communication barriers and cultural differences.

3. Discuss the student's recollections and how given their maturity level how would they communicate with a person from another culture and in a war setting.

4. Go over videos in Hand Talk; Nez Perce Language http://sunsite.utk.edu/pisl/videos.html Discuss universal signs and American Sign Language 

5.Students will read Chapters 14 and 15 (Pages 76 - 85) and be able to discuss the forms of communication that were used.

6.Students will pay close attention to the subtle movements in the reenactment of the Battle of Canyon Creek,  but without any words, only body language, emotions and symbols.

7.Students will write down the sequence of events as told through the reenactment.

8.As a whole class read the Background Knowledge; Nimi’ipuu Simulation of the Battle of Canyon Creek or the Battle with the Crows, they self correct their interpretations of the events of the Battle.

9.  Students write a conclusion of the activity What things did you miss from the communication? Why?

10. Students who are in the Battle of Bear Paw practice the battle with the smartboard presentation. 

Formative Assessment responses to questions

Summative Assessment  written conclusions with more input is better than no input