The American Southwest encompasses a large range of geography and environments covering most of Arizona and New Mexico and extending into southeast California, Utah, Colorado, Texas and Chihuahua, Mexico.

The earliest people lived in the Southwest around 12,000 years ago. They were small mobile groups of hunter-gatherers who relied on plants and large animals like bison. Today over 40 tribes exist in this area. Tribes such as the Apache, Hopi, Navajo, Rio Grande Pueblos, and Zuni, make arts and crafts that follow traditions passed along from their ancestors. These include beautifully decorated pottery, silver and turquoise jewelry, wool woven rugs, paintings, beadwork, stone carvings, and, basketry. Dances, celebrations, and ceremonies also help preserve ancient traditions of the American Southwest.

The teaching kit contains:

• Actual examples of tools, ceramic vessels, foods and crafts of Southwest peoples
• Modern crafts such as basketry and woven goods
• Reference works and children's books
• Audio and video tapes highlighting the various cultures
• Posters, slides and overheads
• Lesson plans and activities

Move the cursor over the image below to download .pdf files of the lesson plans and activities


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