Students create a glossary of words used in the English language that have
Native American origins.
Objectives
Students learn about the influence of Native American words on the English language.
Keywords
Native American, English, glossary, language
Materials Needed
printouts from sites listed in the lesson plan
tagboard or lined chart paper
dictionaries
writing paper
paper or pens
construction paper
markers or crayons
Lesson Plan
Prior to the lesson, print out pages from Take Our Word for It (click the Spotlight link),
Take Our Word for It Archives (N-P) (scroll down and click on
Native American words in English), or
Squash. (Another resource for teachers is the book O Brave New
Words: Native American Loanwords in Current English, by Charles
L. Cutler.)
Write one or more of the words from the sources on tagboard or chart paper. Call on students to read the words. Explain that the words are common English words that have Native American origins. Tell students they are going to create a glossary using the words on the board and other words.
Assign each student a word. Tell each student to write the definition of his or her word from a dictionary.
When everyone has finished, ask students to compile the completed definitions in ABC order. Ask students to brainstorm a design for the cover of the glossary. Have one or more students use construction paper and markers or crayons to create the cover illustration.
Extension: Have students use library sources or the Internet to locate and print out pictures of as many of the words in the glossary as possible. Have students illustrate the words they cannot find.
