The Task

During this unit we will look at the way Native Americans use the sea and riverways as a food source. They called upon old ways, handed down from generation to generation. We will CREATE THE SAME PRODUCT those early Americans used after we learn all about it.

To complete the learning task successfully, you will be working as a large group on some occasions and in small groups or teams.  

• First in a large group you will observe and talk about the changes in the water levels in the Greater Boston area.  During the second lesson you will discuss your fishing experiences in a large group.
• Once you've thought about the geography of the land long ago, and reflected on your own experiences fishing, you will break into groups to continue your investigations and experiments throughout the unit.
• Towards the end of the lesson we will be visited by the Boston City Archeologist, Boston Landmarks Commission.  Arm yourself with questions to research about the land, any tools available to early Americans, and the most abundant fish in the area.
  

To help guide your activities and to think about this project, answer these questions:
1. What kind of weather made for the best fishing?

2. If it were difficult to fish all year long, how would the Native Americans feed themselves during the off-season?  Which way is the easiest and safest way to find food?

3. Can a person use a fish weir in all kinds of water (salt and/or fresh)?

4. Which fish were the most plentiful?

Process