Native Californian Films!

1. Students read about Native Californians .
2. Divide students into 4 groups and assign them categories: Desert, Mountain, Central Valley, and Coastal Native American groups.
3. Have students use a graphic organizer to recall the information - Native American food, trade, travel, homes, language, etc.
4. Students work as a group to create a "film" about their Native American group...
a. Decide on a "news cast" film or "time travel" film
b. Decide on a title
c. Assign parts to all members of the group
d. Students work together to write a scrip involving all members
Students also assign props/create backdrops needed, etc.
e. Students practice the skit/film
5. On film day, teacher films the skits using a flip camera. One of our groups chose to film using a "green screen" effect.
6. Share the films on the final day...have a movie day with popcorn!