Reflection
Town Creek Indian Mound captured my attention as a child. I often came here with my mother during the summer to the festivals and craft fairs they offered. Native American culture has always been an interesting topic to me. I chose this topic as my project because I wanted to learn what Town Creek was about. Although I visited often as a child, it never stuck with me what the site was actually offering for me to learn about. During my research for this project I learned a lot. I was able to gain a deeper understanding about the Pee Dee Indians and their culture. I was surprised to find out that the Pee Dee culture was not common to North Carolina Native Americans of the piedmont region. They had a unique way of living and held a strong belief in a hierarchal system, religion, and community. The mound was actually constructed. I originally though the mound was just a natural hill, I did not realize that it was actually constructed over time on top of an earth lodge. The time and effort the Pee Dee people poured into their village is captivating. Another new and interesting thing I learned through my research was that there were actual burials that took place at the site. I originally thought the mound was just for gathering during ceremonies. The amount of burials that took place here amazes me.
I could use the information I learned during my research in the classroom of all grades. Native American knowledge makes up a large amount of social studies standards, and since North Carolina is the main concern of 4th grade Town Creek Indian Mound will be interesting to have the students learn about because we could also visit it. Another aspect I could use within my classroom is the importance of understanding that not all Native Americans and their cultures are the same. Different tribes have different traditions. This would connect with real world issues because students need to understand that everyone is different and each culture has their own unique ideas and ways of doing things. Some possible standards that connect with this subject include:
1.H.1. Understand that history tells a story of how people and events changed society over time.
2.H.1.3. Compare various interpretations of the same time period using evidence such as photographs and interviews.
3.H.1.1 Explain key historical events that occurred in the local community and regions over time.
4.H.1.1 Summarize the change in cultures, everyday life and status of indigenous American Indian groups in NC before and after European exploration.
4.H.1.3 Explain how people, events and developments brought about changes to communities in various regions of N.C.
4.H.2.1 Explain why important buildings, statues, monuments, and place names are associated with the state's history.
4.C.1 Understand the impact of various cultural groups on North Carolina.
I could use the information I learned during my research in the classroom of all grades. Native American knowledge makes up a large amount of social studies standards, and since North Carolina is the main concern of 4th grade Town Creek Indian Mound will be interesting to have the students learn about because we could also visit it. Another aspect I could use within my classroom is the importance of understanding that not all Native Americans and their cultures are the same. Different tribes have different traditions. This would connect with real world issues because students need to understand that everyone is different and each culture has their own unique ideas and ways of doing things. Some possible standards that connect with this subject include:
1.H.1. Understand that history tells a story of how people and events changed society over time.
2.H.1.3. Compare various interpretations of the same time period using evidence such as photographs and interviews.
3.H.1.1 Explain key historical events that occurred in the local community and regions over time.
4.H.1.1 Summarize the change in cultures, everyday life and status of indigenous American Indian groups in NC before and after European exploration.
4.H.1.3 Explain how people, events and developments brought about changes to communities in various regions of N.C.
4.H.2.1 Explain why important buildings, statues, monuments, and place names are associated with the state's history.
4.C.1 Understand the impact of various cultural groups on North Carolina.