Native Americans in Arizona: Songs and Dances
Student Activity Number Two
Created by Mary A. Ruane
Introduction
The Navajo people have also lived in Arizona for many centuries.
Their culture is rich, with a long tradition. They have many colorful
legends, and were great storytellers. Many of the stories deal with
life in the desert. There are over 200,000 Navajos living in the
United States today. The majority of them live in the four corners
region in the Southwest.
The Task
In this activity, you will be reading a very short history of the Navajo
people. You will also learn about Navajo life today. You will
be able to read a very old and beautiful legend of the sun-god and his
horses. You will use your imagination to create a legend about something
you have noticed in your own life. Finally, you will learn the words
to a Navajo song. You are ready to proceed with this lesson.
Please read all of the directions before you click on your first
site.
The Process
PLEASE REMEMBER: TO GET BACK AFTER VISITING A SITE, CLICK ON "BACK".
1. You will be reading about the history and modern culture of
the NAVAJO . Scroll
down the page to finish reading.
2. With pencil and paper, write a brief account of the Navajo
history. Be sure to include points which you consider
to be important.
3. Write a brief description of Navajo life today.
4. Next, you will read about the legend of the sun-god, followed
by the SONG
OF THE HORSES .
5. As you read the legend of the sun-god, you realized that it
was really 2 stories. With pencil and paper, answer
this question: What do you think happened
in Navajo history to bring about the second story?
6. On paper, write a short "legend" about something which you
have experienced in your life.
7. Read the Navajo "Song of the Horses". Write the answer
to this question: Why do you think that the singer is singing about
the "turquoise" horse?
How You Will Be Assessed
You will be graded on the accuracy and detail of your writing. Be
sure that you include the important points to each answer. You will
also be graded on the creativity of your "legend". Let your imagination
roam!
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