This fourth grade student investigated one of California’s native cultures. Differentiation for the assignment accommodated a learning disability as well as giftedness. The independent study was completed with fewer and less rigorous text requirements than other students and with less concern for original wording. The internet was utilized by the student to find and apply appropriate illustrations for the report. The presentation was completed in conjunction with instruction in PowerPoint.

The Maidu

Their Land The Maidu lived in the northern eastern part of California near where Sacramento is today.

Their Homes The Maidu often built their homes so people can see strangers coming. Their winter houses looked like a big round pile of earth with a hole on the top. In summer they had open air shelters. They cut branches to support a roof of sticks, grass, or dirt.

What They Wore In cooler seasons or high in the mountains, The Maidu sometimes wore moccasins stuffed with grass to protect their feet from the snow. They tied animal skins around their legs.

What they Ate The Maidu hunted deer, elk, rabbits, and birds. They fished for salmon and trout. They gathered wild plants, seeds, roots, insects, and berries.

What They Made They made baskets of willow, red bud, yellow pine, bear grass, or bracken fern. Beadwork was another important craft with the Maidu. It was used as decoration and for trade.

References “The Land and the First People.” Reflections: Our Community, pp Harcourt School Publishers m/maidu_indians.htmhttp:// m/maidu_indians.htm