Field Day Activities for Studying Lewis and Clark

Native Americans told the story of their year through winter counts. They drew pictures on animal hides representing events that happened throughout the year. Some important events depicted on Native American winter counts included meteor showers, great medicines or the capture of animals.

Use large, brown paper bags as the animal hides. Encourage students to cut the bag in the shape of an animal skin. Modify the assignment to have students draw pictures of events that occurred during the school year. Younger students have difficulty remembering events from the previous year. Provide students with a few suggestions for starters such showing a new friend with two people holding hands. A special birthday can be depicted with a birthday cake and candles. A trip the student took can be highlighted with a suitcase.

Both Native Americans and Lewis & Clark created wood carvings. Modify this activity by using small bars of soap and plastic knives. Provide pictures of animals, plants and flowers. Encourage students to carve a design Lewis & Clark might have seen on their expedition. This is a messy activity and should be completed outside.

Lewis and Clark used sign language to communicate with the Native Americans they encountered. Teach students a few basic signs. The sign for buffalo is created by making fists with both hands, leaving the index finger out and slightly bent. Place hands on the sides of your forehead. The curved fingers represent the buffalo’s horns. Native Americans displayed the sign for friend by holding the right hand, palm forward, next to the right shoulder. Cross the index and middle finger, like your crossing your fingers for good luck. The sign for mountain is created by folding your hands into fists above your head. Bring them down, one at a time, to the side of your chest. Slowly move them upward, demonstrating the effort required to climb a mountain. Encourage students to come up with other signs Native Americans might have used to communicate.

Lewis and Clark created rubbings of new plants and leaves they encountered on their expedition. Supply students with a variety of leaves and grass to create rubbings. If time permits, allow students to gather some of their own leaves and grass. Cut white computer paper in half, and provide a variety of crayons or map pencils for students to use in creating a rubbing. Provide students with the names of leaves and grasses, writing them on the bottom of the rubbing.