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3rd grade · Social Studies · Unit 3 of 7

Arizona's Indian Nations

Twenty-two nations, their lands and governments today

What your child practices

An introduction to Arizona's 22 federally recognized tribes as living communities: where some of them are, tribal governments and services, languages, tribal businesses and how tribes, the state and cities work together. Kept light and in the present tense.

Arizona Academic Standards learning standard: 3.H1.1; 3.C3.1; 3.H2.2 · Arizona's cultures, the structure of tribal governments, and how groups have worked together in Arizona

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. Arizona has 22 federally recognized tribes, such as the Navajo Nation, Tohono O’odham Nation and Hopi Tribe.
  2. Each has its own government, services and lands.
  3. Many families teach children their Native language to keep their culture strong.

Example: How many federally recognized tribes are in Arizona? Arizona has many nations. The number is 22. Answer: 22

Arizona's Indian Nations in Arizona

In the Arizona Academic Standards, this is unit 3 of 7 in 3rd grade Social Studies, after Arizona Through Time and before Governing Arizona.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Arizona Department of Education

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Hopi villages are found on and around…

    • the shores of an ocean
    • the top of Humphreys Peak
    • three mesas in northeastern Arizona

  2. Question 2

    The Gila River Indian Community is home to the Akimel O'odham and…

    • Paiute people
    • Pee-Posh (Maricopa) people
    • Hopi people

  3. Question 3

    The Hualapai Tribe welcomes visitors to the Grand Canyon West area, which has the…

    • Skywalk, a glass walkway over the canyon
    • tallest building in Arizona
    • state capitol

  4. Question 4

    About how much of Arizona's land is tribal land?

    • about one quarter
    • almost none
    • all of it

  5. Question 5

    Tribal businesses such as resorts, farms and stores help tribes…

    • leave Arizona
    • pay for services for their members
    • stop working

  6. Question 6

    Many O'odham communities make baskets and grow desert foods like tepary beans. This shows…

    • how people use the resources of their land
    • that everyone eats the same food
    • that the desert has no plants

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