4th grade · Social Studies · Unit 3 of 8
California Indian Nations
Many nations, then and now
What your child practices
Some of California's many Indian nations, such as the Chumash, Tongva, Ohlone, Kumeyaay, Cahuilla, Mojave, Pomo, Yurok, Hupa, Karuk, Miwok and Yokuts: where they live, how they use and care for the land, trade, and tribal governments today. Light, in the present tense, and with nothing sacred or ceremonial.
California Content Standards learning standard: 4.2.1 · the major nations of California Indians, where they live, their economies, and how they depended on, adapted to and changed the environment
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Nations in the north built homes of…
- adobe bricks
- steel
- redwood or cedar planks
- snow
redwood or cedar planks
Hint: Big trees grew nearby.
Question 2
How did geography shape what nations ate?
- nations didn't hunt or gather
- all food came by ship
- each nation used the plants and animals of its land
- everyone ate the same foods
each nation used the plants and animals of its land
Hint: Coast, river, valley and desert foods differ.
Question 3
Each nation had leaders, often a chief or headperson, who…
- never spoke
- helped make decisions for the community
- owned all the land alone
- were chosen by Spain
helped make decisions for the community
Hint: Communities governed themselves.
Question 4
The Chumash build plank canoes called…
- rafts
- tomols
- kayaks
- dugouts
tomols
Hint: Tomols cross the channel to the islands.
Question 5
Many nations in central California gathered acorns from…
- oak trees
- redwood cones
- palm trees
- cactus
oak trees
Hint: Acorns are ground into flour.
Question 6
Salmon are important to the Yurok because…
- they are a kind of tree
- they are a main food and part of the river's life
- they live in the desert
- they are only for sale
they are a main food and part of the river's life
Hint: The Klamath River is home to salmon runs.