The Cherokee Tribe and Their Trail of Tears

This unit provides an opportunity for 5^th graders to learn basic information about the Cherokee tribe and the injustice in their removal from their land. Thousands of Native Americans were forced from land in Tennessee and neighboring states and marched to new land in Oklahoma. They spent months walking and traveled hundreds of miles. Students will learn about this removal, referred to as the Trail of Tears, and the obstacles the Cherokee faced. The students will also learn where major Cherokee communities are located today.

Many works of literature have been written about this dark day in American history. The students will be exposed to a poem written by Abe del Jones and use the rich descriptive language to create an illustration. The main focus of the unit is based on math and the students’ ability to problem solve and perform calculations using mixed numbers. The unit culminates with the creation of a mat and a basket using weaving techniques that are simpler versions of what Native Americans actually use.