Last week first graders learned about the Maidu tribe of California. Students discovered that their homes were earth lodges made from wood, earth, branches, and twigs. The Maidu were hunters and gatherers who’s diet consisted of small animals, seeds, acorns, and roots. They used grasses to make tightly woven baskets and seed beaters to knock seeds off of stems to be collected.
Students discovered that the Maidu tribe wore very little clothing because of their warm climate. They wore special clothing for ceremonies including feather bunches or feather crowns. First graders especially enjoyed making their own ceremonial bunches!