The First Americans

1. The First Americans Jane Werner Watson Illustrated by Troy Howell

2. Vocabulary Strategies • Context Clues: Use the other words in the sentence or paragraph to figure out a word. Look for CLUE words to help you. • Word Structure: The meaning of a word can be figured out by using the prefix, base word, or suffix. • Apposition: The word is followed by the definition, which is often set off by commas.

3. Vocabulary Words • Wampum • Tundra • Tepees • Warriors • Herd • Cleared

4. Wampum • Many of the nations used strings of shell beads called wampum to pay for things they bought. • Many Native Americans used wampum, a form of money, to trade. • Small polished beads made from shells and strung together or woven into belts, collars, and necklaces. Used by some Native Americans as money.

5. Tundra • North of the woods, on the icy treeless plains, or tundra, other hunters and fisherman lived. • Native Americans who lived on the icy plains of the tundra traveled by sled. • A huge plain with no trees that lies in arctic regions.

6. Tepees • They carried their homes- called tepees- with them. • Native Americans of the Plains usually lived in tepees, tents shaped like cones that were usually made from buffalo skins. • A tent shaped like a cone. A tepee is made from animal skins stretched over poles.

7. Warriors • Boys of the plains nations wanted to grow up to be good hunters and warriors. • The warriors knew what it was like to fight in battle. • A person who fights or is experienced in fighting battles.

8. Herd • After that, he scouted for herds of buffalo and kept an eye out for enemies. • There was a herd of elephants crossing the plains. • A group of animals of one kind, especially large animals, keeping, feeding, or moving together.

9. Cleared • The men and boys also cleared trees and burned bushes. • We cleared our yard of trees to make room for our swimming pool. • To cut down