Native American History: The Copena Indian Mounds
On this virtual field trip, you will explore the Oakville Indian Mounds that still exist today. We will be focusing on the Ceremonial Mound and the Burial Mound.
From 1,000 BC to 1,000 AD, the Eastern part of the United States, including North Alabama, underwent what is known as the Woodland Period. The various indian tribes that came to Alabama during this time were termed Woodland Indians. This period was characterized by the intense population growth, culture, technological advances, mortuary practices, and more. Among these indian tribes were the Copena Indians who settled in the Oakville area.
In Oakville, Alabama, there is a park that contains two indian mounds that were used by the Woodland Indians. Specifically, the Copena Indians inhabited the this area and considered it a religious center.The first three letters of copper and the last three letters of galena were used to create their tribe name because they were known for using these resources. The Copena people built these mounds to use for ceremonial, religious, social, cultural, and burial purposes.
Woodland Ceremonial Mound
One of the two existing mounds in Oakville is the Woodland Ceremonial Mound. The majority of the Woodland period was focused on the increased emphasis on ceremonies, religious practices, and tribe culture rituals. The Copena indians built this ceremonial mound in order to have a location to participate in these acts. To build this mound, the indians would use hand-made stone spades to dig up soil and transfer it into baskets. These baskets full of dirt would then be carried to the mound and dumped onto the surface. They would do a layer of dirt, and then spread a layer of clay on top of it and let the sun dry and harden it. They repeated this process until the mound was finished. The hardening of the clay is a main reason why the mound is still standing today. This mound covers 1.5 acres and stands roughly 27 feet high. This mound has not yet been excavated, so a lot of information about these Indians could still be hiding beneath the surface.
The Copena Indians' Ceremonial Mound
Copena Burial Mound
The Copena indians were also known for their burial practices and rituals. They built this mound as a place to honor and bury their dead. The dead would be buried in a specific spot and the indians would build a small mound on top of them. Then they would bury more people in the mound that covers the first layer of dead. Overtime, the indians would have a burial mound that contains multiple deceased members of their communities. This Copena burial mound ranges 0.25 acres wide and almost 20 feet high.
As previously stated, the Copena indians were known for their use of copper and galena. They would bury their dead with these either as fashion items or raw materials. Following the Copena indians, settlers moved into the Oakville area. Their burial practices were more advanced, using stones and tools to engrave personal information. These settlers used the Copena mound as a place to build their graves. A few years ago, the mound was vandalized by thieves looking for jewels. They broke the settlers' tombs but came up empty because the tombs were already emptied.
Assignment
Digital Story
Grading Rubric
After completing the virtual field trip, you must take the information that you have learned about the Copena indian mounds and create a digital story.
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A digital story is just a narrative told with digital media technology.
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use a digital storytelling software of your choice (examples: iMovie, Storybird, Comic Master, etc.)
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For this digital story, pretend that you are a child of your age living in the Copena indian society at the time that these mounds were being built. Tell a story about what a day in your life is like including culture, rituals, religion, ceremonies, and the way of life. Are you helping to build the mounds? Your parents? What takes place at the mounds once they are built? Talk about the significance of the ceremonial mound and burial mound.
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I expect you to illustrate an understanding of the Copena tribe and their way of life.
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To view the rubric for this assignment, follow this link:
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http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php?screen=ShowRubric&rubric_id=2656614
Utilize these resources, and some of your own, to dig deeper into the life of the Copena indians.
Extra Research Resources
Lesson Plan
Grade Level: 5th grade
Subject: Native American History: Oakville Indian Mounds
Duration: 30 minutes
Materials: A device that can connect to the internet: a computer, laptop, or iPad
Standards: NETS Standards:
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Knowledge Constructor - Students will be using a variety of resources and digital tools to create an artifact that will further both their knowledge and the knowledge of others.
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Creative Communicator - Students will be using digital media technology to communicate clearly and express themselves.
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Empowered Learner - Students will be using technology to inform and improve their way of demonstrating their knowledge.
Objectives:
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The student will be able to correctly identify and describe the Copena Indians’ ceremonial mound with 90% accuracy.
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The student will be able to correctly identify and describe the Copena Indians’ burial mound with 90% accuracy.
Introduction: When we think of Native Americans, we think of the colorful clothing, dreamcatchers, decorations, unique names, and the surface level goods. But, it is important to look at the structures that give them the opportunities to make and use the goods. The traditions, ceremonies, rituals, and ways of life are all unique with each tribe. Lets dive deeper into a specific tribe, the Copena indians. Right here in Alabama, there is a park that preserves the Copenas’ property. They built structures and used them for the demands of their lifestyle. We’re going to take a virtual field trip to explore these structures: how they were made, their dimensions, and what they were used for.
Activities: For this lesson, students will be taking a virtual field trip to Oakville, Alabama to tour the remains of the Copena Indian mounds. To access this virtual field trip, simply follow this link to the website: (insert link). I expect each student to complete the virtual field trip with a focus on learning about the Copena tribe, how they built the mounds, and what took place on the mounds.
Main Activities Assessment: After completing the virtual field trip, students must take the information that they have learned about the Copena indians and create a digital story. A digital story is just a narrative told using digital media technology. This digital story needs to include what the students imagine life would be like if they were a child living in the Oakville area as a Copena indian. Students should pretend that they were there when the mound were being built. I want the students to tell a story that includes what a normal day would be like if they were in this situation. Do they help build the mound? Their parents? What takes place on the mounds? What are their significance? I expect students to illustrate understanding of the Copena tribe and their way of life.
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use a digital storytelling website of your choice (iMovie, Storybird, Comic Master, etc.)
Rubric: http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php?screen=ShowRubric&rubric_id=2656614
Research Resources:
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http://www.oakvilleindianmounds.com/Ancient-Indian-Mounds.html
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http://quatr.us/northamerica/before1500/history/woodland.htm​
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