As part of a study of the history of the Chumash on California's Channel Island chain, class members view the documentary Once Upon a Time, respond to discussion questions, and create a timeline for the different waves of migration. After watching the documentary, pupils investigate how scientists use artifacts to establish a history of the Chumash on the Channel Islands, research one of the native plants utilized by the Chumash, and draft an informative paragraph of facts about the plant and how it was used. Scholars also investigate tools used by the Chumash, foods they gathered, and group behaviors that allowed the Chumash to survive and thrive. Finally, pairs demonstrate what they have learned from the readings and the video by creating a Thinklink that includes information about the Chumash, their culture, their environment, and their resources.
