magnifier
Teach PA History
magbottom
 
Kill the Indian, Save the Man!
Extensions

1. In this lesson the Stations have already been organized by types/topic of primary sources: Station One: Community Perspective Station Two: Letters from Students Station Three: Articles that shed light on Pratt's perspective Station Four: Attendees (as group) Station Five: Classroom learning Station Six: Photographs of individual attendees/acculturation For an additional cognitive step, students could investigate each source separately and organize them into appropriate "stations". 2. Carlisle Indian Industrial School was one of the first of several boarding schools for Native Americans which were developed in the United States. Students could investigate another boarding school and compare/contrast it to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. For materials, see the Library of Congress Lesson Resource page [http://memory.loc.gov/learn/lessons/01/indian/journal2.html]. 3. To extend the cultural study of tribes enrolled in the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, student could research additional aspects of their tribes" culture (housing, spirituality, social dynamics, recreational activities, etc.). In the end, this information could be formatted into a cultural resource book. 4. Students could extend their exploration of the multiple perspectives of the creation of this school. The class could write and enact a play that would include: Carlisle townspeople Captain Richard Pratt Chief of tribe Pratt consults with for recruitment Students Parents/Siblings of student Teachers Commissioner of Indian Affairs

Field Trips

Cumberland County Historical Society 21 North Pitt Street Carlisle, PA 17013 717-249-7610
A perfect combination with this lesson, the Cumberland County Historical Society offers as part of its educational program, a Carlisle Indian Industrial School Trunk. This trunk is filled with comparative material artifacts of Native American and middle-class Caucasians: clothing, school supplies, games, tools, and religious icons. According to the program description, "students will scrutinize the intense nature of organized assimilation and adaptation and learn how the Indian school was reflective of national educational policies at the turn of the century". In addition, the Historical Society offers coordination of day-long programs, one which explores the Carlisle Industrial School through images and includes individual name tags of actual CIIS students with biographical information on it. A slide show and hands-on presentation of Carlisle Indian School Pictographs is also available.

Carlisle Indian School Grounds U.S. Army War College Carlisle, PA 17013
Although the school closed in 1918, many of its buildings still exist. To explore the grounds of this controversial school contact blandis@epix.net for tour information.

Back to Top