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Native American Myths: The Ute Bear Dance

In this lesson, students will utilize the teacher’s CAP Resource Kit (the 3-ring binder with the CD/audiocassette, etc.), the school library, the internet and other resources to research the Ute Bear Dance, a traditional ceremony repeated annually by both Southern and Northern Ute Indians in Colorado and Utah. Students will hear the music of the Ute Bear Dance (on the CD/audiocassette supplied with the teacher’s Resource Kit) and will learn, through their research, what the dance signifies, how the dance is performed, how the music is made and why it sounds the way it does. Students will read several accounts that explain the origin of the Ute Bear Dance and will gain an appreciation of the variety of conflicting details within multiple versions of a given myth— occasioned by the nature of oral tradition, through which myths and legends are preserved and perpetuated.

Students may further explore how Native American stories and myths help explain the parts of human history for which there is no written record. Stories that have been passed down from generation to generation provide answers (or at least suggestions of answers) to mysteries such as: the creation of the world; origins of animals and humans; how tribal nations were born; reasons for ceremonies and rituals; and the spiritual connections between humans, animals and the earth.

GRADE LEVEL: Grades 3–7

TIME ALLOTMENT: 6–8 periods

SUBJECT MATTER: Social Studies, Native American Myths, Native American Music

NYS LEARNING STANDARDS

Social Studies: I - 1, 2
English: I - 1, 2; II - 1
Arts II, III, IV
See Complete NYS Learning Standards

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Students will:

• Be able to respond to recorded examples of unfamiliar music and unfamiliar language and make critical observations, taking clues solely from the sound content on the recording
• Be able to discuss the functions of myths and legends as repositories of pre-written history
• Understand how ceremonies of songs and dances serve to preserve and sustain cultural and spiritual customs and beliefs in Native American societies
• Appreciate the importance of oral tradition as a means of transmitting history and culture in non-literate societies
• Have a practical understanding of research techniques, utilizing primary sources of hard texts, electronic texts, photographs, sound recordings, and a range of internet resources