Bead Trading
Practice: Get ready for some activities.
Activities are designed to be parent- or teacher-supervised.
Step 1
Supplies: A bag of 10 assorted beads for each student, A leather cord for each student, A bag of super desirable beads one for each student for the teacher to give out.
Step 2
The goal of this activity is to give the experience of trading with the Native Americans. Lewis and Clark traded and gave gifts to form relationships with the Native Americans. The Native Americans were familiar with trading because they traded with other tribes and fur traders. Each tribe also got a peace medal with Thomas Jefferson’s face to communicate that the USA now owned the land of the Louisiana Purchase and not France and that the USA wanted to be peaceful.
Step 3
Give each student their cord and a bag of beads. Ask them to choose their favorite beads and decide on a pattern and/or color scheme they want for their bracelet or backpack tag. Then give rules to trading: 1.) You must make a trade good for both traders. Friends first; bracelet second. 2.) You must be polite. The goal is to work together to get everyone what they need. 3.) Be gracious if you don’t get the bead you need and find a different trader. 4.) Everyone gets a special bead from the teacher (like the Jefferson peace medals)
Step 4
When the students have the beads that they want, finish the project by making a bracelet or backpack tag.
