Historical Models of Democracy: The Iroquois Confederation

Ms. Barrett and her gr. 6's were beginning a new Social Studies unit called "Historical Models of Democracy".  In order to get the students excited about the new unit, and to access their prior knowledge, Ms. Barrett engaged them in beginning to analyze the structure and functions of the Iroquois Confederacy.  They visited the five nations, they spent time in the Long house, they met their Clan Mothers, they went to war, and the Peace Maker paddled in in her birch bark canoe and encouraged the nations to stop fighting and committ to peace.  Have a look.