Courtesy of University of Colorado Denver

Overview

The ancient Hohokams were very skilled farmers in an environment that was very harsh for growing crops. Today, Arizona farmers also experience problems and successes similar to the ancient Hohokam.

In this web quest we will explore the role the ancient Hohokam people had in farming the deserts of Arizona and the similarities of farming in Arizona today.

Courtesy City of Phoenix

Arizona State Social Studies Standards

Students will need access to political and physical maps of Arizona, computer with a Power Point program, and other necessary materials.

Introduction

Imagine that you are an ancient Hohokam Indian preparing to farm in the desert. What crops will grow? Where are you going to get the seed to plant? Are some of them native plants that grow wild in the desert? Were all of the crops used for personal gain or were they traded for other necessities? Where are you going to get the water? These are only a few questions that the ancient Hohokam, as well as farmers today, had to answer.

Courtesy of Arizona State University

Tasks and Questions

Task

Task 1. Research and present information about the crops that the ancient Hohokam farmers and farmers today grew. This information will be placed in a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the information.

Task 2. Locate and map the locations of the Central Arizona Project and the ancient Hohokam Canals.

Task 3. Determine and present the way the ancient Hohokam farmers and today’s farmers use/used their crops.

Task 4. Present final project to class.

Questions:

· What are the similarities and differences between crops grown in the past and crops grown today?

· Where are the locations of the ancient Hohokam canals and the Central Arizona Project canal?

· What did/do ancient Hohokam farmers and farmers today do with their harvested crops?

Job Assignements

Member 1 : Crop Type Investigator- investigate the different types of crops planted by the Hohokam and farmers today

Member 2: Ancient Hohokam Canal Map Maker- locate and map the location of the ancient Hohokam canals

Member 3: Central Arizona Project Canal Map Maker- locate and map the location of the Central Arizona Project canal

Member 4: Crop Use Investigator- investigate what the crops were used for by the ancient Hohokams and farmers today

Process

In this project you will be required to work cooperatively with your group. Each job is important in finding and sharing important information. Each person is like a link in a chain and if one link breaks the chain fails to do its job.

Directions:

Step 1: Decide upon the role that each person will play. No role is more important than the other.

Step 2: A group decision will need to be made about how you will present this information to the class.

Step 3: Investigate and Create!!!!!! As a group you will need to begin according to your task. Use the following resources to aide in you in completing this web quest.

Step 4: Present the final project

Courtesy of desertusa.com

Presentation Options:

· Oral Presentation with maps and visuals

· Power Point Presentation

· Suggestion Approved by Teacher (ex. Role play, 3-D map)

Resources

· http://www.cap-az.com/operations/index.cfm?action=map&subSection=14

· http://www.nass.usda.gov/az/crops/2005/ac050225.pdf

· http://www.desertusa.com/ind1/ind_new/ind9.html

· http://www.desertusa.com/ind1/ind_new/ind8.html

· http://www.waterhistory.org/histories/hohokam2/

· http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com/explore/states/arizona.html

· http://carbon.cudenver.edu/stc-link/hohokam/Hohokam.htm

Evaluation/Grading Criteria

Students will be graded on their ability to work with their group, presentation skills, and understanding of content.

Rubric

Conclusion

Now that you have had a chance to explore this topic here are a few more questions for further discussion….

1. What questions do you wish that you could have had answered that weren’t?

2. What do you think happened to the ancient Hohokams and their way of life?