Hohokam Civilization

Farming & Irrigation

Developed by: Ms. Dunker

	Picture of Hohokam irrigation canal in Central Arizona circa 800 AD (Baker, et al. 1973)

Overview

The student will develop an understanding of the Hohokam canal and farming systems and how they were an integral part of the civilization. They will be able to explain how the canal system was used by the Hohokam as well as compare and contrast the canal system that was created by their civilization versus the one in use today.

Introduction

The Hohokam civilization was believed to have settled in central Arizona around 300 B.C. They developed an intricate canal system that some believe was advanced for its time. This system was used to carry water to their community for farming and other purposes. Around 1500 A.D., the Hohokam began to disappear. Nothing is known about how or why they disappeared, but there is much speculation. Some archaeologists believe that they may have left the area due to the water supply running low through the years and not enough water for their crops.

Task

You will be placed into groups of four to become experts on the Hohokam Indian Tribe. Within your group, you will each be responsible for a specific topic to research. Upon completion, you will report your findings back to your group in order to create a final project based on everyone’s knowledge.

Your Mission: You have been hired to become an expert on the Hohokam irrigation and farming systems.

Questions

How was the irrigation system used by the Hohokam the same and different as the system used today?

What kinds of crops were planted by the Hohokam?

What types of farming tools were created?

Courtesy of: www.cudenver.edu

Student Roles/Titles

Person 1 : Expert on desert landscape

Person 2: Expert on daily life and disappearance

Person 3: Expert on farming and irrigation

Person 4:  Expert on building and construction

Process

Begin by exploring the internet websites that are listed in the Resources section. These sites will help to guide you in your research on the canal and farming systems.

You will be required to keep a journal of your findings and collect pictures while you research. Organize your findings using the following categories: canal/irrigation system, agriculture, and farming tools. Classify your pictures according to each category. Make sure that each picture is labeled. Your pictures may be hand-drawn or printed and should be no smaller than 2 in. x 3 in.

A drawing of the canal system that was created by the Hohokam. This drawing should meet the following specifications:

Minimum of 11x17 in size

Hand-drawn

Labeled appropriately

Color

Your final task will be a one page typed essay summarizing your findings. Use the following questions to help guide your writing:

What made the canal system advanced for its time?

What have future civilizations learned from the Hohokam?

Presentation Requirements:

Journal

Pictures

drawing of the canal system

essay

Resources

The Ancient Hohokam Canal System in the Valley of the Sun

Hohokam Legacy: Desert Canals

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Hohokam Irrigation

CD-Rom “Grewe Revealed”

Evaluation/Grading Criteria

As a group, you will now come together to create and name a newspaper article about the Hohokam Indian Tribe. You will also design a model of Casa Grande (the Big House), including the Casa Grande irrigation systems and surrounding desert.

Overall	4	3	2	1
Plan for Organizing Information	Students have developed a clear plan for organizing the information as it is gathered and in the final research product. All students can independently explain the planned organization of the research findings.	Students have developed a clear plan for organizing the information in the final research product. All students can independently explain this plan.	Students have developed a clear plan for organizing the information as it is gathered. All students can independently explain most of this plan.	Students have no clear plan for organizing the information AND/OR students in the group cannot explain their organizational plan.

Newspaper	4	3	2	1
Layout - Headlines & Captions	All articles have headlines that capture the reader's attention and accurately describe the content. All articles have a byline. All graphics have captions that adequately describe the people and action in the graphic.	All articles have headlines that accurately describe the content. All articles have a byline. All graphics have captions.	Most articles have headlines that accurately describe the content. All articles have a byline. Most graphics have captions.	Articles are missing bylines OR many articles do not have adequate headlines OR many graphics do not have captions.
Contributions of Group Members	Each person in the group has contributed at least two articles and one graphic without prompting from teachers or peers.	Each person in the group has contributed at least one article and one graphic with a few reminders from peers.	Each person in the group has contributed at least one article with some minimal assistance from peers.	One or more students in the group required quite a lot of assistance from peers before contributing one article.
Spelling and Proofreading	No spelling or grammar errors remain after one or more people (in addition to the typist) read and correct the newspaper.	No more than a couple of spelling or grammar errors remain after one or more people (in addition to the typist) read and correct the newspaper.	No more than 3 spelling or grammar errors remain after one or more people (in addition to the typist) read and correct the newspaper.	Several spelling or grammar errors remain in the final copy of the newspaper.

Model	4	3	2	1
Construction -Materials	Appropriate materials were selected and creatively modified in ways that made them even better.	Appropriate materials were selected and there was an attempt at creative modification to make them even better.	Appropriate materials were selected.	Inappropriate materials were selected and contributed to a product that performed poorly.
Construction - Care Taken	Great care taken in construction process so that the structure is neat, attractive and follows plans accurately.	Construction was careful and accurate for the most part, but 1-2 details could have been refined for a more attractive product.	Construction accurately followed the plans, but 3-4 details could have been refined for a more attractive product.	Construction appears careless or haphazard. Many details need refinement for a strong or attractive

Poster Board	4	3	2	1
Content - Accuracy	Accurate facts are displayed on the poster.	Some facts are displayed on the poster.	A few facts are displayed on the poster.	No facts are displayed on the poster.

Essay	4	3	2	1
Quality of Information	Information clearly relates to the main topic. It includes several supporting details and/or examples.	Information clearly relates to the main topic. It provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples.	Information clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given.	Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic.
Internet Use	Successfully uses suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.	Usually able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.	Occasionally able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.	Needs assistance or supervision to use suggested internet links and/or to navigate within these sites.

Conclusion

Now that you have become an expert, think about the following:

How long do you think it took the Hohokam to construct the canal system? How many people would it take?

What types of tools have evolved from the tools made by the Hohokam?

What role do you think the water supply played on the disappearance of the Hohokam civilization?