I Am Sacagawea: Ordinary People Change the World
Ordinary People Change the World Series
What’s inside...
Sacagawea, a young Native American woman, played a crucial role in the Lewis and Clark expedition, helping them navigate the uncharted territory of the American West. This is her story, told in her own words, of courage, perseverance, and the power of never giving up.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Sacagawea was chosen to join Lewis and Clark on their expedition?
What qualities did Sacagawea have that made her a good leader and guide?
How did Sacagawea contribute to the team's success during their journey?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone achieve a goal? How did that make you feel?
What can we learn from Sacagawea's story that we can apply to our own challenges?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing a personal story about a time you faced a challenge and how you overcame it, relating it to Sacagawea’s journey.
Encourage your child to think critically about the decisions Sacagawea made and ask them what they would have done in her place.
Highlight Sacagawea's attributes such as bravery, intelligence, and leadership. Discuss how these qualities can be important in their daily lives.
Ask your child to draw parallels between Sacagawea’s adventure and any of their adventures, even if it's just a challenging day at school.
Reinforce the idea that everyone, regardless of age or size, has the potential to impact the world positively, just like Sacagawea.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Sacagawea's journey with the Lewis and Clark expedition showcases her resilience in overcoming obstacles and harsh conditions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by remaining persistent and courageous in the face of challenges at school or in their personal lives.
Example Lesson: Importance of Diversity
Explanation: The story illustrates how Sacagawea's knowledge and skills were crucial to the success of the expedition, highlighting the value of diverse perspectives and abilities.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to value and respect people from different backgrounds and cultures, enhancing cooperation and understanding in diverse settings.
Example Lesson: Courage to Make a Difference
Explanation: Sacagawea's active participation in the expedition at a young age demonstrates that everyone, regardless of age, can contribute significantly to important endeavors.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to take initiative and participate actively in their communities, whether in small group projects or larger social causes.
Example Lesson: Learning from Nature
Explanation: Throughout her journey, Sacagawea's ability to utilize natural resources efficiently is a testament to the importance of understanding and learning from our environment.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to engage with and learn from nature, fostering a sense of responsibility towards environmental conservation.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The collaboration between Sacagawea and the explorers shows how teamwork leads to success even in the most daunting tasks.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in group activities at school, teaching children the significance of collaborating and valuing each team member's contribution.