The world view of pre-Columbian peoples was very different from that of contemporary Americans. One possible approach to understanding may be to consider how Native Americans explained the world. Ask students to make a selection from Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz, editors, American Indian Myths and Legends (1984), or from the videos of Indian legends listed below in Print and Nonprint Resources that may be made available to students. Ask for a brief written summary: Restate the story in straightforward prose. How does it reveal attitudes toward nature or toward human relations or toward social obligations? That is, what is its meaning? Choose a few summaries for class discussion. Another possibility is to ask students to identify themes that are found in some of the major religions currently practiced in the United States.

Ask students to choose one tribal group of Native Americans and write a paragraph in explanation of what is known about the tribe's origins. Consult the University of Oklahoma's Civilization of the American Indian series.