Chumash Exhibit
The Chumash people lived on the Channel Islands off the coast of California. They were inhabitants of these islands before the Spanish missions were built in California. The Chumash are an important piece of California history.
Task
You and your group have been commissioned by a local natural history museum to develop an exhibit about the culture of the Chumash people. Your group is to contain three members: a curator, an anthropologist and an historian. Each person in the group will be responsible for gathering specific types of information. For your exhibit plan to be successful, each member must do their job well and completely.
Responsibilities
Curator:
Your job is to research the culture of the Chumash people. Your job will include reading Chumash myths and legends to learn about the lifestyle and beliefs of these people. You will research the answers to such questions as "How did the Chumash people find their food?", "How did the Chumash people dress?", "What parts of their environment did they use for food, tools and shelter?" and "How did the Chumash interact with other people in their environment?"
Anthropologist:
Your job is to research the clues to Chumash culture that have been left behind on the Channel Islands. Your job will also include the natural history of the Channel Islands because this influenced the clues to their lives which the Chumash left behind them.
Historian:
Your job is to research the history of the Chumash people. You will also investigate the Gabrielino people who lived on neighboring Channel Islands. Your job will include researching the Spanish influence on the Chumash people as well as theories about what happened to the Chumash.
Resources
Curator:
Anthropologist:
Chumash artifacts - clothing, utensils, instruments and hunting tools
Historian:
History of the Santa Barbara Mission
History of the "Lone Woman of San Nicholas Island"
Native Americans in the region
If there is a question that you are unable to answer from your own research, try this "Ask a Curator" link.
Procedure
After you have completed your research, your job is to design a museum exhibit that will teach other students about the history of the Chumash people of the Channel Islands. Your exhibit must include accurate maps, examples of artifacts, and examples of how Chumash legends reflect their culture and beliefs. Your exhibit may include any other interesting information you uncover in your research. Your exhibit must include a freestanding display as well as a written report. The research of the curator, the anthropologist and the historian must be equally represented in the design.
Evaluation
Your work will be evaluated as "minimum", "good" or "excellent".
Go to the rubric to see the requirements for these grades.
This site was designed by Patricia H. Rynearson