We have studied the Seminole Tribe multiple times during our homeschooling journey, and after our recent trip to Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum in South Florida, I decided it was time to put together the many resources we’ve used over the years into a free Seminole Native American unit study to share. This unit is designed to take about a week and includes free downloadable reading passages and comprehension questions, book recommendations, hands-on activity ideas, and videos. Most of the resources are geared toward upper elementary and middle school students, but of course you can modify as necessary for your family. We have previewed all the videos included, but please view them first to determine their appropriateness for your students. Links to all the books are also included, but you may be able to find some of them at your local library. We hope you enjoy learning about the Seminole Tribe as much as we have!
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DAY ONE - INTRODUCTION TO THE SEMINOLE TRIBE
You can use the reading passage and timeline on the first two pages of the free Seminole Native American unit study and/or a selection from the following suggested books, videos, and websites to give an overview of the history of the Seminole Tribe. A good activity to include along with the readings would be using a map to identify where the Seminoles lived historically and where Seminole reservations are located today. Finish the lesson by selecting a Seminole leader to research and present on at the end of the week. Suggestions include:
Osceola – A fearless Seminole war leader who resisted U.S. efforts to forcibly remove his people during the Second Seminole War.
Micanopy – The principal chief of the Seminole during the Second Seminole War, known for his leadership and diplomatic efforts.
Billy Bowlegs (Holata Micco) – A prominent Seminole chief who led resistance during the later stages of the Seminole Wars and eventually relocated to Indian Territory.
Aripeka (Sam Jones) – A respected spiritual leader and medicine man who helped guide Seminole resistance through traditional wisdom and diplomacy.
Thlocklo Tustenuggee (Tom Tiger) – A brave war leader who fought fiercely in the Second Seminole War and became a symbol of Seminole resistance.
Neamathla – An early Seminole leader known for opposing American encroachment in the early 1800s.
- Betty Mae Tiger Jumper – A pioneering nurse, journalist, storyteller, and the first—and so far only—female chairperson of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, who significantly advanced tribal healthcare, media, and governance during her groundbreaking tenure.
Books:
- The Seminoles by Virginia Driving Haw Sheve
- Seminole by Gale George
- Native American Heroes: Osceola, Tecumseh, and Cochise by Ann McGovern
- Legends of the Seminole by Betty M. Jumper
- She Sang Promise: The Story of Betty Mae Jumper, Seminole Tribal Leader by J.G. Annino
Helpful Links:
Florida Department of State: Seminole History
Videos:
DAY TWO: SEMINOLE CULTURE
Learn about the culture and traditions of the Seminole Tribe by using the reading passage and worksheet on pages 3 and 4 of the Seminole Native American unit study, along with any of the previously recommended books or links. Also, continue researching the chosen Seminole leader. A great hands-on activity to go along with today’s topic is building a model chickee using any materials you may have around the house such as cardboard, wood, sticks, or palm fronds. The girls did this a few years ago and really enjoyed it!
Helpful Links:
DAY THREE: SEMINOLE CLOTHING AND JEWELRY
The Seminole are well known for their beautiful patchwork clothing and beaded jewelry. Today, use the reading passage from page 5 in the Seminole Native American unit study, as well as additional books, links, and photographs, to learn about traditional Seminole apparel. Making a beaded necklace or bracelet is a fun activity to go along with this topic. We like this bead kit because it comes with a variety of different colored beads as well as the other materials you need to make jewelry. Consider making jewelry using the traditional Seminole colors of red, black, white, and yellow!
DAY FOUR: SEMINOLE FOOD
Today, learn about the traditional foods of the Seminole and even try an authentic recipe! You can use the reading passage and worksheet on pages 6 and 7 in the Seminole Native American unit study, as well as the additional suggested books and links. Don’t forget to have your students continue researching and preparing a presentation on a Seminole leader.
Fun tidbit: We attended a living history festival at Fort Christmas Historical Park a few years ago, where a member of the Seminole Tribe shared how they grew pumpkins. We learned that Seminole pumpkins are a distinct cultivar of the same species of squash as butternut squash, and unlike other varieties of pumpkins, they grow really well in Florida! We’ve grown Seminole pumpkins for several years. They taste much like butternut squash and can be used interchangeably in recipes. If you are able, consider growing some!
Books:
Frybread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard
Helpful Links:
Seminole Recipe: How to Make Pumpkin Frybread
Seminole Tribe of Florida: Recipes – Indian Fried Bread and Sofkee
Videos:
DAY FIVE: PRESENTATIONS AND/OR FIELD TRIP
Finish up your study of the Seminole Tribe by having students present what they learned about a Seminole leader. If you are able, today would also be a great day for a field trip! We love field trips because they provide real-world learning and hands-on experiences. Below are a few options, including their locations.
Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum – Clewiston, FL
In our opinion, this is one of the best places to learn about the Seminole Tribe. Located on the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum shares the history and culture of the Seminoles through several indoor and outdoor exhibits and a beautiful boardwalk through the Everglades. Read more about our recent visit here.
Fort Christmas Historical Park – Christmas, FL
This living-history museum is centered around a full scale replica of a U.S. Army Fort built during the Second Seminole War. There are a variety of historic buildings to tour in addition to the fort replica, plus a museum that includes Seminole artifacts. There is also a really nice playground on site, lots of picnic tables, and plenty of room for kids to run around.
Dade Battlefield Historic State Park – Bushnell, FL
This state park preserves the site of Dade’s Battle of 1835. It has a small museum with exhibits, artifacts, and an educational video related to the Seminole Wars, as well as picnic tables and trails for hiking. Every January, the park hosts Dade’s Battle Reenactment Weekend, where historians and reenactors bring the battle to life.
We hope you enjoyed this free Seminole Native American unit study! Please leave us a comment or click below to share with others!
Sarah
I am the main writer and website designer for Florida Unveiled. I love the parts of Florida visitors don’t often see: the tea-colored water that flows in cypress-laden rivers; the chorus of frogs after a hard rain; the rustle of palmetto as an unseen creature scampers by. Some of my favorite places in Florida are the Everglades, the Keys, Smyrna Dunes Park, Bok Tower Gardens, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, and St. Augustine’s Historic District.
