On December 10th, North Mianus Fifth Graders will be taking a field trip to Institute of American Indian Studies Museum in Washington, CT.  We will depart NMS by school bus at approximately 8:30 and return by the end of the school day. This trip ties into our Social Studies unit about “People and Early European Settlers.” Students will learn about how the attitudes, beliefs, and actions of various groups influenced the conflicts and compromises between the indigenous people and the Early European settlers. At the museum, students will learn about the fight for resources through activities and guided discussions from the perspectives of both Native Americans and Colonists. We will explore how tribal economy and identity was impacted by westward expansion, discover how the lives of Connecticut Natives changed with the environment, and learn how climate shaped many Native cultures across the United States.