Today’s Walking Classroom discusses Sequoyah, a Cherokee Indian, who was an incredibly smart man who realized the importance of having a written communication system. He worked for years to develop a written alphabet of 86 sounds. After realizing the value of what Sequoyah did, most of the Cherokee soon learned the alphabet and their ability to read and write quickly surpassed the white settlers.
Character Value: Perseverance
Click for Standards Alignment
Common Core
L–Language | SL–Speaking and Listening | RI–Reading: Informational | RL–Reading: Literature | W–Writing | RH–6-8 Literacy in History/Social Studies | RST–6-8 Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects Elementary School:RI.3.1, RI.3.2, SL.3.1, SL.3.4
RI.4.1, RI.4.2, SL.4.1, SL.4.4
RI.5.1, RI.5.2, SL.5.1, SL.5.4
Middle School:
RI.6.1, RI.6.2, SL.6.1, SL.6.4
RI.7.1, RI.7.2, RI.7.3, SL.7.1, SL.7.4
RI.8.1, RI.8.2, RI.8.3, SL.8.1, SL.8.4
RH.6-8.4
Supplemental Resource Links and Downloads
Quiz: (Make sure you're already logged into your Gmail account, then click to copy this Google form to your Google Drive. Quiz keys are here.)
Sequoyah Google Quiz
Slide Deck:
Sequoyah Slide Deck
Discusses Sequoyah’s invention of the Cherokee written language and its impact on humanity.
Presents brief overview of Morse code.
Test knowledge of the life of Sequoyah with this quiz from PurposeGames.
Read “Ode to Sequoyah” by Alexander Posey and discuss your interpretation in small groups in this Poets.org activity.
Read a short passage about Sequoyah and answer comprehension questions with this ReadWorks.org printable.
Create talking leaves with this hands-on activity.
See More Podcasts in Subject Area: Social Studies
See More Themed Groupings that Contain this Podcast: Biographies, Historical Figures, Native Cultures, Westward Ho