How and When Did People Originally Come to the Americas?
From: James W. Loewen's Book Teaching What Really Happened,
Chapter 6
Grade Level: (HS), (College)
Remote Ready: With Modifications
Time: 1-2 Class Periods
Length of Reading: Pages
Link: None
There were no humans in the Americas up until about 16,000ish years ago (although estimates vary widely). When and how humans migrated to North America, depends upon who you ask. In his book, Loewen recommends the following. Put students in groups of 2-3. Have each group conduct internet research on a particular field of study and how experts in that field explain the migration of people to North America. Then have students put their findings into their own words and present. Those fields of study interested in the migration, according to Loewen, are:
History (including oral history and ethnohistory)
Cultural Anthropology (the study of human societies and cultures)
Physical Anthropology (the study of physiological and biological characteristics and how they developed)
Archaeology (the study of prehistory and history via the excavation and study of artifacts and remains)
Glottochronology (the study of languages and how they change)
Epidemiology (medical discipline studying diseases)
Human Genetics (chromosomes, traits, and that jazz)
Botany (the study of plants. How did cotton and Sweet potatoes come to the Americas?)
More Information:
Grade Level:
(HS), (College): There is no specified age group for this activity; however, we think it would be well suited for high school and college students
This Activity Involves:
Research: This activity requires that students do research.
Group Work: This activity calls for working in pairs or groups or having a group discussion.
Image: AlexCaelus, Early human migration, footsteps across continents, the great journey of our ancestors, File # 746284108, AI Generated, 5/23/25, Adobe Stock - stock.adobe.com.
