Cut-out Collages on the Choctaw Native People

International School of Louisiana - Uptown
3rd Grade, Visual Art & Social Studies
Ms. Nobile / Mr. Damien, Ms. Carbajo, Ms. Caitlin, Ms. Guzman

In Social Studies Unit 2, 3rd graders learn about the first inhabitants of our region. For our project, we focused on the Choctaw Native people, who were among the first groups of people who lived in the New Orleans area. We then created cut-out collages based on what we learned.

Students learned that before this land was called New Orleans, the Choctaw people called it “Bulbancha,” which means “place of many tongues.” Even before European settlers arrived, Native people from all over the region would come here to trade via the river, bayous, and lakes. We also learned that many of the foods we still eat today, such as gumbo and corn bread, can trace their roots back to Native dishes.

Students demonstrate their learning by creating cut-out collages. For the collages, we learned various techniques to create texture, such as layering and fringe. Finally, students compiled all their work in self-made accordion books for all to see!

Image descriptions:

Photo 1: Student at work on her collage
Photo 2: Student displaying his work (a house and a person rowing a canoe)
Photo 3: Nourriture & Outils (food & tools: corn & bow and arrow)
Photo 4: Arts & Enfants (arts and children: traditional woven baskets and toli, a popular game like lacrosse)
Photo 5: A person using a bow and arrow to hunt
Photo 6: Transport (transportation: a person and a dog carrying belongings)
Photo 7: A pot of gumbo cooking on a fire