Since the next leg of our trip is all about Native Americans our first stop was to explore the Navajo Interactive Museum. Since there was not a lot of information online I was not sure what to expect when we arrived. While planning our visit I found the workbook by Evan-Moor History Pockets Native Americans, it contains nine different tribes within the book including the Navajo of the Southwest. The activities within this book are very short but cover a lot of topics that lay a great foundation to build on for future lessons. When we arrived we were asked if Jaxon wanted to be a detective during his visit and of course that sparked his interest immediately. We were then escorted to a theater where we watched a short video on the Navajo Indians and their beliefs on how they entered through four worlds before settling here. It was a great introduction for Jaxon to understand their spiritual beliefs.
As we entered the museum we were overwhelmed with the well placed displays all set up in one large circle. We were in such awe at the exhibits we were not sure where to begin. As we did not want to miss one single thing it was wonderful to have the worksheet to guide us. We began our journey in the center of the museum where there was a Hogan set up that you could enter. This gave Jaxon a great opportunity to see what life might have been like to live in one as a family.
Inside the Hogan was another short film showing how the Navajo Indians wove their beautiful rugs from start to finish. This was an amazing new concept to Jaxon and I wanted to make sure he could appreciate how much hard work went into making these gorgeous rugs so following our visit we read the book The Goat in the Rug by Geraldine. This book begins with a two page spread showing all of the tools that are needed to craft a rug and then tells the story of a Navajo Weaver named Glee 'Nasbah. I highly recommend this book as it is a wonderful addition to the study of the Navajo rug making.
Upon our exit of the Hogan we found a small table where we made ourselves comfortable to begin answering the questions on the museum of mystery adventure.
Located through out the exhibit there are signs perfectly placed as pictured below giving you clues to the answers to complete your mysteries of the museum.
Upon leaving the museum Jaxon turned in his page and got a prize for completing the entire expedition.
Once we arrived at the hotel that evening we followed up by reading A True Book The Navajo by Andrew Santella and by completing the workbook projects for The Navajo of the Southwest located in the Native American history pockets.