Friday, September 23, 2011

Crow Place Names



Many Montana places, like the "Yellowstone River," had a name in the Crow (Apsaalooke) Language long before fur trappers or settlers from the east arrived to give it a French or English name.

Do you know (or can you guess) these familiar Montana places from their Crow name?

1.   Iichi'ilikaashaashe  / Elk River

2.   Bisho'ochaashe / Mussel River

3.   Aashisee / Big River

4.   Bilii'liikasshe / Swift Current  (creek)

5.   Chi'ilpawaxaawe / Bull Mountain

6.   Daxpitcheeihte' / Bear's Teeth (mountains)

7.   Iishi'iaassaao / Mountain lion's home

8.   Ammalapa'shkuua / Where they cut wood (city)

9.   Ashhi'shalahaawiio / Where the red lodge was destroyed (town)

10. Ammaa'hpawaalaatuua / Where there is writing on the cliffs (town) 




Learn some words in the Crow and Cheyenne Languages at:
http://www.ywhc.org/index.php?p=46


ANSWERS to Crow Place Names:
1.  Yellowstone River
2.  Musselshell River
3.  Missouri River
4.  Rock Creek
5.  Bull Mountains
6.  Beartooth Mountains
7.  Pompey's Pillar
8.  Billings
9.  Red Lodge
10. Joliet

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Celebrate the U.S. Constitution!

September 17th is the 224th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.
Painting from the Library of Congress.



Do you know the first three words of our Constitution?

Can you recite the entire Preamble?







A good way to remember the Preamble is to sing it!
Sing along with School House Rock at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQdDjBAJt7c

Watch Barney Fife recite the Preamble at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx5d3haRG7M&list=PL0BA9373E6DB9E59B&index=2

How much do YOU know about the U.S. Constitution?  Find out how you compare with others in your age group and state.
Take the CONSTITUTION QUIZ


Thursday, September 1, 2011

Montana Field Guide


Photo courtesy U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Photo courtesy U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Image from Wikipedia.

 

These are the three kinds of birds in the story "Nanabush and the Ducks."  This is a story from the Anishinabe Tribe, retold by Joseph Bruchac in Native American Games and Stories.

We can use the Montana Field Guide to learn about these birds.
    Coot
   Great blue heron
   Mallard

Click on a link to a page in the Montana Field Guide.
Look at the photos of the bird.
Listen to the audio sample.
Look at the map.
Answer these questions:
    1.  Does this bird live in the Billings area?  Summer only or year-around?
    2.  Describe this bird.  What does it look like?  What makes it look different from other birds?