The Cayuse Indians also had a landmark rock that came from an Indian Legend. It is located at Wallula Junction and is known as the Ki-Use Girls . Have examples of each rock type for students to handle and examine. Discuss the differences of these three rock types and identify the rocks which the pioneers saw or used. Various uses of different rocks could be discussed and researched.
Groups can review and research types of rocks and write mini-reports.
Have the kids simulate Independence Rock by writing their names on a piece of butcher paper and including their own personal messages. Include a conservation message about why we don't carve our names on rocks and trees today. Talk about hardness levels of different rocks. Have students bring in their own rock samples and match these with class samples. Retell the Indian story of the Ki-Use Girls and have the students develop and write their own version of this legend.