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Create your own Parfleche!
What is a parfleche? It is a box used by the Plains Indians to carry goods as they traveled. First, the class will discuss the uses of these highly ornate boxes and the nature of the Plains Indians' nomadic lifestyle. Then, the class...
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Inspired Innovation
Throughout time, innovators have taken basic ideas and changed them into creative and cutting-edge designs. Kids tackle the topic of innovations in relation to traditional or creative objects. They discuss traditional Navajo pottery then...
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Classroom Potlatch
Elementary schoolers study the history and purpose of potlatches. The listen to two stories about potlatches, then design a potlatch that they will host for their family members. They must come up with the gifts they would give, the...
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Uniform Design
Students investigate the military by examining their uniforms. For this design lesson, students analyze the military uniforms from different locations and time periods. Students create new ideas for current military uniforms.
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Corn Prints and Henri Matisse
Fourth graders observe prints and paintings as the teacher discusses various design elements (repetition, variety, texture, pattern, etc.) used by the artist Henri Matisse. They look at and discuss Indian corn and then make a print that...
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I Heard the Owl Call My Name
Eleventh graders write a two to three page paper addressing one of the following topics: Analyze the values and beliefs of the two conflicting cultures. Explain which values seem to dominate within the conflict and why. They brainstorm...
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Paving the Road to the Constitution
Eighth graders argue for or against the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. In this U.S. government instructional activity, 8th graders complete four activities that encourage them to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the...
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The Inuit Family: A study of its history, beliefs, and images
Students study the Inuit in terms of their geographic location and its influence on their way of life. They investigate Inuit imagery as a reflection of their belief system and focus on the objects of the Inuit to introduce...
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The Witch of Goingsnake
Young scholars interpret a proverb and read examples of oral histories. In this The Witch of Goingsnake lesson, students read two samples of oral history and discuss quotations from each. Young scholars read "Calf Roper's Bandit Car"...
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Navajo Code Talkers
Learners investigate the Navajo Code Talkers and their role in World War II. They complete a Webquest, explore various websites, encode a short message, analyze maps, answer discussion questions, and read newspaper articles about secure...
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California's Mission/Rancho Era
Fourth graders complete a variety of activities as they study the Spanish colonization of California, including the relationships among missionaries and Indians and their interactions with soldiers and people in the pueblos and ranchos.
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Thinking About Diversity: One Student's View
Young scholars are asked how would you describe your yourself (Racial/Ethnic). Students read Little Boxes, where it is discussed that the author describes that backgrounds of her parents. They continue to read where they still need to...
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Mexico: One Land, Many Cultures
Students research and study the country of Mexico and complete a project about it. In this Mexico lesson plan, students research Mexico's geography, traditions, art, songs, stories, and legends that are native to Mexico.
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Coyote and Anansi
Students explore the structure of folktales. In this coyote and Anansi lesson, students discuss the attributes of folktales as they read versions of tales featuring coyote and Anansi. Students collaborate to write and perform their own...
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Centennial: Have I Got a Story for You
Young scholars identify the clues that folklore provides about Utah's past, and create a piece of folklore for a place or event in or near their community.
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Writing Bug- Famous Parents
In this writing prompt worksheet, student write an open response essay in response to the prompt, "If you could choose two famous people to be your parents, who would you choose? Your chosen parents can be alive today, or they might have...
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Spring: Giving Thanks to the Herring
Learners study the Wampanoag tribe to learn about the importance of the herring to their culture. In this Wampanoag lesson, students read information and complete multiple activities to learn about the role of the herring fish in the...
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Buffalo
Learners complete a journal entry for the uses of the buffalo by the "Salish with Flathead" and Pend d'Oreille Indians. They understand that people depended on the buffalo for their survival.
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Paving the Road to the Constitution
Eighth graders assess the strengths and weaknessess of the Articles of Confederation as related to the United States and North Carolina. They demonstrate an argument for or against ratification of the United States Constitution.
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A Medal for Peace
Students create a class peace medal to present to another grade/class as a symbol of friendship between the two groups of students. Then they write an explanation of what the purpose of the peace medal is and how it relates to Lewis and...
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California: Land and People
Fourth graders research information about some of California indigenous tribes to find out as much as possible about the first people found in the four regions of California. They research the history of a selected tribe and their...
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Hand Built Tea Bowls
Students follow directions to create clay bowls. In this pottery instructional activity, students use clay and the pictured tools to follow the directions and create a fire baked tea bowl.
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Quilts, Warmth with History
Pupils examine numerous quilts that show the culture and history of Nebraska. Using the internet, they view quilts from different points in history and discuss them as a class. They examine the role quilts play in discovering information...
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ABC's of the Louisiana Purchase
Students investigate the Louisiana Purchase by reviewing the ABC's of the purchase. Each letter of the alphabet is accompanied by information pertaining to the event. They participate in a variety of activities to reinforce the concepts...