Smithsonian Institution
Conflicting Voices of the Mexican War
Americans wanted to fulfill Manifest Destiny, and this pattern continued with the Mexican War. The resource specifically teaches about the Mexican War through a variety of exercises including a research project, group work, brainstorming...
Channel Islands Film
Once Upon a Time (Saxipak’a): Lesson Plan 4
How did the environment and natural resources found on the Channel islands influence the culture of the Chumash? Archaeology meets technology in an activity designed for middle schoolers. After viewing West of The West's documentary Once...
Scholastic
The First Thanksgiving Feast for Grades 6–8
It's time for the feast! Young historians complete their study of the First Thanksgiving by completing an online activity, watching a slideshow, and examining a First Thanksgiving timeline. After answering text-dependent questions to...
Curated OER
The Civil Rights Movement
Students compare and contrast African-American, Asian-American, Chicano and Native-American movements with the civil rights movement and are exposed to the sociopolitical and economic factors involved in the rise of social movements.
Indian Land Tenure Foundation
Elders' Stories
Very young learners study the ways that oral traditions play such a huge part in the culture of Native Americans. They see how Elders pass along stories to the younger generations. If possible, a tribal Elder comes into the class to...
Curated OER
Eloquent Words
Logan’s Lament, a speech delivered by Mingo Chief Logan in 1774, provides pupils with an opportunity to not only study the historical events surrounding the battle between Native Americans and the Europeans for the West Virginia...
Curated OER
Indians in Georgia: How Do We Know What We Know?
Students discover archaeology by investigating the history of Native Americans in Georgia. In this U.S. history lesson, students participate in a mock archaeological excavation in their classroom by recovering artifacts and...
Curated OER
Creation Stories
High schoolers explore Native American creation stories. In this Native American lesson, students research Native American culture, social structure, and religious beliefs as they compare and contrast the different elements of Native...
Curated OER
The Alcatraz Proclamation: A Primary Document Activity
Students investigate the Alcatraz Proclamation. In this Native American lesson, students research Native American history and activism as they examine the Alcatraz Proclamation of 1969.
Curated OER
Looking at Ritual and Ceremony
Students explore Edward Curtis' photos of a Native American ritual and practice documenting their own religious rituals. In this photography analysis instructional activity, students analyze an Native American ritual in Curtis' photo....
Curated OER
Raising Buffalo
Fifth graders investigate the significance of buffalo in Native American society. In this Native American history lesson, 5th graders discuss construct a survey to identify what should be learned about buffalo and buffalo ranching....
Curated OER
Totem Transformations
Students are introduced in the Humanities class, as they explore the origins of Totems in Native American folklore. In the computer lab, students read Totem stories and explore the meaning and symbolism behind the myths using various Web...
Curated OER
Why Not Fabric?
Students investigate art from Native American culture by creating fabric. In this native art analysis lesson, students identify the art of Plains Indians and discuss how it is represented in their fabrics, beads and decorations. Students...
Curated OER
People of the Plains- Spiritualism
Fourth graders study cultural characteristics regarding Native American beliefs. They discuss spiritualism as it relates to respect. (respect for all things, living and dead; connection with the land, etc.) They provide examples they...
Curated OER
The Witch of Goingsnake
Students identify figurative language in a proverb and write an interpretation of the proverb prior to reading The Witch of Goingsnake. In this The Witch of Goingsnake lesson plan, students read a native American proverb and determine...
Curated OER
Native American Song and Dance
Learners examine the importance of the drum and drumming in the cultural context of the Native American. Musical insturments and native dance is employed to support the focus of the lesson.
Curated OER
Lost Creek- Sacred Landscapes
Eighth graders engage in the discovery of the meaning of Sacred Landscapes. The religious concept is researched for its impact upon the practices of Native Americans and the geographical regions. They write reflection papers upon the...
Curated OER
Centennial: Home Sweet Home
Fourth graders examine the various types of homes made by Native Americans. In groups, they compare and contrast their homes to those of the Native Americans and discuss how homes reflect one's culture. To end the lesson, they read...
Curated OER
Cultural Vantage Points
Eighth graders investigate the history of Beaverhead County and Big Hole Valley. They focus on the Native American people groups of the immediate area. Students read about the journey of Lewis and Clark to create historical context. Then...
Curated OER
Imagen e ldentidad/Image and Identity: Multiple Voices, Violations and Victories
High schoolers spend a year involved in a project researching the diversity of Native Americans.
Curated OER
The Buffalo Jump
Eighth graders investigate the disappearance of buffalo. They conduct research into the uses of buffalo by the Native Americans. There are resource links included in this instructional activity. They answer specific questions to help...
Curated OER
Buffalo-Ta Tanka
Learners study the buffalo. They watch a video and read a story about the buffalo and what it meant to Native American Indian tribes. They practice naming the parts of buffalo in Lakota.
Curated OER
The Four Sacred Elements
Fourth graders observe the Four Sacred Elements image in PowerPoint as projected on a screen and discuss what they see and then summarize the details. They discuss what the image represents and how the Four Sacred Elements are an...
Curated OER
Lewis and Clark: Prized Possession
Students create a Sacagawea-inspired wampum belt. In this Native-American lesson plan, students study Sacagawea and her influence on the Lewis and Clark expedition. Students learn about wampum and prized possessions and work in groups to...