Smithsonian Institution
A Life in Beads: The Stories a Plains Dress Can Tell
Young learners discover how the Sioux and Assiniboine tribes preserved native culture through the making of traditional dresses, identifying the resources used to make the dresses and discussing behind the meaning behind some...
Curated OER
A River Ran Wild: An Environmental History
The Nashua River serves as the focal point of an investigation of the treatment of and care for natural resources. A reading of A River Rand Wild: An Environmental History by Lynne Cherry, launches the study and class members consider...
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Native American Research Project Presentations
Pupils research various Native American tribes. In this Native American history lesson, students follow the provided rubric to create research presentations on the cultures of selected Native American tribes.
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Using HyperStudio
Second through eighth graders use the software "HyperStudio" to create a presentation of their choice on Native American lifestyles. One thing I like a lot about this lesson, is that the students are the ones who get to choose and...
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Paper Weaving
Practice the native concept of weaving with traditional classroom items. Using assorted colors of construction paper, your class will simulate how to weave. This is a great activity to connect to a Native American, Mexican, or other...
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Dreamcatchers
After reading a Native American legend about dreamcatchers, why not make some. This resource provides several good links that explain the legend of the dreamcatcher and step-by-step instructions for making them with the class. Tip: If...
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Construction Comparison Project Record Sheet
A well-designed table is here for those who are studying Native American history. They choose an Indian tribe, then conduct research which enables them to fill in each of the blanks in the table.
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Pottery with Artist Kerry Moosman
After watching a video of Native American artist Maria Martinez create art out of clay, learners will create burnished coil pots similar to those made by artist, Kerry Moosman. This lesson plan includes a supply list, web links,...
K20 LEARN
Tribal Sovereignty and the Indian Reorganization Act: Tribal Governments
Sovereign nations or wards? High schoolers investigate the history of the Indian Reorganization Act and other legislation that impacted Native Americans. They also research different tribes' constitutions, compare them to the U.S....
Anti-Defamation League
Analyzing Primary Source Documents to Understand U.S. Expansionism and 19th Century U.S.-Indian Relations
Historical events can be viewed from multiple perspectives. This simple truth is brought home in a instructional activity that examines primary source documents related to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Doctrine of Discovery and...
Curated OER
Be Who Your Are
An engaging video begins a lesson all about the representation of Native Americans in all types of careers. Following a discussion about the video, scholars participate in a gallery walk showcasing various Native American figures. Pupils...
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Osage, Legend, and Arkansas History
Elementary schoolers evaluate the legend of Norristown Mountain by looking at facts about the Osage Indians and the legend itself. They do an exploration of Arkansas' Native American groups which includes a look at their legends,...
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Painted Lodges
Students explore lodge construction as a representation of culture. In this cultural diversity and Native American history lesson, students listen to a narrative explaining the origin of Native American painted lodges. Students design...
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Native Americans
Students develop an appreciation of American Indians. They sing "Ten Little Indians," then act out "Brave Little Indian," an action story. They learn the poem "Then and Now."
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Native Americans
Students determine how Native Americans were stripped of their cultures. In this Native American history instructional activity, students analyze several photographs of Native Americans and respond to questions about the photographs....
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Native American Culture
Students investigate the lives of the American Indians who made their homes in the Midwest. In this Native American history lesson, students research the tribes of the Midwest and create PowerPoint presentations based on their research...
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Native American Culture Region Collages
Students research various Native American tribes. In this Native American history lesson, students follow the provided rubric to create collages on the cultures of selected Native American tribes.
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Interpreting Quotes From Native Americans and European Americans
Students examine the relations between Native Americans and European Americans in the late 1700's and early 1800's. In this Native American history lesson, students read and analyze quotes from Atiatoharongwen, Tecumseh, Thomas...
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Introduction to Native Americans Thematic Unit
Students consider different cultural viewpoints. For this Native American history lesson, students examine artifacts and then conduct research on selected Native American tribes.
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Wagons West: Native Americans
Students examine interactions between Native Americans and settlers. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students analyze select passages from Plains Indians by Dana Newmann and The World of Native Americans by Marion Wood. Students...
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Native American Gender Roles in Maryland: A Second Look
In this primary source analysis worksheet, learners examine Native American history to complete the graphic organizer about gender roles in Native American societies.
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Native American Culture
Students examine the links between culture and geography. In this Native American cultures lesson plan, students research the cultural traditions of selected Native American groups. Students compare and contrast their findings.
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Buffalo Hide Paintings
To the Native American people living on the plains, the buffalo represented culture, art, sustenance, and survival. Explore the history of the buffalo with a social studies lesson, in which learners create a buffalo hide painting in the...
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Describing Drum Beats in Native American Music
Students analyze the drum patterns and changing styles of the music and dance for the Native American song and dance "Owl Dance." They listen to a recording of "Owl Dance," discuss the cultural context of the song, and perform the song.