Smithsonian Institution
Western Indian Wars
Why do many Native Americans live on reservations? An interactive resource teaches about how reservations came to be and the tragic history behind Native Americans moving from their lands. Teenagers read passages, view images, and click...
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Getting to Know the Kwakiutl Indians
Third graders identify who the Kwakiutl Indians were and where they lived. They describe the way of life of the Kwakiutl and identify the natural resources used by the Kwakiutl, and describe the Kwakiutl's beliefs about nature.
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A Treaty Tail: U.S. - Indian Treaty Councils in the Northwest
Learners view a painting as a document to find out about the Indian Treaty Councils. In this artist's perspective lesson, students study the conflicts as shown in various pictures. Learners answer questions about what they learn from...
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If These Objects Could Talk
Students examine American Indian artifacts through historical, cultural and artistic lenses. They explore the philosophy behind the Smithsonian Institute's new museum to honor American Indian history and traditions.
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Indian PowWow
Students identify three different American Indian regions and tribes, their food, clothing, shelter, recreation, and transportation. Students create artifacts that can be placed in a museum. Students sing songs, chants, and dance. ...
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Native Americans of Rockland County
Students comprehend Native American cultures through the use of both secondary and primary sources. They explore and investigate Native Americans in New York State. Students are shown some old Indian arrowheads and they are challenged...
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The Anasazi
Sixth graders investigate and determine the origins of the ancient Anasazi who inhabited present-day Utah and the Four-Corners-Region, after receiving direct instruction and carrying out activities in cooperative group settings. They...
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Today We Encountered the White Man
Learners analyze and interpret artifacts and a timeline to get specific information. In this timeline lesson plan students work in groups to research an Indian tribe and write an information piece of their research.
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Native Lands: Indians in Georgia, How Do We Know What We Know?
Students examine Native American oral traditions. In this Georgia history lesson, students discuss Native American oral traditions and research stories of migration. Students create their own oral history projects that feature their...
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Native American Living Museum
Seventh graders complete a unit of lessons on Native Americans. They analyze Native American cultures, create a Native American artifact for a Living Museum, and develop a tour of the museum using a digital camera and a Powerpoint...
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A Comparison of Native Americans in Photography
Students use technology to gain historical information to analyze photography. They interpret the significance of a photograph during a specific time period. Also, students interpret visual information to gain an overview of various...
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Native Americans
Eighth graders are assigned a group of Native Americans from the North Carolina area to study. They research and write a paper, including sections on family, government, food, clothing, shelter, European contact, artifacts and give an...
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Boarding Schools And Native American Culture
Young scholars engage in a activity that focuses on the influence of American values placed upon the Indians. Students use primary and secondary documents in order to explore the indoctrination. They create a project that reflects...
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What Death Brings to Life - English Component
Pupils are introduced to the characteristics of ancient Indian, Chinese and Aztec cultures. They consider what was valued by these cultures and compare the cultures' values to their own. They write an essay on their reflections.
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Hand Built Tea Bowls
Students follow directions to create clay bowls. In this pottery lesson, students use clay and the pictured tools to follow the directions and create a fire baked tea bowl.
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Lesson 6: Examining Events from Different Perspectives Friend or Foe?
Fifth graders sequence events of European exploration and colonization by creating timelines. They define the differences between primary and secondary sources. They discuss claims to Texas land in the 17th Century.
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Environment, Technology, and Culture of the Chumash People
Students develop an understanding of the interrelatedness of technology, culture, and environment as illustrated by the Chumash culture. They research the tribe and complete a table for the Chumash people describing their environment,...
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The Anasazi
Pupils investigate and determine the origins of the ancient Anasazi who inhabited present-day Utah and the Four-Corners-Region.
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Making Good Decisions
Students examine the consequences of behaviors and what the concept of trade offs are. In this good decision lesson plan students read an article and answer questions on making good decisions.
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Arthur's Thanksgiving
Young scholars investigate Thanksgiving by reading a children's book. In this holiday lesson, students read Arthur's Thanksgiving by Marc Brown and create a turkey fact book after reading an electronic encyclopedia. Young scholars...
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The Archaeology of Cactus Ruin
Students simulate archaeologists by excavating a paper site. In groups, they use a sampling strategy to determine information about the people who lived at the site.