Curated OER
Heritage: Petroglyphs and the Stories They Tell
Fourth graders are introduced to the use of petroglyphs as a form of communication by the Native American tribes of the region that is now Utah. They prepare their own original picture stories and then switch with a partner to translate...
Curated OER
The Mandan Buffalo Dance and You
Students create short oral presentations describing how Native American tribes use dance, poetry, music, art and other expressions to make a dedication to a physical concept or thing.
Curated OER
Report Writing
Young scholars choose Native American tribe to research, develop ideas for five paragraph report, find information about chosen tribe's history and culture, compare historical life of tribe with contemporary aspects of tribal life today,...
Curated OER
Life of a Navajo Weaver
Students explore Native American weaving patterns and dance movements. In this Native Americans lesson, students view examples of weaving patterns on the Internet and compare the patterns to a Native American dance. Students demonstrate...
Curated OER
Alaska's Native Population: Eskimos, Indians and Aleuts
Learners explore the unique population of Alaska. In this Native people of Alaska lesson, students discover the three groups of people who live in Alaska. Learners describe the similiarities and differences between the three groups....
Curated OER
Cherokee Indians and the Trail of Tears
Students investigate U.S. history by reading American Indian stories. In this Cherokee Indian instructional activity, students identify the cruelty inflicted towards Native Americans by the European settlers and the "trail of tears" that...
Curated OER
Declarations of Independence
Students examine what they know about American Indians past and present, then research key issues facing American Indian tribes today. To synthesize their learning, students write letters taking the perspective of an American Indian.
Curated OER
Letters from the Japanese American Internment
Young scholars examine letters of Japanese-American children during internment in World War II. They discover what it was like in the camps and how they were treated once they were released. They also view photographs of the camps.
Curated OER
A New Deal for African Americans
Students consider how New Deal programs impacted African Americans. For this New Deal lesson, students collaborate to research Internet and print sources regarding selected New Deal programs and African Americans. Students write essays...
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
Global Diversity Through Literature
Students investigate Southwest Indian Reservations. In this Native American lesson, students research Southwest Indian tribes on the Internet and by reading the book, Arrow to the Sun.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Would you fit in with the Cherokees?
Students use this activity as an introduction to the unit on Cherokee Native Americans. They discuss and research Cherokee dress and homes and identify difference between the Cherokee and the individuals in the class.
Curated OER
Around the World, A Multicultural Unit
Students investigate Native American tribes through their stories. In this cultural lesson, students read stories of the Inuit tribe and discuss the themes, people, and customs. Students illustrate a picture of the Inuit tribe...
Curated OER
Nomadic and Sedentary Tribes in Kansas
Seventh graders compare and contrast sedentary and nomadic tribe life. For this Native American culture lesson, 7th graders research primary documents about the Osage and Kiowa tribes. Students create a series of illustrations to be...
Curated OER
American Indian Homes in Kansas
First graders explore culture by researching U.S. history. For this American Indian lesson, 1st graders discuss the geography of Kansas and the different Native American tribes that inhabited the state and the types of homes they lived...
Curated OER
Moccasins are Made for Dancing
Students perform a traditional Native American dance. In this cultural dance lesson, students research two Native American dances. Students discuss the relationship between the dances and Native American culture. Students use their...
Curated OER
Simulated Bark Paintings
Young scholars create simulated, traditional Native American "bark paintings" out of brown paper bags. They paint flowers, birds, animals or scenes of village life on the "bark" in bright colors using acrylic paint.
Curated OER
Wigwam
Students create models of wigwams. They discuss winter and summer villages and the types of wigwams. They construct a wigwam using information from the Native American website to follow the scale. They present their models to the class...
Channel Islands Film
Dark Water: Lesson Plan 1 - Grades 3-4
As part of their study of the history of the Channel Islands, class members craft an informational article to post on a bulletin board that features the Chumash ancestral tradition of tomol paddling.
Channel Islands Film
Once Upon a Time (Sa Hi Pa Ca): Lesson Plan 3
What was the most significant tool used by the Chumash? How did the environment make the tool possible? What group behaviors allowed the Chumash be be successful for thousands of years? After watching West of the West's documentary Once...
Indian Land Tenure Foundation
Relationships to Places
Young historians take a look at how the Indian tribes of California promoted a mindful relationship between people and the land. They begin to understand how the Indians were champions of conservation, and at preserving the natural...
Curated OER
From Sheep to Rug
Ever wonder where wool comes from? How it is used to make a woven rug? Introduce the Native American craft of rug making to your preschool or kindergarten class with a discussion. Learners examine and discuss images of a Native American...
Channel Islands Film
Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island: Lesson Plan 2
After watching West of the West's documentary The Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island, class members imagine how Juana Maria/Karana may have felt about living alone on the island for 18 years and craft a blackout poem or a narrative in her...
Channel Islands Film
Cache: Lesson Plan 2 - Grades 4-6
Class members will dig this activity that has them trying their hand at recovering artifacts. Groups are assigned a section of a sandbox, carefully uncover the artifacts in their section, and then develop theories about who might have...