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Pages Out of the Past
Students examine examples of rock art and the reasons why they were made. They translate the images into a creative writing piece that be attached to their own rock art.
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The Latino Religious Experience: People of Faith and Vision
Students explain why Columbus said the native peoples he encountered when he reached the New World were "a people who lived in God." They explain if Latinos can still be said to be "a people who live in God." Students explain the role of...
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The Great Hunter Storytelling Lesson
Students listen to and use resources to translate an old Oneida story told in the Oneida language by an elder in the community. They then develop an illustrated slideshow of the story.
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Thirteen Moons Language Lesson
First graders study, discuss, and memorize the meanings in the Oneida Language of the most commonly used names for each of the Thirteen Moon cycles in their community. They draw pictures corresponding with the name of each of the moon...
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Rain Sticks
Artists of all ages construct a three-dimensional form and fill it with rice to make gentle, percussive sounds. They discover that Native South American tribesmen would harvest dead branches from cactus plants, fill them with small...
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Textured Metal Boxes
Discuss the art process called repousse with this instructional activity. Learners discuss the history of this artistic method, talk about the technique, and create their own examples. They use boxwood tools, paper mache boxes, and...
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Ancient Gold Working
Students create a sculpture inspired by the masks, pendants, or human and animal forms found in ancient Indian art of the Americas. They focus on the techniques of metalworking, especially repousse.
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Rediscovering Forgotten Women Writers
Women's voices are becoming more prominent in the world of literature, but for centuries, this wasn't the case. Young historians research a woman whose writings are considered to be lost, out of print, or forgotten. They develop an oral...
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Pablita Indian Legends
Scholars are introduced to the characteristics of a legend. They read and discuss Old Father Story Teller by Pablita Velarde. Then, in groups, they write and illustrate a poem based on one of the legends from the book. This lesson plan...
Dream of a Nation
Writing Interdisciplinary Essay
The Grapes of Wrath. The Jungle. Native Son. The Things They Carried. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian. To address a current social, political, economic, or environmental issue, class groups pair the reading of a...
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Rock Speaks
Young scholars create primitive forms and caricatures to represent meaningful figures and/or events in their own lives, present their own works to the class, and attempt to interpret the relevant meaning from other students' work.
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Comparing Land Views of Different Cultures
Young scholars research various legends and write a script based on that legend. In this cultural awareness lesson, students read the Native American legend telling of the origin of the earth. Young scholars analyze how the...
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What Are Our Talents?
Students describe how a talent can be used to help others. They read a story about a Native American boy who shares his talent with others. They illustrate their special talent and shares them with the group.
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Heroes At Home
Students present information on a Native American role model in the community to the class. They gain an understanding of what a role model is. They discuss role models and choose one to interview for their presentation to the class.
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Picture Writing
Fourth graders create symbols. In this visual arts instructional activity, 4th graders study cave drawings, Native American pictographs, and Aboriginal Drawings prior to creating their own communication without using words.
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Weaving Traditions - Activity 1
Learners practice the techniques of weaving and braiding in this introductory lesson on family traditions and visual art. The lesson includes a video and other resource links.
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The Transcontinental Railroad
Learners investigate the impact of the Transcontinental Railroad. In this Transcontinental Railroad lesson, students research Internet and print sources regarding the effect of the railroad on Chinese immigrants and American...
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Canadian Symbols
Students discover the ideals of Canada by analyzing its symbols. In this Canadian culture lesson, students identify the symbols that established the U.S. as its own nation and compare them to important Canadian symbols....
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Role Models - Grade 8
Eighth graders research Elders as role models. In this native studies lesson, 8th graders select Elders of the First Nations and research their contributions to society. Students create posters featuring the their findings and present...
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Thirteen Moons Language Lesson
First graders pronounce and define the Thirteen Moon Cycles in Oneida language. In this multicultural literacy and calendar lesson plan, 1st graders view a video clip in which Oneida elder speakers say the name of each moon and explain...
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Tongue Tied
Fourth graders select topics about Florida Indians to research and give an informative speech to the class about their topics. The main focus' of this activity are the research, and the speech that each student gives to the class.
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Animals in Art
Students look at how animals are shown in literature and art as representing emotions, telling a story, or sending a message in this elementary school Language Arts and Visual Arts lesson.
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Native California Americans
Fourth graders study the differences in the ways of life of five different Native California Tribes. They assess the use of technology, computers and the Internet as valuable investigation tools.