National First Ladies' Library
Executive Order 9066: Japanese-American Internment
Students analyze conditions under which sections of United States Constitution are superceded, research history of Native Americans, African Americans, and Japanese Americans, and debate policy of reparations for various minority groups...
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American Indians
Fourth graders explore the American Indians and the music from their culture. They discuss the music of American Indians and compare that music with the music that we listen to today. Students create rainstick and perform their own...
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The Story of Sitting Bull
Students complete activities with the book The Story of Sitting Bull by Jeffrey A. Rucker. In this literature lesson plan, students review new vocabulary and practice finding capital letters. They read the story, answer...
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Indian Heroes And Role Models
Fourth graders investigate the concept of heroes and role models within the Native American community. They use primary and secondary resources to answer specific questions intended to bring the students to a definition of Native...
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The Great American Desert
In this American deserts activity, students study the images and read the passages to learn about the 6 divisions in the American landscape: the Eastern lowlands, the Flood Plain, the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, and the Pacific...
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Navajo Sand Paintings
Research the use of sand paintings in the Navajo tribe. Your students work together to design their own sand painting. They share their creation with the class describing what the symbols mean.
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Eastern Woodland Indians
Fifth graders research the Eastern Woodland Indians in this lesson. They list the tribes and write a description of the physical environment. They list examples of the types of food, clothing, transportation, home/shelter,...
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Folktales: "The Storytelling Stone"
Learners create a folktale after finding out the importance of folktales in different cultures. In this folktales lesson, students determine the definition of a folktale and read a "The Storytelling Stone." Learners then...
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Reading: Chief Seattle
In this reading a speech worksheet, students read the words of Chief Seattle from 1857. Students analyze the words in bold type and answer 6 multiple choice questions.
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First Nations Contributions
Eleventh graders recognize the contributions made my Indigenous people around the world. In this research skills lesson, 11th graders research native peoples of several countries and create presentations that feature the contributions of...
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The American Revolution
Fifth graders read about the Revolutionary War. In this history lesson, 5th graders review what they know about the the Revolutionary War in order to identify British and American leaders. Students read a chapter from their...
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Waste, Then and Now
Students discuss and compare the waste disposal habits of today with those of Native Americans of long ago.
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Place Names
Students investigate the meaning of various Native American names. In this Native American language instructional activity, students locate state names that come from Native American descriptions and mark them on a map. Students then...
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Ute Indians: Past and Present
Fourth graders study the history of the Ute Indians. In this Ute Indians instructional activity, 4th graders complete a KWL chart about Ute Indians and read the online Ute Indian Fact Sheet. Students study examples of Ute culture, where...
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Conflict On The Plains
Eighth graders investigate the culture and lifestyles of the Lakota Sioux and the Northern Cheyenne tribes. They use a variety of resources for research. They create questions based on information to be used during classroom discussion...
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Ann Arbor Growth & Immigration
Third graders describe some of the factors that brought early settlers to Ann Arbor. They read Narrative-A Trip from Utica, New York, to Ingham County, Michigan in 1838. As an added challenge, 3rd graders can use maps to track Silas...
University of California
The Cold War (America)
The Cold War—with its roots in World War II—impacts the world today. Using an extensive curriculum, scholars consider its impact through primary sources, including speeches and propaganda, as well as other skills-enhancing activities. An...
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Kernels of Wisdom: Investigating Natural Variations in Corn
Here is a brain-popper! Corn, or more appropriately, maize, was intentionally domesticated by humans around 9,000 years ago and over a period of hundreds to thousands of years! Genetics and botany researchers have collaborated to find...
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Native American Music and Dance Activity
Students demonstrate keeping steady beat through practice exercises and stepping to the beat using instruments such as conga drums, tambourines and rhythm sticks.
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Buffalo Hide
Students research the traditional Lakota tipi (teepee) and compare types of homes used in the past with those used today. They design and construct an accurate model of a tipi.
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Feral Cats
In this geography learning exercise, learners identify the feral cats of Australia. They read an excerpt and respond to the three questions that follow. Students also imagine that they are a part of scientific team that has been set up...
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Fur Trading
Students take on a role such as a farming community, hunting community or a trading post. They decide which products they focus on and then trade with the other groups.
American Museum of Natural History
Tools of the Trade
Archaeologist David Hurst Thomas details his search for a lost Spanish Mission on St. Catherines Island, Georgia. A great way to introduce youngsters to the life of and the tools used by archaeologists.
Read Works
First Thanksgiving Meal
Cranberries, oysters, lobster, deer, and cabbage were just a few of the foods found on the table at the First Thanksgiving. After reading a two-page passage about the historic meal, class members respond to 10 reading...