White reformers thought they were "killing the Indian" to "save the man." Native children were taken from their parents and placed at boarding schools, such as the Carlisle School. Using a comparative photo analysis of children before and after they were taken, young historians think about what this meant for indigenous peoples, the culture, and their children.

Concepts

native american culture, native american history, native americans, genocide, racism, children's rights, primary source analysis, primary source images, primary sources

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Instructional Ideas

• Use as a warm-up activity to introduce Native American boarding schools
• Incorporate into teaching on genocide

Classroom Considerations

• Topic raises disturbing themes about childhood trauma and genocide

Pros

• Photograph is engaging for students seeing the effects of US policy on kids their ages
• Activity is easy to integrate into a variety of lessons

Cons

• None

Common Core

RH.6-8.1 RH.6-8.2 RH.6-8.7 RH.6-8.10 RH.9-10.1 RH.9-10.2 RH.9-10.7 RH.9-10.10 RH.11-12.1 RH.11-12.2 RH.11-12.7 RH.11-12.10