Lakota Lesson Plans

First graders examine their individual ethnic heritage. In this ethnic heritage lesson, 1st graders from Montana look at their own ethnic heritages. They determine which clan and tribal affiliation they belong to after learning the associated vocabulary. They make individual time-lines and present them to the class.

Fifth graders investigate the Tribal Nations of the Montana Indians. In this tribal sovereignty lesson, 5th graders discover that Montana made treaties with the Indians to have their own government. Students learn the timeline of the treaty and fill out a graphic organizer about the feelings and thoughts of the settlers and Indians.

Students explore Native American self determination. In this Native American history and writing activity, students discuss and summarize the main points of the Self Determination Act after viewing an interview of a current Montana tribe leader. Students work in groups to research current issues that have been influenced by the Self Determination Act and present an oral report on their findings.

Eighth graders examine the allotment period of the American Indians. In this American Indian history activity, 8th graders research the allotment period. They look at the formal interactions between the United States government and the American Indian Nations. They write an essay and give an oral presentation with their research findings.

Students read about the life of Jim Thorpe and answer focus lessons about the book.  In this Jim Thorpe lesson, students celebrate the American Indian culture and learn of the hardships Jim Thorpe overcame.  Students find descriptive words about Jim Thorpe.

Students investigate the role of ceremonies and other traditions of Native American cultures. They research various Native American nations and create posters that visually depict their research.

Students examine the concept of geographic region by exploring the history of the Great Plains. In Part I, students gather information about the location and environment of the Great Plains in order to produce a map outlining the the region.

Students research information on the village life of Hidatsa and Mandan groups in the early 19th century and compare it with the textbook history of nomadic horse-culture Indians.

Third graders complete a unit of lessons on the singing, instruments, and dancing of Native Americans. They identify and play various instruments, complete worksheets, define key vocabulary, sing songs, and perform dances.

Students explore human settlement in America - from the 1500s to about the turn of the 20th Century. They follow the relationships and changes beginning in the east, then head west to witness the final battles of this era.