Native American Storytelling Lesson Plans

Students investigate the art of storytelling and make Native American storytelling dolls. In this storytelling and Native American lesson, students discuss the art and purpose of storytelling. They examine listening skills and make clay listening dolls.

Students research various Native American tribes encountered during the Lewis and Clark Expedition.  In this American history instructional activity, students work in groups to do research to become experts on Native American communities, prepare a slide show demonstrating various aspects of their lives, and give an oral presentation to share what they discovered.

Eleventh graders create a myth concerning a Native American Legend from North Carolina. Using traditional and internet research methods, 11th graders explore a local Native American myth and compare and contrast it to a myth from another region. Their research concluded with the creation of their own Native American myth.

Students examine Native American heritage. They explore a museum of Native American culture and explore their food, dress, and customs. They also explore the Native Americans role in the first Thanksgiving.

Students explore Native American storytelling.  For this storytelling lesson, students listen to Knots on a Counting Rope by Bill Martin and then discuss Indian tribes. Students research a tribe and make dioramas. Students write their own version of a Native American folk story and tell it to the class.

Practice grade-level reading comprehension with this lesson, in which middle schoolers read different examples of Native American literature. They discover different cultures while examining their own, and answer questions related to the readings. Use this lesson in your American Literature unit, or as a way to assess reading comprehension.

Third graders read and retell a Native American Legend. In this legends lesson, 3rd graders understand the value of legends and retell a Native American legend using a slide show software.

Eleventh graders examine the background of Native American myths and legends.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders read a myth out loud to their classmates.  Students compare and contrast their myths with other ones.  Students create paintings or illustrations that depict the story (use traditional art materials or the computer - PowerPoint, Kid Pix, or any graphic program).

Fourth graders use video, CD-ROMS, discussion, books and maps to further their understanding of the Wisconsin Native American's culture and contributions to American society.

Fifth graders identify seven different constellations and explain a myth that accompanies it. As a class, they listen to myths associated with the Greek and Native American cultures. To end the lesson, they write their own myth related to their culture.