Anti-Defamation League
Impact of the U.S. Expansion on Indigenous People and Stereotypes About Native American People
The 2004 U.S. bicentennial sparks a discussion about its meaning and importance to United States history. Readings, maps, tables, and reflective writing prompt small groups to explore the westward expansion, Lewis and Clark, and how...
Curated OER
Hawaiian Natives Disappear
Students explore parts of the Hawaiian Islands to get a examine the exotic invasion, and see what challenges the natives face in reclaiming their territory. They identify the changes in the environment that have been the hardest on the...
Curated OER
Modern Interpretations
To conclude an eight-lesson study of the events that occurred in the early colonial period in Deerfield, Massachussetss, class members evaluate the point of view and bias found in late 19th and early 20th century retellings.
Curated OER
Native Harvest
Students read Native Plants and Early Peoples and explore the plants in Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park and find how the Native Americans used them. In this Native American plant and people lesson, students research two types...
Curated OER
Early Native American Life
In this Native Americans instructional activity, students read and discuss a 1 page article, fill in the blanks to 6 statements, match 6 vocabulary words with their correct definitions and answer 4 short answer questions referring back...
New York City Department of Education
Geography and Early Peoples of the Western Hemisphere
Young historians discover the early people of the western hemisphere. The unit explores how the land changed, how it was used and homes of early Americans such as Incas, Mayans, Inuits, Aztecs, and Pueblos. Individuals also examine these...
Curated OER
Native Americans of the Chesapeake Bay: Using Primary vs. Secondary Sources
Discover the rich Native American culture that existed at the time of early European exploration into the Chesapeake region through analysis of several primary and secondary sources.
Curated OER
Native Americans and Natural Resources
North American Indian civilizations had already been in place for over 10,000 years before the arrival of European settlers. Introduce your young historians to Indian tribes that lived in the Chesapeake region in the early seventeenth...
Smithsonian Institution
A Life in Beads: The Stories a Plains Dress Can Tell
Young learners discover how the Sioux and Assiniboine tribes preserved native culture through the making of traditional dresses, identifying the resources used to make the dresses and discussing behind the meaning behind some American...
Americans All
A Simulation: The Peopling of America
What was it like to pass through Ellis Island? Learners move through the immigration process of the early 1900s in a simulation activity. A comprehensive activity includes role-playing profiles and other manipulative items such as...
Curated OER
Early American English Lit Writing Assignment (Senior, Literature)
To better understand early American literature, which was usually written by Puritans coming to the new world, learners pretend they have just landed on Mars. They compose a letter home describing their experiences, the new landscape,...
Curated OER
Early Americans - Their Culture and Law
Students examine the laws, food, clothing, and shelter of early American Indian cultures. They conduct research, answer questions, and plan and map out an early American Indian village.
Curated OER
Native American Vocabulary Quiz
Learning about Native American culture? Consider using this matching exercise either as a quiz (as it's labelled) or simply independent practice. Kids recall the meanings of 11 vocabulary words: compromise, wampum, ceremony, hogan,...
Curated OER
Native American Vocabulary
If your class is learning about Native American culture or life, a vocabulary sheet might come in handy. There are 12 terms, each with a full definition included. Terms include buffalo, tepee, hogan, wampum, prairie, tribe, myth, clan,...
Reading Through History
Early History and Exploration Unit
We all know about Christopher Columbus, but who else explored the Americas, and specifically, the future United States of America? Learners find out these answers and more in a resource that includes four different reading sections,...
Curated OER
Crossroads of the Continent: Early Trade in Kansas
Students study early Native American-European trade. They play bartering games to discover trade as an economic funtion, as well as other implications of trading one good for another.
Curated OER
Lives of Native Americans and Settlers
Students assess the effect of contact between the Native Americans and Europeans after 1492. They explore the lives of the early European colonists and the Native Americans living along the East Coast of North America. Lesson contains...
Curated OER
Celebrate Native American Heritage
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.
Curated OER
Sharing Their Stories: Native American Literature and Culture in 19th Century America
Students investigate Native American culture reading and writing about early Native American authors. They listen to an expert to extend their understanding of the culture.
Curated OER
Native American Culture
Students read a variety of Native American Literature and discuss the main idea by answering critical thinking questions about the poem. Students use context clues to understand the feeling of the Native American culture about the Earth....
Curated OER
Native Lands: Indians in Georgia
Students investigate the Native Americans of the Muscogee Creek and their use of the land. In this U.S. history lesson plan, students investigate the importance of the deer for the Muscogee Creek peoples' way of life and the many uses...
Curated OER
Early History of Our Lane
Second graders study Native American Kalapuya culture. In this American History lesson, 2nd graders discover the early inhabitants of their community. They take a field trip to Dorris Ranch.
Curated OER
Philanthropic Beliefs of Native Americans
Pupils examine the tradition of giving and sharing in early Native American communities. In this philanthropy lesson, students define the term philanthropy, list 3 traditions of Native American giving and sharing, and identify 3...
Curated OER
Native Americans and Giving
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this Brother Eagle, Sister Sky: The Words of Chief Seattle lesson, students examine the plight of Native Americans and explore Native Americans' quest for the "common good."