Indian Land Tenure Foundation
Elders' Stories
Very young learners study the ways that oral traditions play such a huge part in the culture of Native Americans. They see how Elders pass along stories to the younger generations. If possible, a tribal Elder comes into the class to...
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Inventions- The Impact
Learners investigate inventions and the impact they can have on people. In this technology lesson, students research Thomas Edison and discuss how the invention of the light bulb impacted others. Learners sketch out an invention they...
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Don't Call Me A Pig
First graders explore wildlife and habitats in the Arizona desert. Throughout a classroom discussion, 1st graders observe pictures of the desert and animals that live there. As they go on a nature walk around the school, students...
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Lesson 2: Helping
Students role-play taking care of each other. In this cancer lesson, students examine how to help someone who is sick. Students discover that cancer is not contagious. Working in small groups, students role-play how to take care of each...
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Objectivity
Help young readers examine historic artifacts to determine if they were designed to help people survive or to create enjoyment. They identify objects that were designed to help people to survive and to enjoy themselves. Then compare and...
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Culture Commotion
Exposing young children to the wonders of world cultures is very important. Here is a sweet lesson which does just that! In it, learners listen to music, and stories from cultures around the world. They learn greetings in different...
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Deck the Halls with Literature Trees
Reinforce and assess reading comprehension by having your class make a literature tree! After reading a book, pupils make decorations to represent the book's themes, characters, and setting. Materials for decorating can be as diverse and...
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Sharing African Culture
Students investigate African American culture by reading aloud an African folk tale and illustrating the tale. They use their illustrations to create a book or a bulletin board that retells the folk tale.
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This Is America! Flag Collage
In a visual essay of their thoughts about "What America Means to Me," kids of any age can create a collage about their country. Originally intended to be created physically, learners could share their projects online by using an...
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Boxes & Blocks: Puffer Bellies and Box Cars
Students turn cardboard boxes into outdoor dramatic play. In this early childhood visual arts lesson, students explore cooperative and dramatic play outdoors by challenging children to create a train from cardboard boxes.
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Water Fun
Learners examine uses for water. In this water lesson, students discuss how they use water. As a class learners make a PowerPoint by naming one swimming safety rule. Students compare and contrast fishing for fun and fishing for survival.
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Lesson: Nimble Symbols
Comparative thinking is one way to build critical analysts. Budding artists discuss symbols and how they represent concepts, beliefs, or ideas. They compare the symbols found on an ancient Egyptian mummy case to those found in...
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Lesson: More Than a Dollar's Worth of Meaning
The Chinese, Dish with the Eight Buddhist Emblems contains symbols and visual references for learners to explore. They search for Buddhist symbolism on the dish and then they use their observation skills to locate and explore the meaning...
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Royal Painting Workshop
Students study Emperor Akbar and his support of culture by examining an illustration from the Akbarnama. They explore Mughal illustration workshop practices and re-create those practices in their own version of an illustration for a...
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Lesson: Bringing Back the Sun: The Story of Jaguar Inspiring Student Stories
What on earth is that jar for? It was an ancient incense burner used by the Maya, that was inspired by the myth of the sun god. Young analysts hear the story of the Mayan sun god, analyze the story through the artistry in the jar, and...
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Lesson: Deities & Superheroes
Here's a twist on the old compare-and-contrast lesson. Budding art historians compare an Assyrian limestone relief to comic book superheroes. They discuss the similarities and differences in the three-dimensional relief to...
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Lesson: Creating a Superhero Sculpture
Indian art depicts an amazing pantheon of gods and goddesses, each having interesting powers and purposes. Young art historians use the provided images to analyze a carved sculpture of a monkey-god. They then brainstorm the attributes...
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Lesson: Creative Containers
Even functional everyday objects can be highly ornate and thoughtfully designed. Art analysts look at the form and function of an Inca jug used to transport liquid. They consider this jug in relation to other jugs fashioned throughout...
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Picture Books and the Bill of Rights
Students identify the basic freedoms of citizens in the United States. In this Bill of Rights activity, students act out scenarios about the Bill of Rights. Students create a picture book describing the rights they've acted out.
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St. Lucia Day Star Hat
Students celebrate Saint Lucia Day. In this Saint Lucia Day lesson, students research information about St. Lucia Day, a tradition celebrated in Sweden to honor the Queen of Light and construct a cone hat similar to those that are worn...
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Surfin' Santa Card
Students explore December climates in Southern and Northern Hemispheres, including areas close to the equator. In this surfin' Santa card lesson, students research how Christmas is celebrated in warm climates and create greeting cards to...
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Russian Star Ornaments
Students research Russian Orthodox Christmas traditions in pre-soviet Russia and in other parts of the world. Then they create a handcrafted ornament in the style of old Russia. Students also decorate their Russian Star Ornament with...
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Rice Is All Around Us!
Students grasp the complexity and similarities of traditional foods in various countries and cultures. Then they compare and contrast family food traditions with their classmates. Students also create a decorated box to store recipes...
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Rangoli Designs
Students use colored chalk on sandpaper to make authentic Rangoli designs in the Hindu Tradition. They study Diwali and the Hindu culture and research authentic Hindu designs and symbols. They identify traditional symbols that are used...