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The Buffalo: A Way of Life for the Plains Indians
Eighth graders complete a KWL chart on the Plains Indians. After watching a video, they state the difference between legends and facts about the importance of the buffalo to Native Americans. They also practice their note-taking skills...
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Coil-Built Pueblo Bowls
Use Native American tradition to create the context for making different cultural representations of pottery. Practice using geometrical shapes painted on the pottery, research different patterns found on Native American pottery, and...
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Comparing Kwakiutl, Cheyenne and Navajo tribes
Third graders study the difference between the Kwakiutl, Cheyenne and Navajo tribes. They identify the people, resources, lifestyle and beliefs of the Kwakiutl, Cheyenne, and Navajo Indians. Afterward, they present their projects on each...
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Lesson: Contemporary Tribal Designs
There is a lot to be learned from a horse. Kids analyze a contemporary tribal design found on a large installation piece. Then they create tribal designs of their own that show similarities and difference between cultures and time...
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Native American Symbol Stories
Students investigate Native American history by creating traditional style vests. In this language arts lesson, students analyze the symbols from different tribes and define them in English. Students create a story with these symbols...
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Language Arts: Native Americans and Onomatopoeias
Fifth graders read the Native American tale, "The Frog and the Crane," focusing on the use of onomatopoeia in it. In groups, they brainstorm list of words that are examples of the device. Finally, 5th graders write their own stories...
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Native American Heritage Month
An exploration of Native American culture can lead to art, literature, and poetry activities.
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Shoes and the Backyard Landscape
Your shoes get a lot of mileage in familiar places. Represent the places you have traveled the most with an art project based on a print of Indian People Wear Shoes and Socks by Juane Quick-to-See Smith. Kids trace their shoes and draw...
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James Welch's Fools Crow
Learners explore the history of Montana's Native Americans by reading James Welch's Fools Crow. Set shortly after the Civil War, the novel focuses on a young Blackfoot Indian and his tribe. Over the course of several weeks, class members...
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American Indians of the Local Region
Students describe the American Indian nations in their local region long ago and in recent past. They research religious beliefs, customs, and various folklore traditions.
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Indian Removal in the Age of Jackson
Students compare policies toward Native Americans that were pursued by President Jackson as well as evaluate the impact of assimilation, removal, and resettlement on Native Americans
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American Indian Homes in Kansas
First graders explore culture by researching U.S. history. In this American Indian lesson, 1st graders discuss the geography of Kansas and the different Native American tribes that inhabited the state and the types of homes they lived...
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Go Native!
Learners explore the five Native American regions. They compare and contrast the dwellings, clothing, and tools of the Native American groups. Students research one group of Native Americans. They build totem poles, pueblos, weave...
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Social Studies: How Did Native Americans Live?
Fifth graders examine Edward Curtis' photographs and Robert Griffing's paintings to analyze Native American culture. They present research information on specific tribes, using the photos and paintings to uncover information about the...
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Symbols of Power in Native American Clothing
Young scholars create power shirts that were highly important in the culture of many Native Americans.
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Introductory Activity-Native American Images as Mascots
Young scholars, in small cooperative groups, are introduced to a lesson concerning the controversy involved in using Native American names and images as sports mascots. They brainstorm mascot names and discuss the meaning behind each.
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Declarations of Independence
Students examine what they know about American Indians past and present, then research key issues facing American Indian tribes today. To synthesize their learning, students write letters taking the perspective of an American Indian.
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Kansas Clues
Students examine the Kansas state quarter and the Buffalo nickel and look for clue to help them identify why the bison was so important to the Native American. They perform "freeze frames" depicting Native American use of the bison.
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Making a Tepee and Buckskin Paper
Students make an Indian craft. In this Native American culture lesson, students view pictures of tepees and then create a tepee of their own. Students learn about buckskin paper and use it to make an Indian craft.
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Great Basin Tribes- Use of Land for Sustenance
Students explore four Native American tribes from Nevada. In this Native American history lesson, students identify and generate important corresponding attributes of the Southern Paiute, Northern Paiute, Washoe, and Western Shoshone...
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QUIZ SHOW! What were you thinking? What did you say?
Learners participate in a game show to share the information they have uncovered about the US expansion policy and how it affected Native Americans.
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When Turtle Grew Feathers
Students explore the Choctaw Native American tribe. In this cross curriculum literacy and U.S. history lesson, students locate where the Choctaw Indians lived on a United States map. Students listen to When Turtle Grew Feathers and...
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The Art of Jewelry
Learners discover Native American culture through jewelry. In this Native American culture lesson, students investigate several different Native American tribes and complete a word search activity. Learners create their own jewelry...
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Legends Old and New
Students listen to a Native American legend and discuss the basic elements of story. In small groups they read and analyze more legends from books and Websites. Then they compose and present an original legend.