Eighth graders investigate the disappearance of buffalo. They conduct research into the uses of buffalo by the Native Americans. There are resource links included in this lesson. They answer specific questions to help guide the research...

Students study the buffalo. They watch a video and read a story about the buffalo and what it meant to Native American Indian tribes. They practice naming the parts of buffalo in Lakota.

Fourth graders observe the Four Sacred Elements image in PowerPoint as projected on a screen and discuss what they see and then summarize the details. They discuss what the image represents and how the Four Sacred Elements are an...

Students create a Sacagawea-inspired wampum belt. In this Native-American lesson, students study Sacagawea and her influence on the Lewis and Clark expedition. Students learn about wampum and prized possessions and work in groups to...

Students explore how predators help control the growth of prey species for a more balanced ecosystem.

Students simulate the research process of investigating a shipwreck. In small groups, they conduct Internet research, and develop and write a proposal for excavation of the archaeological site.

Eighth graders examine the cultural conflicts that occurred when Europeans moved into the land the Native Americans lived on that would become West Virginia. In this West Virginia history instructional activity, 8th graders visit the...

Young scholars examine the relationship between Native Americans and those who settled the Iowa territory. In this Iowa history lesson, students investigate the process for settling the territory and how intercultural relationships...

In this North Dakota prehistory activity activity, students study the mastodon, bison, native plants, and native people of North Dakota as they respond to 21 drawing, graphic organizer and matching questions.

Eleventh graders study the history of immigration from 1850 to the present.  For this American History lesson, 11th graders compare the 1924 and 1965 immigration acts and give a reasoned opinion on each.  Students research,...

Students examine traditional Native American weather/climate knowledge. They keep a weather journal and research cloud cover.

Students examine the importance of the drum and drumming in the cultural context of the Native American. Musical insturments and native dance is employed to support the focus of the activity.

Students examine the issue of tribal sovereignty for Native Americans. Following a mock trial simulation based on the case of Johnson v. McIntosh, they write opinion papers based on the results of the Supreme Court decision in 1823.

Eighth graders investigate the concept of the trail system used by the Native Americans. They compare and contrast the trails to modern transportation roadways of today. Students also define the types of information archaeologists use to...

Fourth graders research the expedition of Lewis and Clark and the forts they lived in during their journey and the Native Americans they encountered. In pairs they conduct Internet research, complete a WebQuest, and write a research...

Students examine the Timken Native Americans of the 1400s and their culture of hunter-gatherers. They study the necessary vocabulary using a number of activities.

What was the most significant tool used by the Chumash? How did the environment make the tool possible? What group behaviors allowed the Chumash be be successful for thousands of years? After watching West of the West's documentary Once...

Young historians study the Supreme Court case "Worcester v. Georgia"  and note instances where the Justices defended the sovereign rights of the Cherokee. They also examine the actions of President Andrew Jackson and the...

The Navajo would disagree with Shakespeare that the naming of things is irrelevant. Navajo people have to earn their names. Middle schoolers learn about the cultural significance of Navajo names in a lesson that uses a video and reading...

Mind maps are great tools. Teach your classes how to use mind maps to collect, organize, and retain information with a lesson plan that asks learners to research the life of Sacagawea and use mind maps to record their findings.

The Reconstruction Treaties of 1866 and their impact on the Five Tribes in the United States Civil War are the focus of a lesson that asks young historians to consider how these treaties affected tribal sovereignty. Class members do a...

What are we really celebrating on Columbus Day? The resource explores the narrative behind Columbus Day and ways for people to change the perception. Scholars also review vocabulary terms associated with the topic and how attitudes have...

What's in a name? Historians consider the question as they examine places important to the Hopi people and the meanings of their place names. Included worksheets include maps and charts to help class members examine the geography of Hopi...

An interactive practice challenges scholars to read an informational text then answer 10 multiple-choice questions. The topic of the text is the Cherokee. The resource provides a report once the practice is completed.