Curated OER
Petroglyphs: Protecting the Past
Fourth graders investigate the three types of rocks and study about petroglyphs. They explore why petroglyphs were used by the Nez Perce People. Students investigate the properties of the three types of rocks and they discuss cultural...
Curated OER
Storytelling
Students discuss how they know certain aspects about their families and customs. As a class, they discover that life changes over time and stories are only preserved if they are told. They read many different pieces of literature to...
Curated OER
Interview With A Legend
Eighth graders investigate how Language Arts and Social Studies can be integrated in the curriculum. They conduct research about a famous person in history. Then students use the information to write a report for the class. Then students...
Curated OER
Athabaskan Migration & Bering Strait
Students examine the various migration patterns of the Athabaskan. In groups, they discuss the Bering Strait Land Bridge theory of migration and take notes on a lecture from their teacher. To end the lesson, they brainstorm the...
Curated OER
Heritage Hunt
In this history scavenger hunt worksheet, students respond to 17 fill in the blank, short answer and drawing questions in an effort to help them better understand the information that can be found at the North Dakota Heritage Center.
Curated OER
Spring: Giving Thanks to the Herring
Students study the Wampanoag tribe to learn about the importance of the herring to their culture. In this Wampanoag lesson, students read information and complete multiple activities to learn about the role of the herring fish in the...
Curated OER
Rock Art
First graders create and share their own rock art based on Navajo and Hawaiian rock art.
Other
Milwaukee Public Museum: Indian Country: Oral Tradition
The Milwaukee Public Museum provides this introduction to the Native American oral tradition and oral literature of the Great Lakes region. Describes common themes and characters, including trickster characters and windingo (ice...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Native Voices
This unit features the rich oral tradition of Native Americans storytelling in various genres predating the introduction and influence of English writings, bringing three contemporary authors to light. RI.11-12.8 seminal U.S. texts,...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: American Colonial Literature: Native American Myths
This lesson focuses on Native American myths including the creation myth "The Earth on Turtle's Back." It includes links to the above myth, a self-assessment quiz, and an assignment for a mini-report over a Native American tribe.
Other
Native American Indian Legends: Origin of the Saguaro and Palo Verde Cacti: A Pi
A Native American Pima legend on how the saguaro and palo verde cacti came into existence. With links to other Native American legends, artwork, photographs, articles, and more.
PBS
Pbs: Using Supporting Evidence to Interpret Meaning a Native American Folktale
In this lesson, students will watch a video clip with a Native American storyteller telling a traditional story. Students will use supporting evidence from the story to give meaning to oral and written texts.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Early American and Colonial Period to 1776
Background information about the literary traditions of the pre-Colonial and Colonial period. Includes information about Native American oral traditions and Native American cultures. Follow the links to the Early American era and to...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: N. Scott Momaday
Relying on many elements, including traditional Native American and European American traditions, this biography features the rich literary contributions of N. Scott Momaday. See "N.Scott Momaday Activities" for more resources.
HotChalk
Hot Chalk: Lesson Plans Page: Native American Legends
A lesson plan for teaching Native American Legends. Well-designed, and applicable to any legend which you might choose to read.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: American Masters Collection: N. Scott Momaday
This is a collection of three video lessons from N. Scott Momaday about Kiowa Native American stories, storytelling, and their oral traditions.
Other
Canku Ota: Newsletter Celebrating Native America
Children of all ages will enjoy reading these authentic Native American legends. Be sure to click on "kids pages" to read other stories written by students!
American Indian Heritage Foundation
Native American Eagle Stories
From several Native American tribes come these stories of Eagle. Values of the culture are preserved in the retelling of these stories that show Eagle's value and symbolism for the Native Americans.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Native Voices: Ghost Dance Songs
A Native American Paiute man known as Wovoka, after seeing a vision, started the Ghost Dance religion which had many songs to carry on its oral tradition. Click on the tab "Ghost Dance Songs Activities" to explore activities and photos.
PBS
Mpr: The Meaning of Sioux Music and Song
This site from the Minnesota Public Radio provides the text of a 1915 article written by musician and self-trained anthropologist, Frances Densmore. Densmore spent years studying the music and culture of the Teton Sioux and other native...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Native Voices: Black Elk
Sioux visionary and leader, Black Elk, and his aide to writing Black Elk Speaks, poet John D. Niehardt, are featured in this lesson with regard to the concept of oral tradition in American and Native American writing. Click on "Black Elk...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Native Voices, Chippewa Songs
Study the great oral tradition of the Chippewa Tribe in the Great Lakes regions through their music collected by Frances Densmore. For classroom activities and lesson enhancements click on the link, "Chippewa Songs Activities."
University of Richmond
University of Richmond: Rewriting Ethnography
A literary review and criticism concerning the book "Ceremony" by Leslie Marmon Silko. Analyzes the Laguna oral tradition and its presence in Silko's novel.
Other
Personal: Raven and the Man That Sits on the Tides
This is a Native American Raven tale from a Pacific Northwest tribe provided by Native American Storyteller, Barry McWilliams.