Unit Plan
Partnership for Educating Colorado Students

Mayan Mathematics and Architecture

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
Take young scholars on a trip through history with this unit on the mathematics and architecture of the Mayan civilization. Starting with a introduction to their base twenty number system and the symbols they used, this eight-lesson unit...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Indian Reservation Haiku Poem

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine and write about the relocation of Native Americans to Indian reservations. They view and discuss primary source photographs, brainstorm for details and emotions in a small group, and write a Haiku poem about the...
Lesson Plan
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Ceremony

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students complete multiple lessons to identify the human rights and social justice for Native Americans. In this human rights lesson, students complete fifty one days of activities to a lesson titled "Ceremony" about the Native...
Lesson Plan
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The Four Sacred Elements

For Teachers 4th
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...
Lesson Plan
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Imagen e ldentidad/Image and Identity: Multiple Voices, Violations and Victories

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers spend a year involved in a project researching the diversity of Native Americans.
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Centennial: Home Sweet Home

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the various types of homes made by Native Americans. In groups, they compare and contrast their homes to those of the Native Americans and discuss how homes reflect one's culture. To end the lesson, they read...
Lesson Plan
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The Night Chanter Project

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students sketch a design based on "The Night Chanter." For this art design lesson, students listen to the Native American prayer, "The Night Chanter" and illustrate their personal vision of the chant. Students critique the sketches and...
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Weather/Climate

For Teachers K - 12th
Students examine traditional Native American weather/climate knowledge. They keep a weather journal and research cloud cover.
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Lewis and Clark Encounters with Native Americans

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers research what the exchange was between the various Native American groups and Lewis and Clark. They are able to write reflections after truly considering the issue with the help of research.
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Mini Masks: Ceramics

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Masks have been used for many reasons throughout human history. They are also great subjects for art projects! Included here are instructions, background information, and all the supplies needed to create mini masks in your class. 
Study Guide
Reed Novel Studies

Little House On The Prairie: Novel Study

For Teachers 4th - 6th Standards
Laura Ingalls Wilder memorialized life in the American West with her Little House on the Prairie series. Readers explore the first book in the series using a novel study guide. Along with standard text-based questions, scholars...
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Native California Americans

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study the differences in the ways of life of five different Native California Tribes. They assess the use of technology, computers and the Internet as valuable investigation tools.
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American Indians' Loss of Gold

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine and discuss how the American Indians suffered the loss of their homelands, homes, and their way of life. They watch videos, read books and develop research projects on the struggles of the American Indians.
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Native American Sovereignty

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the meaning of Indian Sovereignty. They describe the authority of Indian governments as sovereign nations, and explain the importance of the Marshal Trilogy of Supreme Court cases between 1821-1832. They examine the...
Lesson Plan
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Andrew Jackson

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine the presidency of Andrew Jackson. Using the Internet, they research his decision to remove the Indians from their land and place them on reservations. They discuss the effects of the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
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Channel Islands Film

Once Upon a Time (Saxipak’a): Lesson Plan 4

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
How did the environment and natural resources found on the Channel islands influence the culture of the Chumash? Archaeology meets technology in an activity designed for middle schoolers. After viewing West of The West's documentary Once...
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Memorial Hall Museum

Dedham Deed

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Class members examine primary source documents that expose the contrasting views of land ownership between the Pocumtuck and English settlers.
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Expression: Masks - Activity 1

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students create art plans for an "installation" after viewing a video of Native American mask making that centers around the Salmon rack idea. Emphasis is placed on collaborative work in this introductory lesson plan.
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Common Visions, Common Voices

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze common recurring motifs and themes found in literature and artwork from various cultures. They research and report of the "trickster" motif found in Native american, Mayan, and Ethiopian cultures.
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Indians of the Plains

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders, in groups, explore the Plains Indians and explore how the physical climate of the Plains region affected their lives.
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Jewelry: Then and Now

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders identify specific works of art as belonging to particular cultures, times, & places, recognize & apply elements of art, learn techniques for working with each material, critique artwork, & discuss how artwork...
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Tin Relief

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students create a sun tin relief sculpture. In this Mexican art lesson, students incorporate line and form into a relief sculpture that they create of the sun.
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First Nations Contributions

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate the 6 nations of the First Nations. In this native studies lesson, 8th graders research the 6 nations in the confederacy and their contributions to society. Students create displays featuring the their findings...
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Role Models - Grade 8

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders research Elders as role models. In this native studies lesson, 8th graders select Elders of the First Nations and research their contributions to society. Students create posters featuring the their findings and present...