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Plains Indians

For Teachers 1st
First graders create a KWL chart on Native Americans and listen to a speaker from a local Indian Reservation. As a class, they are read part of a Native American story in which they pick their own Native American name and identify their...
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Sacajawea

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate the challenges Sacajawea faced when communicating. They examine ways of communicating using gestures as the Native Americans did. They identify how the Native Americans used natural resources when meeting their...
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Lewis and Clark and Native Americans, Part I

For Teachers All
Students will identify the structure of the Dakota Nation including the Seven Council Fires, explore the relationship between the Corps of Discovery and the Lakota and examine the conflict between the two parties from varied points of view.
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Impact of Westward Expansion on Indigenous Populations

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study the impact of westward expansion on Native American populations. They create a diorama of a Native American scene, write imaginary letters as a pioneer child reflecting on his/her experiences, and create story sticks that...
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This Land is My Land, That Land is Your Land!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars explore the Native American migrant experience in the United States. They define and describe reservation and the relationship between the U.S. Government and Native tribes through individual textbook research and class...
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Cabeza de Vaca Meets the Coahuiltecans

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine Cabeza de Vaca's journal and differentiate between primary and secondary sources. They, in groups, design posters that portray the culture of the Coahuiltecan Indians in Texas during the 16th century.
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GAURI AND PRITHVI: THE SUB-CONTINENT GOES NUCLEAR

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students write short papers on the background of the Pakistani missile called Gauri, named for one of the first Afghan military invaders of India in 11th century, Prithvi is named for Hindu general who fought Muslim invaders, Agni (Hindu...
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Create your own Parfleche!

For Teachers K - 5th
What is a parfleche? It is a box used by the Plains Indians to carry goods as they traveled. First, the class will discuss the uses of these highly ornate boxes and the nature of the Plains Indians' nomadic lifestyle. Then, the class...
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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...
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Indians in Georgia

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students investigate technology used by Native Americans by examining their creations.  In this Native American math lesson, students examine the overall area of Mississippian Indian mounds that were built hundreds of years ago....
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The Trial of Standing Bear

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students investigate the story of Standing Bear and his people as they defied the U.S. Governemt and returned to their homes in Omaha. Their arrest was followed by a trial which the Ponca people won.
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Native American Foods

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students explore Native American foods.  In this middle school mathematics lesson, students research the types of foods Native Americans across the country typically ate.  Students summarize a recipe in their own worlds. 
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Trails to the West

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders research American history of the 1850's. In this American history lesson plan, 8th graders write about how different American groups looked at the idea of Manifest Destiny. Students then draw the Oregon and Santa Fe...
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Native People of the Caribbean

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders use a map and locate and define the Caribbean region and then work in groups to read the passage and timeline. The groups' reader will read the passage aloud and the recorder makes a list of why colonists used slave...
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Days of '49: "I've Been Toiling Hard for the Last Two And a Half Years"

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students trace the stages of gold mining in California. They discuss the life of a gold miner and how the discovery of gold influenced towns and cities in California during the 1949 Gold Rush.
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The Cherokee Removal

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the issue of Cherokee removal from the perspectives of Andrew Jackson, members of Congress, and members of the Cherokee nation. They adopt the perspectives and engage in debate over the issue of Cherokee removal.
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The Adventure Begins: "Boys I Believe I Have Found a Gold Mine!"

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Pupils view and discuss historical documents regarding Native Americans and Californians prior to the gold rush in the 1940's. They complete a variety of activities designed to show what they have learned from these sources and class...
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European Expansion in America

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore human settlement in America - from the 1500s to about the turn of the 20th Century. They follow the relationships and changes beginning in the east, then head west to witness the final battles of this era.
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Pottery Making: The Coil Method

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students discuss the history of Native American pottery in North Carolina. They explore the coil method of making pottery and make their own creations implementing the coil method. They can allow the pots to dry or have them kiln-fired.
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Everything was up to date in 1628

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students view a video of Colonial House, a reality series where people lived according to the standards of European immigrants to the U.S. in 1628. In this colonial history lesson, students research changes in geographic areas over time...
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Nomad Land

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars explore the migratory movements of animals as they monitor their own movements throughout the school day. Climatic and feeding conditions are examined as cues for the movement.
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Tapokadooa: How the Dawes Act Affected Northern Paiute Children's Lives

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students investigate the Dawes Act and understand its effects on the Paiute Indians. In this Paiute lesson, students recognize that many Native Americans lost their land and money after the Dawes Act. Students dissect a worksheet for...
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Cornplanter and the Fate of His Land

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Young scholars explore Chief Cornplanter and his importance as the leader of the Seneca tribe.  In this Chief Cornplanter lesson, students examine how the Seneca land was taken over by the right of eminent domain.  Young...
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HIV/AIDS in Our Spanish-Speaking Community and the World

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study the HIV virus and how it has impacted the hispanic community.  In this infectious disease lesson students discover how HIV/Aids is found all over the world, what misconceptions are out there and what kinds of...