Lesson Plans

Anishinabe - Ojibwe - Chippewa: Culture of an Indian Nation -- This lesson, from EDSITEment, provides information and activities about one American Indian nation, the Anishinabe, called Ojibwe in Canada and Chippewa in the U.S.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4

Campfire Stories with George Catlin: An Encounter of Two Cultures -- takes students on a virtual journey with the artist and ethnologist to meet Native Americans of the 1830s.

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month -- This page from EDSITEment features resources relating to Native American Heritage Month, and presents information and activities about the culture and art of the first Americans.
Subject(s): Arts, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

From Native Americans to the New Millennium -- This TechTour guides students through a learning experience in which they investigate various aspects of Native American culture including shelter, recreation, religion, food and clothing.

In Diggity Diggity Indigenous -- What do you know about indigenous people, or Native Americans, in the United States of America? We have studied our nation's history from the perspective of our colonial forefathers, fighting for their independence from the British. But what about the Native Americans' fight for survival during this time period?
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 7

Make a Wampum Belt -- In this lesson, from ARTSEDGE, students learn about the cultural and visual art traditions of coastal American Indian tribes. They discuss the Native American barter system of economics and explore wampum as a form of exchange.

Moccasins Are Made for Dancing -- In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from ARTSEDGE, students read either of Tomie DePaola's versions of two Native American legends: "The Legend of the Bluebonnet" or "The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush."

Myth and Truth: "The First Thanksgiving" -- By exploring myths surrounding the Wampanoag, the Pilgrims, and the "First Thanksgiving," this lesson from ReadWriteThink asks students to think critically about commonly believed myths regarding the Wampanoag Indians in colonial America.
Subject(s): Language Arts, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 6, 7, 8

Native American Chants and Movement -- This lesson, from ARTSEDGE, challenges students to create expressive movements inspired by traditional Native American chants and poetry.

Not "Indians," Many Tribes: Native American Diversity -- In this unit of five lessons, from EDSITEment, students heighten their awareness of Native American diversity as they learn about three vastly different Native groups in a game-like activity using archival documents such as vintage photographs.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 3, 4, 5

Traditions and Languages of Three Native Cultures: Tlingit, Lakota, and Cherokee -- In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students learn about the environment, history, language, and culture of the Tlingit, Lakota, and Cherokee. They explore the meaning of cultural traditions and how they are maintained.

What Was Columbus Thinking? -- In this unit of eight lessons, from EDSITEment, students read excerpts from Christopher Columbus's letters and journals, as well as recent considerations of his achievements. Students reflect on the motivations behind Columbus's explorations.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 3, 4, 5

Writing Myths -- In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from ARTSEDGE, students explore the way myths help explain nature and science. Students read a Native American myth entitled "Giants and Mosquitoes" then analyze the myth and relate it to other creation stories.

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Activities

Exploring the Chesapeake (Chesepiooc) -- Before the colonists arrived in Maryland, the Chesapeake Bay was called Chesepiooc by the Native American tribes in the area.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

First People of our Land -- Have you ever thought about the people who inhabited this continent before Christopher Columbus arrived?  The first people of North America were the Native Americans, divided into many unique tribes. 
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 5

Native American Powwow -- Bring your students to a Native American powwow and introduce them to the traditional music, dress and dance. In this activity, students examine both the technical and symbolic aspects of a powwow.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 5

Native American Storytelling -- Do you like to listen to stories? Stories are an important part of the Native American culture. In this activity, students will learn about the tradition of Native American storytelling.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 2, 3, 4, 5

Piscataway Indian Museum -- Introduce your class to the history of the Piscataway Native Americans, the native population that used to live in the Maryland and Delaware region.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 7

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Video Clips

Giving Thanks (RealVideo) -- The Native American "Thanksgiving Address" is a message of peace and giving thanks to the bounty of the Earth. Learn about it in this story based on the address.
Subject(s): Language ARts
Grade Level(s): K, 1, 2

Hiawatha (RealVideo) and (Windows Media) -- An excerpt from teh poem, focusuing on Hiawatha's childhood. Overlayed with authentic Native American music.
Subjects: Language Arts, Library Media, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Native Americans and Settlers (Windows Media) -- When Europeans first arrived in Maryland, they did not know how to survive in such unfamiliar surroundings. In this excerpt, learn how Native Americans taught colonists survival skills such as farming, making clothes, and catching wild game.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Piscataway Indian Museum (RealVideo) or (Windows Media) -- Natalie Proctor, co-founder of the Piscataway Indian Museum and the Native American Cultural Center, extends her heritage to others by providing educational tours, hands-on exhibits, and workshops about Native American art and culture.
Subject(s): Arts, Social Studies

Pow Wow (Real Video) or (Windows Media) -- A Native American Pow Wow is held annually at the Frederick County fairgrounds. The Pow Wow festival features colorful dancers who move to beating drums.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Sacred Symbols Sacred Trusts (Real Video) or (Windows Media) -- Native American heritage and culture is celebrated through traditional dancing. Learn the importance of eagles to this tradition as you watch a family preparing their son’s bustle.
Subject(s): Arts
Grade Level(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

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Tech Tour

From Native Americans to the New Millennium -- This TechTour guides students through a learning experience in which they investigate various aspects of Native American culture including shelter, recreation, religion, food and clothing.

Native American Origins -- The purpose of this Tech Tour is to help students understand the relationship between the physical characteristics of a region and the culture of the people within that region.

Well, That Settles It! -- During this TechTour, students will research the differences and similarities between the settlers of the 13 colonies and the Native Americans who were already living in those regions.

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