K-12 Lessons Search

Timeline by Dr Keliiaa

National Policy: Indian Boarding Schools in California

This unit reviews a brief history of national Indian Boarding School policy and its effects locally in California with particular attention to Sherman Indian School in Riverside, CA. Students will engage in a Think – Pair – Share activity, will learn about the creation of the first off-reservation boarding school, and see a timeline of western and California-based schools. Students will hear first-hand accounts from federal officials and learn how boarding schools prioritized gendered labor. At the end of the lesson, students will define key terms and revisit essential questions. Lesson includes references to optional videos and additional materials and resources.

Photo © Stephanie Lumsden

Native Americans and Reproductive Justice

This lesson introduces students to the history of Indian Health Services in the U.S. as it relates to reproductive justice and the involuntary sterilization of Native women during the 1970s. This lesson supports students as they learn critical thinking skills by relating issues of health and wellness to colonization. This lesson also provides students with the chance to collaborate with one another to define key terms pertaining to the topic of reproductive justice. Essential Questions: What is reproductive justice and what is its relationship to Native American peoples? What is the history of the Indian Health Service? Why is reproductive justice an important concept for Native Americans and all people? Students will: Demonstrate their understanding of key terms by participating in a gallery walk activity with their classmates in small groups. Paraphrase important concepts by actively listening to the lecture. Reflect on the lesson and evaluate the significance of reproductive justice for Native Americans by completing the gallery walk handout. The teacher must: Understand that the historical context of reproductive health for Native peoples is essential to discussions of health and wellness. Be prepared to actively engage students’ personal experiences and family stories about sterilization, out adoptions, and general health.

Illustration by Meilan Solly © Smithsonian

Native Americans in Hollywood

Hollywood’s portrayal of Native Americans has long been intertwined with American politics and government policies, influencing national attitudes toward Indigenous peoples of North America. From the silent film era through the height of Cowboy and Indian Westerns, Hollywood shaped a narrow and damaging image of Native people. These films often depicted Native Americans as ignorant, lazy, violent, alcoholics, or savages, reinforcing harmful stereotypes. Such portrayals helped justify and support racist government policies including land dispossession, forced assimilation, cultural erasure, and even genocide. This racist foundation in the media was built on earlier political propaganda that framed Native Americans as obstacles to progress and civilization. Hollywood used humor and familiar storytelling to entertain audiences while dehumanizing Indigenous people and upholding white supremacy. The stereotypes created in these early films perpetuated racist propaganda from colonization, solidifying a negative public opinion and masked the harsh realities of U.S. policies against Native nations. Understanding this history is essential for students to recognize how the media can reinforce racism and shape social attitudes over time. This lesson invites students to critically analyze the power of film as a cultural force and to explore the importance of accurate and respectful representation of Native Americans in the media today. Through examining the origins of racist portrayals and their connections to political propaganda, students will learn to identify the damage caused by such misrepresentations. They will also have the opportunity to research authentic Native stories and consider how these narratives could be shared in ways that promote social justice and cultural respect.

Native Foods Unit

Native Food Experiences

In this lesson, students will examine Pomo perspectives on traditional Indigenous foods and settler-introduced foods.They will explore cultural norms surrounding food, reflect on the relationship between the environment, food, and community, and consider how food experiences shape identity and culture.

Native Foods Unit

Native Foods for Today’s World

This lesson introduces students to traditional Native foods of California, exploring their health benefits, cultural significance, and connection to food sovereignty. Students will examine how food practices have evolved due to historical changes and learn how Native communities are revitalizing traditional foodways to promote health, sustainability, and cultural pride.

Ella Williams Designing her 3D Diorama of a Traditional Miwok Home.

Native Homes: Sustainability and the Environment (3D Diorama)*

This ELA, Social Science and Environmental History lesson introduces students to architectural practices and knowledge of structure and design through dioramas. Native Youth will guide you by modeling the project. Your students will learn about Hoopa and Miwok structures and culture and then will research and complete their own project. This unit may take a few weeks, but it is worth it. It is a lot of fun and will provide a deep understanding of Native culture for your students if done correctly.

Greenville, CA (Mountain Maidu land) © Lowry

Native Origin Stories: I am my Ancestors' prayers

This lesson introduces Northeastern Indigenous cultures, pre-contact; including origin stories, resources, social structure, and connection to the environment. How can patterns of cause / effect manifest themselves in the core values of a culture? Which Native core values generalize into other cultures? What is different? Students will read and listen to origin stories, evaluate the cultural perspectives and creatively write their own story.

“My Open Spirit,” © Annalisa Berrios (2023)

Native Poetry, Art and Film: Voices of Northern and Southern California

This unit introduces students to several Native cultures of the far northern and southern regions of California. Varied cultural expressions and life experiences are explored through poetry, reflective essay, art and film. These works illustrate: Native people’s connections to their environment and the world; the significance of ceremony and “home”; trauma, healing and hope for the future. The complexity of identity, Indigenous methods of land stewardship and the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women are also addressed in multiple pieces. The teacher allows students to explore how these themes function throughout multiple works. Each work will be experienced to allow space for the expression of thoughts, feelings, and multiple interpretations. Students will closely examine the ways writers use structure, imagery, tone and cultural views to shape their work. As a culminating project, students will write poetry, a reflective essay, or create a visual art piece to express something culturally relevant to their experience. Technology, found objects and/or art supplies will assist the students in producing their work.

Native Ways of Knowing Mock Trial The People vs. Governor Peter Hardeman Burnett

Native Ways of Knowing Mock Trial: The People vs. Governor Peter Hardeman Burnett

This mock trial learning activity will allow students to question and consider California’s first governor, Peter Hardeman Burnett’s policies and treatment of Native Americans. This activity encourages students to analyze history critically and empathize with those impacted by injustice. This mock trial script is designed to engage students in critical thinking about history while fostering empathy and analytical skills. This activity encourages critical thinking, empathy, and a deeper understanding of history. This lesson plan integrates critical thinking, collaboration, and historical analysis, fostering a deeper understanding of California’s early governance and its consequences. This mock trial can be adapted based on the desired educational or dramatic focus, emphasizing historical facts, ethical dilemmas, and the broader implications of Burnett’s policies.

Native Ways of Knowing Mock Trial The People vs. Governor Peter Hardeman Burnett

Native Ways of Knowing Mock Trial: The People vs. Governor Peter Hardeman Burnett

This mock trial learning activity will allow students to question and consider California’s first governor, Peter Hardeman Burnett’s policies and treatment of Native Americans. This activity encourages students to analyze history critically and empathize with those impacted by injustice. This mock trial script is designed to engage students in critical thinking about history while fostering empathy and analytical skills. This activity encourages critical thinking, empathy, and a deeper understanding of history. This lesson plan integrates critical thinking, collaboration, and historical analysis, fostering a deeper understanding of California’s early governance and its consequences. This mock trial can be adapted based on the desired educational or dramatic focus, emphasizing historical facts, ethical dilemmas, and the broader implications of Burnett’s policies.

Cultural Connections with Grizzlies 4

New Conversations about Grizzlies

The lesson highlights the importance of grizzly bear conservation while centering California Native American perspectives, including insights from the Gabrieleno/Tongva tribe, to deepen understanding of Indigenous relationships with the land and wildlife stewardship. In this lesson, students will investigate the ecological role of grizzly bears and how human activity has affected their habitats and survival.

Nicole Mann, First Native Woman in Space. Photographed in full spacesuit.

Nicole Mann, First Native Woman in Space

This lesson introduces students to Nicole Mann (Wailaki) a Round Valley Indian Tribal member from Northern California and the first Native American woman to travel to space. Through a guided Google Slides presentation, students learn about Nicole’s background, education, training, and accomplishments as a U.S. Marine Corps pilot, mechanical engineer, and NASA astronaut. The lesson highlights her bravery, determination, and the cultural pride she brings to her role.

© Cheryl Tuttle

Nome Cult Walk

This lesson introduces students to the removal and relocation of California Natives in the 1800’s. Focusing on primary and secondary sources students will discover the background of California’s Trial of Tears, the Nome Cult Walk. Students will read a newspaper article and Forest Service flier, watch a video on the Walk, and listen to four interviews of individual Native people who participate in the commemorative Nome Cult Walk. Students will take notes as they read, listen, and watch and these notes will be used in a final assessment, as students write a short essay on their understanding of the historical circumstance Nome Cult Walk.

“Gambling Tray.” Photo Courtesy of Stephanie Lumsden

Northern California Indian Basketry

In this lesson students will be introduced to Northern California Indian basketry. The lesson covers the cultural, political and historical significance of basketry to California Indians in the northern part of the state. These lessons cover many of the cultural uses of basketry as well as the traditional ecological knowledge that is foundational to this world class artform. As part of the historical context necessary for understanding the significance of basketry, students will also learn about the violence that settler regimes of property and agribusiness have done to the land and the practice of basket weaving. While the lessons focus on Pomo and Ohlone perspectives and features photos of Hupa/Karuk/Yurok/Wiyot basketry, the main takeaways about basketry can also be applied to other tribal nations in northern California. The lesson covers 3 key terms, includes a 13 minute video and think, pair & share activity, and an in-class poetry reading activity paired with a large class discussion. The goal of this lesson is for students to begin to think of basketry not as a depoliticized art, but as a site of resistance and resurgence for California Indian peoples.

northern howl

Northern Howl, A Story of the Pup - Grade 3

This lesson exposes students to story-telling traditions of American Indian nations in the northwest California region, which strengthens student reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. This lesson features a short story written and illustrated by Teh-sa’a:n-xwe Cooper when he was 8 years old. The Northern Howl: A Story of the Pup is the first book of a three-books series.