Native American Studies Model Curriculum 
Grades 6-8 Introduction

The 6th–8th grade Native American Studies curriculum offers students a meaningful opportunity to engage with Native perspectives through inquiry, reflection, and creativity. These lessons are designed to deepen students’ understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures, and contemporary issues while also supporting critical thinking and social-emotional literacy. Students are invited to examine how Native peoples have maintained strong cultural identities, relationships with the land, and artistic expression across time—despite centuries of systemic oppression and violence.

Each lesson is approximately 45–60 minutes long and is designed to integrate seamlessly with History–Social Science, Visual and Performing Arts, English Language Arts, and Math standards. Lessons are organized into three formats: full Units (more than five lessons, identified with an asterisk), Mini-Units (two to five lessons), and Single Lessons that can be taught independently. This structure gives educators the flexibility to implement the curriculum as a cohesive unit or to weave individual lessons into existing courses.

Themes explored in the 6th–8th grade span include California Native artists and art integrated lessons, land stewardship, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and relationships with plants, animals, and place. Students examine the significance of Native Food Sovereignty, Tribal language, art, and story are vital to cultural continuity and identity. Lessons engage students with complex historical and civic topics such as California Genocide of Indigenous Peoples —topics that are approached with historical accuracy and cultural respect, centering Indigenous voices and lived experiences.

This curriculum emphasizes the importance of understanding Native American identities in both historical and contemporary contexts. Through lessons grounded in regional Tribal perspectives, students explore what it means to be in relationship—with land, with community, and with self—and are encouraged to reflect on these connections in their own lives. Art, poetry, storytelling, and observation-based learning are used throughout to deepen engagement and foster empathy.

Although the curriculum is organized by grade level, educators are encouraged to explore lessons across grade spans. Many lessons are adaptable and offer rich opportunities to bring in additional regional Tribal representation and to support diverse classroom needs.

We invite you to begin your learning journey by watching two videos, Native California History, a profound truth-telling video featuring Guiding Leaders of the Native American Studies Model Curriculum and We Are Still Here, a powerful video uplifting Native youth voices, produced by Wiyot filmmaker Michelle Hernandez and Richie Wenzler.