Welcome to the Fourth Grade Native American Studies Curriculum

The 4th grade Native American Studies curriculum offers a vital opportunity to reframe the way California history is taught. These lessons are designed to humanize Native experiences and challenge the longstanding misrepresentations found in traditional approaches to California’s colonial past. Rather than centering narratives of cultural erasure, this curriculum uplifts the voices, knowledge systems, and ongoing presence of California Native peoples—presenting them as thriving, resilient communities with deep connections to land, language, and culture.

Students engage with content through inquiry, creativity, and critical thinking. Each lesson is approximately 45–60 minutes long and supports integration across 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 flexible structure allows educators to use the curriculum as a full sequence or to incorporate individual lessons into existing instruction.

Fourth grade themes are deeply connected to California’s history and Native presence. Lessons explore Tribal homelands prior to statehood, the lived experiences of California Indians during the Mission Era, and the lasting impact of the Gold Rush on Native communities. Students also learn about the story of Ishi and current-day issues around repatriation, as well as broader themes of colonization, devastation, and the continued resilience of Tribal Nations. Other topics include Indigenous land stewardship and land relationships, Tribal language integration and land acknowledgements.

Throughout the curriculum, students encounter culturally grounded learning through storytelling, language, and artistic expression. Lessons are informed by regional Tribal perspectives, offering a more accurate, inclusive, and present-day understanding of California Native communities.

Although organized by grade level, educators are encouraged to explore across grade bands. Many lessons can be adapted to suit different classroom needs and provide opportunities to expand regional representation of Native voices and histories.

*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.