Native American Studies Model Curriculum: Grades TK-2
This powerful video that uplifts Native youth voices was produced by Wiyot filmmaker Michelle Hernandez and Richie Wenzler.
This profound truth-telling video features Guiding Leaders of the Native American Studies Model Curriculum. Recommended for grades 4-12.
Introduction
This TK–2nd grade Native American Studies curriculum is designed to spark curiosity, connection, and meaningful learning for young students. Each lesson is approximately 45–60 minutes long and offers engaging, developmentally appropriate content that supports the integration of 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 used on their own. Across this grade span, common themes include: acorns and seasonal cycles, a thoughtful and inclusive Thanksgiving Toolkit, appreciation of plants, animals, and the land, history and origin stories shared by Tribal communities, and lessons featuring youth authors, artists, and Tribal language integration.
Many lessons also incorporate the arts as a way for students to express learning and connect with the content creatively.
Whether used as a full sequence or integrated flexibly into existing instruction, this curriculum offers rich opportunities to explore Native perspectives through interactive, story-based, and standards-aligned learning experiences. . .
Units* and Mini Units
* More than 5 lessons | 5 lessons or less
