SOME IDEAS FOR YOUR INTERDISCIPLINARY UNIT • BE CAREFUL. Many books carry hidden stereotypes, especially if written by non-Native authors. Look for sensitivity and authenticity and take a pass on books that: Talk about Native people in the past tense Use Indian-sounding-hyphenated names (“Heart-of-the-Wind”) Portray Indians as objects or things Have characters speaking in subhuman grunts or partial sentences QUESTIONS? Consult https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com, Nambe Pueblo Debbie Reese’s reviews of books and links to other essential sites.
READ-ALOUD There are some wonderful Native authors and some amazing books perfect for read-aloud. One of my favorite series is by Louise Erdrich. Start with the Birchbark House and keep going! Your students will experience a full range of emotions and absorb a lot of Ojibwe history and culture without realizing it.
CREATION STORIES Find some local Native Creation Stories to share at the beginning of the year. Analyze their similarities and difference or compare to those of other cultures.
SOME IDEAS FOR YOUR INTERDISCIPLINARY UNIT • Literature—creation stories; books by Native Authors for read aloud and classroom library, reading groups, non-fiction books for research, and book reports; Native author research; analyzing books for stereotypes. • Drama– Do some Readers’ Theatre around a Native-inspired play.
READER’S THEATRE Native author Joseph Bruchac has compiled some wonderful plays based on traditional stories from a number of cultural areas that are perfect for Elementary staging.
DON’T FORGET ABOUT FOOD! • The Three Sisters= succotash! • The many faces of corn • Something different—sunflower seeds, fiddlehead ferns, sassafras tea, cattail roots. • Pemmican! Tanka Bars or Bites • Make sure it’s appropriate to the cultural area you’re discussing!
AND INCLUDE THE ARTS • Native Music– powwow drum songs, flute and contemporary music. • Fine to make shakers to play along with music, but please don’t make or use drums!
AND INCLUDE THE ARTS • Native Music– powwow drum songs, flute and contemporary music. • Fine to make shakers to play along with music, but please don’t make or use drums! • Native Dance—show videos of traditional powwow dances and “specials” like the hoop dance. But prefer you don’t ask the children to duplicate—they’re sacred! • OK to do “intertribal” dances like the Friendship dance and the Round Dance.
ART ACTIVITIES TO AVOID (BECAUSE THEY HAVE RELIGIOUS OR SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE) • Drums • Pipes • Totem poles • Masks • War shields • Paper bag vests • Feathered headdresses
SOME IDEAS FOR YOUR INTERDISCIPLINARY UNIT • Writing—Writers workshop-your own creation story; research; Pen Pal with reservation children or Elders
APPROPRIATE ART ACTIVITIES TO TRY • Make sure it’s appropriate to the cultural area you’re studying • Make sure it’s age-appropriate • Tie it in with literature or a historical event
APPROPRIATE ART ACTIVITIES TO TRY • Clay pottery • Gourd or can shakers • Weaving • Dream catchers • Talking sticks • Corn husk dolls • beadwork
APPROPRIATE ART ACTIVITIES TO TRY • Ledger Art • Winter counts • Replicating the art of a Native artist such as George Littlechild
LOOKING AT A HISTORIC NATIVE CULTURE
LOOKING AT A HISTORIC NATIVE CULTURE
MINI- ETHNOGRAPHIES I created books about the Potawatomi on a variety of topics, illustrated by a Potawatomi artist from Michigan. Each book has its own “research sheet” that basically tests reading comprehension, and also has fun word searches and other word games to reinforce key vocabulary on the topic.
GO BEYOND THE DIORAMA! • Talk about treaties • Talk about relocation to reservations • Notable Native people • Bring in guest speakers, go on field trips • Analyze books for stereotypes • Talk to peers on reservations, record Elders’ oral histories • Engage in a community service project on a reservation
BOOKS ABOUT CONTEMPORARY NATIVE CHILDREN
BOOKS ABOUT CONTEMPORARY NATIVE CHILDREN
INCLUDE COLUMBUS DAY AND THANKSGIVING! • Make a “pre-Columbian visits to the Americas” material • Research the origins of the word “Thanksgiving” • Explore the Columbian Exchange • Investigate how these holidays came about • Go to my website, www.MINASIllinois.org for lesson plans and ideas
TIMING IS EVERYTHING!
TIMING IS EVERYTHING! • Traditional timing—between Columbus Day and Thanksgiving.
COLUMBUS DAY
COLUMBUS DAY BOOKS
PRE-COLUMBIAN VISITS TO THE AMERICAS I’ve made a book with a chronological look at the cultures who may have visited here before 1492 with matching cards on a Timeline and pictures of the evidence found.
THANKSGIVING FROM THE NATIVE PERSPECTIVE
RECOMMENDED THANKSGIVING BOOKS •
RECOMMENDED THANKSGIVING BOOKS
..AND SOME FOR ELEMENTARY READ ALOUD
TIMING IS EVERYTHING! • Traditional timing—between Columbus Day and Thanksgiving. Other segue options: • With Creation Stories and the Big Bang
CREATION STORIES Compilations like this are OK, but you can find the stories from individual tribes that have more details and are usually nicely illustrated!
TIMING IS EVERYTHING! • Traditional timing—between Columbus Day and Thanksgiving. Other segue options: • With Creation Stories and the Big Bang • With the study of North America
TIMING IS EVERYTHING! • Traditional timing—between Columbus Day and Thanksgiving. Other segue options: • With Creation Stories and the Big Bang • With the study of North America • With Fundamental Needs
TIMING IS EVERYTHING! • Traditional timing—between Columbus Day and Thanksgiving. Other segue options: • With Creation Stories and the Big Bang • With the study of North America • With Fundamental Needs
TIMING IS EVERYTHING! • Traditional timing—between Columbus Day and Thanksgiving. Other segue options: • With Creation Stories and the Big Bang • With the study of North America • With Fundamental Needs • Backtime to a culminating activity—like planting a Three Sisters garden!
MAKING IT ALL HAPPEN • Get your administration “on Board” with your plan
MAKING IT ALL HAPPEN • Get your administration “on Board” with your plan • Start working a year ahead of time so you’re not rushed
MAKING IT ALL HAPPEN • Get your administration “on Board” with your plan • Start working a year ahead of time so you’re not rushed • Pick up those curriculum resources and figure out what your focus is
MAKING IT ALL HAPPEN • Get your administration “on Board” with your plan • Start working a year ahead of time so you’re not rushed • Pick up those curriculum resources and figure out what your focus is • Start gathering artifacts for Touchboxes: Museum stores, Michael’s craft stores
MAKING IT ALL HAPPEN • Get your administration “on Board” with your plan • Start working a year ahead of time so you’re not rushed • Pick up those curriculum resources and figure out what your focus is • Start gathering artifacts for Touchboxes: Museum stores, Michael’s craft stores Online vendors for Native regalia and crafts Powwow vendors
MAKING IT ALL HAPPEN • Enlist the help of local Native communities for cultural presenters, field trips, or setting up pen pals or Elder interviews
MAKING IT ALL HAPPEN • Enlist the help of local Native communities for cultural presenters, field trips, or setting up pen pals or Elder interviews • And I’m here to help, too! I’ll be moving soon—best way to contact me is through email: potawproj@gmail.com or through my website, www.MINASIllinois.org
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