Kindergarten Native American Lesson: Tuesday

Written by: ARobin • Edited by: Laurie Patsalides
Updated Oct 19, 2009 • Related Guides: Lesson Plans | Thanksgiving | Native Americans

This is an ongoing series of harvest lesson plans created for a kindergarten classroom. In this installment, the class will be learning about Thanksgiving, specifically about the Indian People. The children will learn about facts through games, math and language skills and art projects.

Tuesday

In today's portion of the harvest lesson plans, the class will continue to learn more Native American facts and take part in math and language skills as well as art projects and songs to teach them important facts.

Here are the list of things needed for today's lesson:

Photos of Native Americans and their homes.

Chart of symbols to illustrate pictures that Native Americans to communicate in writing.

Book, Indian Two Feet and His Eagle Feather by, Margaret Friskey

Large paper bags-1 for each child

Markers

beads in assorted colors

leather cord (for necklace)

Circle Time Discussion

Review facts about the Indian Nation.

Look at the map and teach children directions-North, South, East, West

Read the story, Indian Two Feet and His Eagle Feather by, Margaret Friskey.

Discuss the meaning of "brave".

Discuss that Native Americans used pictures to communicate in writing. (more will be discussed in Language Skills)

Art

Native American Vest

Prior to the project, cut the front of each paper bag for the vest opening.

Provide each child with a paper bag.

Instruct the children to decorate the paper bag with pictures, shapes and other creative designs.

While children are busy decorating their vests, go around to each one to measure the height of their arms. Cut holes in the sides of the bag to accommodate their arms.

Math Skills

This project will teach the children about patterns, enhance their fine motor skills, as well as their creative skills as they decorate a necklace.

Explain to the children that Native Americans are skilled craftsmen. That means that they are talented when making jewelry and weaving blankets. Today, the class will create a patterned necklace.

Provide each children with cording at least 15 inches long.

Provide each children with a variety of beads.

Instruct the children to count the beads and create a pattern with them.

Thread the beads on to the necklace in the designed pattern.

Language Skills

Discuss the symbols on the chart.

Give each child a piece of paper and a crayon or marker and instruct them to write a story using the pictures.

Encourage children to share their stories.

Songs

Indians and Pilgrims

(to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat")

Beat, beat, beat the drum.

Beat it loud and clear.

Tell the Indians everywhere,

That hunting time is near.

Cut, cut, cut the logs,

Make them long and short,

To help the Pilgrims build a house

A warm and friendly fort.

Brian Keith Apr 27, 2010 1:21 PM

What about starting with names?

I understand that it can be difficult and it is important to include as much important information as possible. How about including the names of the tribes that met with the pilgrims? Since this lesson is focused primarily around the arrival of the pilgrims would it be appropriate to focus our studies on the indian nations that were near Plymouth? This lesson could be about the life and history of those specific groups of people.

Janet Cuzzort Apr 26, 2010 4:11 PM

Native American studies

The point to me was that there is little information about the Native Americans put forth in a manner to make a good unit to teach about them. The culture of the Native Americans is more accurately stated as the cultures of Native Americans. Ideally, a start of teaching about them would begin in Kindergarten and each grade then could add upon and broaden the teaching on the subject. We also don't have a choice of not teaching a subject because its broad nature and lack of information makes it difficult.

Brian Keith Apr 23, 2010 1:02 PM

Teaching truth

This is not an issue of sensitivity it is one of accuracy. All the negative commentators believe this is about "offense" and "feelings" those also are not what this is about. What we need to answer is if we can effectively teach our children what they need to know? I would like to ask the instructors why they are trying to teach about a subject when they don't actually have time to explore it? If you want to concentrate on the Pilgrims, that's fine. It would be appropriate for Kindergarten learners. You don't need to try to to make it a lesson about "Native Americans" and try to teach about a subject that takes more time than you obviously have. When you have more time then tackle trying to teach about other cultures. Whatever culture it is the more time you devote to it the more chance you have of communicating what is unique about that particular culture.

Janet Cuzzort Nov 22, 2009 8:12 PM

The problem is finding authentic information at the kindergarten level that can fit into the small space of time we have for Social Studies. We teach the history of Pilgrims and of early American life, we need an interesting short version of Native American life that is true to the culture of Native Americans without offending. Otherwise, we do what we think best fits.

Liliana Nov 1, 2009 8:46 PM

get a life

get a life people! if you think about it, we were all taught this way growing up. That's what is wrong todya. Everyone is so worried about feelings!!!!

Anonymous Oct 31, 2009 10:36 AM

an abysmal comment

This is the type of hyper-sensitivity that our country is suffering from- you can't BREATHE without worrying that you have offended someone. Did Indians make jewelry and weave blankets? Did they cut logs to make boats and homes? Do they have symbols and designs unique to their culture? How is teaching children the meaning of the word "brave" in association with Native Americans "abysmal?"

Barbara Munson Jun 24, 2009 3:20 PM

An abysmal lesson plan

It is important to teach accurate and authentic information about American Indian cultures. This is an example of the worst kind of teaching. It promulgates stereotypes and invites children to play act at being from a different culture. Send the teacher to the American Indian Studies Summer Institute sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for remediation!!!