Curriculum Resources:
Teachers of all levels need accurate, appropriate curriculum and materials about American Indians to use in the classroom or when providing other services. The curriculum materials and courses outlined here have been designed and developed through the Indian Education Program and the DPS Curriculum Department. Contact the Indian Education Office at 303-405-8171 to view the materials and check out a curriculum guide.
Denver Public Schools' American Indian Curriculum:
Pow wow Curriculum
This curriculum unit is designed for use with eighth (8th) graders, complete with activities, resources, and documented information for teachers and students. The lessons are all grounded in District Standards and are easily modified for younger or older students.
Denver March Pow*wow
www.denvermarchpowwow.org
The following link gives a description of the powwow taken from the Powwow: Dancing the Circle curriculum.
Powwow description
Click on the link title to open. Click the back button to return to the web-site when ready.
American Indians in Colorado: Snapshots in Time
This curriculum study unit was written and developed by the Indian Education Program for Social Studies, Grade 4. The implementation time is approximately 4-6 weeks. The unit seeks to help youth understand that history has many perspectives. Historical events are complex and confusing with multiple causes and outcomes. Diversity is strength, and the future well-being of Colorado requires the wisdom and contributions of all its people. The study unit provides teachers with a culturally and historically accurate and educationally sound curriculum that introduces the history of American Indian people in Colorado. The kit includes maps, books, videos, audio tapes, and other educational and learning guides.
Lesson Plans
The following sample lesson plans are from American Indians in Colorado: Snapshots in Time.
Click on the link to open the lesson. Click the back button to return to the web-site when ready.
Indian ed lesson 1
Indian ed lesson 5
Thanksgiving: A Resource for Elementary Teachers
This curriculum, complete with activities, lesson plans, resources, and bibilography, provides an American Indian perspective of the Thanksgiving holiday. The resource offers some ideas for introducing Thanksgiving into the classroom with accuracy and appropriateness. Units vary from the Contributions of American Indians to Harvest Celebrations.
American Indian History
This high school level American History course focuses on the history of American Indian tribes and the United States. The course is a one semester course for juniors and seniors and satisfies an American History credit. The course syllabus is available at the Indian Education Office. The course is generally offered in the Spring Semester at East High School.
American Indian Anthropology
This is a one semester course for high school age students. This course is taught at East High School in conjunction with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. The course syllabus is available at the Indian Education Office.
Lakota Language and Culture
This is a one sememster course for high school age students taught at East High School. Students learn the basic alphabet, pronunciation, vocabulary, sentence structure, and cultural aspects of the Lakota language. Issues regarding the importance of preserving the language are addressed. The course syllabus is available at the Indian Education Office.
"We are sitting on our blessed Mother Earth
from which we get our strength and determination,
love and humility....
All the beautiful attributes that we have been given.
So turn to one another, love one another,
respect one another, respect Mother earth, respect the waters...
because that's life itself!"
Resources for Teachers Teaching About American Indians:
American Indians in Colorado: Snapshots in Time
The following is a list of books selected from the American Indians in Colorado: Snapshots in Time curriculum. They are organized by elementary, middle, and high school levels.
Elementary:
Bunting, E. (1995). Cheyenne again. New York, NY: Clarion.
Bruchac, J. (2002). Seasons of the Circle a Native American Year.
Singapore: Bridge Water Books.
Hobbs, W. (1997). Beardream. New York, NY: Atheneum.
Korman, S. (1998). Horse Raid: An Arapaho Camp in the 1800s.
Norwalk, CT: Soundprints and the Smithsonian Institution.
Middle School:
Finley , M. P. (1999). Little Fox's secret: The mystery of Bent's Fort.
Palmer Lake, CO: Filter Press
Shuter, J. (2000) Mesa Verde. Chicago, IL: Heinemann Libray.
Terry, M. B. H. (1999) Daily Life in a Plains Indian Village 1868.
NewYork, NY: Clarion.
High School:
Arnold, C. (1992). The Ancient Cliff Dwellers of Mesa Verde. New York, NY: Clarion.
Hobbs, W. (1993). Beardance. New York, NY: Atheneum.
Hobbs, W. (1989). Bearstone. New York, NY: Atheneum.
Pettit, J. (1990). Utes: The Mountain People. Boulder, CO: Johnson.
