Native Americans Today: Resources and Activities for Educators, Grades 48

Literature and educational books about Native Americans frequently present stereotypical images or depict the people as they existed hundreds of years ago. Seeking to dispel misrepresentations, this book examines Native American culture as it exists today as well as its historical background. Reproducible activities, biographies of real people, and accurate background information help educators present a realistic and diverse picture of Native Americans in the twentieth century. With each lesson, the authors include a suggested grade level, materials list, objectives, readings, activities, enrichment extensions, and a list of resources for further study. Chapters cover ground rules, homes and environment, growing up and growing old, a day in the life, communications, arts, economics, and socio-political struggles. Appendixes contain oral history guidelines, global information sources, lists of Native media, and related Web sites.

Literature and educational books about Native Americans frequently present stereotypical images or depict the people as they existed hundreds of years ago. Seeking to dispel misrepresentations, this book examines Native American culture as it exists today as well as its historical background. Reproducible activities, biographies of real people, and accurate background information help educators present a realistic and diverse picture of Native Americans in the twentieth century. With each lesson, the authors include a suggested grade level, materials list, objectives, readings, activities, enrichment extensions, and a list of resources for further study. Chapters cover ground rules, homes and environment, growing up and growing old, a day in the life, communications, arts, economics, and socio-political struggles. Appendixes contain oral history guidelines, global information sources, lists of Native media, and related Web sites.

VOYA

Every fall, educators across North America seek out a crash course in Indian culture as they plan their Thanksgiving pageants. This guide asks educators to retire the Thanksgiving Indians, with their paper headbands and feathers, in favor of contemporary Native Americans and contemporary Native issues. Acknowledging that many of the resources available to schools are outdated, biased, and just plain racist, this unique guide is designed to help teachers introduce their students to a realistic understanding of Native American culture and history. This helpful resource covers a diverse range of high interest topics, such as ground rules for avoiding offensive words and stereotypes, homes and environment, growing up and growing old, communications, economics, the arts, and the continuing sociopolitical struggle for the survival of Native culture. Each lesson plan includes suggested grade level, materials, objectives, activities, ideas for enrichment, readings, and resources. The activities are provocative, original, and foster critical thinking skills. Most importantly, they teach students that Indians live in this century and do all kinds of different things. The book is supplemented by an extensive bibliography of electronic and print resources. Hirschfelder and Beamer have produced a collection of ready-to-use, self-contained lesson plans that would be invaluable for any elementary or middle school teacher planning a multicultural curriculum. Glossary. Index. Illus. Photos. Maps. Biblio. Source Notes. Further Reading. Appendix. 2000, Teachers Ideas Press, 260p, Oversize pb. Ages Adult. Reviewer: Vivian Howard SOURCE: VOYA, April 2001 (Vol. 24, No.1)

ARLENE HIRSCHFELDER is an award-winning author and educational consultant specializing in Native American Studies.

YVONNE BEAMER, a multicultural consultant and curriculum developer, also works as an advocate and support person for American Indian families with "at risk" children.