Although you could study Native Americans at any time of the year, fall is an especially appropriate time for a Native American unit study. Various states and regions celebrate Native American Day (or Indigenous Peoples’ Day) in the fall.
Today is Columbus Day for many people, although I think of it now as Native American Day. I grew up in South Dakota, and my husband and I lived in South Dakota when our children were little. Since 1990, South Dakota has observed Native American Day instead of Columbus Day on the second Monday of October. Berkeley, California, celebrates Indigenous People’s Day on the second Monday of October.
Native American Day is also a state holiday in California on the fourth Friday of September. The fourth Monday in September is American Indian Day in Tennessee. November is Native American Heritage Month.
In honor of Native American Day today, I’d like to share some Montessori-inspired Native American resources from around the blogosphere.
Montessori-Inspired Native American Activities
Free Native American Homes from Montessori for Everyone
Native American Object Tray (Photo from Inspired Montessori and Arts at Dundee Montessori)
Native American posts from Inspired Montessori and Arts at Dundee Montessori (Photo from Native American Object Trays for Cultural Studies)
Series of Native American Unit YouTube videos from Inspired Montessori’s YouTube Channel (The link is still good even if it’s crossed out.)
Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message from The Work Plan
Native American Small World and Sensory Play (Photo from Crayon Box Chronicles)
Native American Small World and Drum Craft from Crayon Box Chronicles
Montessori Continent Boxes (my post with resources for continent boxes from around the blogosphere)
Native American Dolls (Photo from Making Montessori Ours)
North American Continent Box from Making Montessori Ours
Native American Seed Bead Loom Strips (Photo from Hands On Homeschooler)
Native American Seed Bead Loom Strips from The Hands-On Homeschooler (blog no longer available)
Creating the Trail of Tears Map (Photo from We Don’t Need No Education)
Creating a Map of the Trail of Tears (Photo) and Creating a Native American Themed Story from We Don’t Need No Education
Free Inuit Printables and Montessori-Inspired Inuit Activities
General Montessori-Inspired History and Geography Resources
Montessori Cultural Geography and History – From Birth to Age Twelve from Michael Olaf
Amazon Affiliate:
Native American Books for Kids
Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy!
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Appreciate the many excellent posts on this blog. For this unit, how about more authentic, experiential activities like making clay pots, making and dyeing bracelets, sewing a medicine bag, building an outdoor shelter rather than a mini diorama, planting a three sisters garden, grinding corn, cooking a traditional meal, identifying plants and their uses, digging in a simulated artifact excavation pit filled with stone, bone and shells.. Allow the students to setup their own village and truly get their hands on the content.
I can not wait to use this unit for my son he is going to love it.
This is a great compilation of Native American activities, resources, and learning fun. Thank you for sharing and for linking up this week to the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop.
Thank you, Deb, for including me in the Native American post. I have been teaching this unit for decades and teachers can see more ideas here:
http://inspiredmontessori.blogspot.com/search/label/Indians
It is one of my favorite units to teach!
Carolyn
Great round-up! I can’t wait to use several of the ideas shown here when we decide to start our unit.
Love, love your roundups! Thanks for sharing this one at After School!
I’ve decided to celebrate Native Americans today as well. Maybe someday we can officially change the holiday 🙂
Thanks for your comment, Yogamama. I think that would be a great change. 🙂
We are about to start our Native North American Unit so this is great timing!! I love the labeled object tray, and my guys will love the sensory mini environment. Thank you so much for including us in this post:)
Thanks, Cherine! I’m glad the timing is right. And I always enjoy featuring your awesome posts. 🙂
I love the hands on Indian village.
Thanks for your comment. That’s awesome, isn’t it?! 🙂