Native Americans Today: Resources and Activities for Educators, Grades 4-8

by Arlene Hirschfelder, Yvonne Beamer

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781563086946
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	01/15/2000
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.56(d)
Age Range:	9 - 13 Years

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
U.S. Indian Lands and Communities
Chapter 1—BASIC GROUND RULES
Lesson 1.1. Terminology: American Indians or Native Americans?
Lesson 1.2. Terminology: Eskimo or Inuit?
Lesson 1.3. Terminology: S-word
Lesson 1.4. Stereotypes in General
Lesson 1.5. Past-Tense Stereotyping
Lesson 1.6. Anachronisms
Lesson 1.7. Sovereignty
Chapter 2—WHERE WE LIVE
Lesson 2.1. Where We Live
Lesson 2.2. Tribal Names
Lesson 2.3. Place Names
Chapter 3—GROWING UP, GROWING OLD: A FEW EVENTS ALONG THE WAY
Lesson 3.1. Personal Naming Traditions
Lesson 3.2. Adolescents
Lesson 3.3. Adolescents, Different and Alike: Teen Problems Today
Lesson 3.4. Adults
Lesson 3.5. Elders
Chapter 4—A DAY IN THE LIFE
Lesson 4.1. Hogans: Navajo Dwellings
Lesson 4.2. Clothing
Lesson 4.3. Seminole-Miccosukee Patchwork Clothing
Lesson 4.4. Eagle Feathers
Lesson 4.5. Feathered Headdresses of the Plains Nations
Lesson 4.6. Food
Lesson 4.7. Recreation/Sports
Lesson 4.8. Powwows
Lesson 4.9. Giveaways
Chapter 5—LET'S TALK: COMMUNICATIONS
Lesson 5.1. Native Press
Lesson 5.2. Native Radio Broadcasting
Lesson 5.3. Native Television Reporters
Chapter 6—WALK IN BEAUTY: ARTS
Lesson 6.1. Written Arts
Lesson 6.2. Visual Arts
Contemporary Native American Dolls
Contemporary-Style Native American Pouches
First Nation Artists
Lesson 6.3. Performing Arts
Chapter 7—PAYING THE BILLS: ECONOMICS
Lesson 7.1. Indians in Careers/Employment
Lesson 7.2. Indian-Owned Companies
Lesson 7.3. Tourism and Gaming
Chapter 8—THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES
Lesson 8.1. Native Language Recovery
Lesson 8.2. Burial Ground Desecration and Repatriation
Lesson 8.3. Sacred Objects and Repatriation
Lesson 8.4. Sacred Sites
Lesson 8.5. Team Names, Mascots, and Logos
Appendix A Oral History Guidelines
Appendix B Global Information Sources
Appendix C National Native News Radio Stations
Appendix D Web Sites
Resources
American Indian Curriculum Units or Sources
Audiovisual Resources
Catalogs of Native American Books
Periodicals
Bibliography
Books for Students and Teachers
Contemporary Art Books
Photography Books
Glossary
Index

Editorial Reviews

Designed for teachers in grades 4-8 who are planning a unit on multicultural or Native American topics, this guide provides reproducible activities as well as useful biographical and background information to dispel myths and teach more accurately about how American Indians live today. Hirschfelder, an educational consultant specializing in Native American Studies, and Beamer, a multicultural consultant and curriculum developer, have included lists of information sources, including radio, book, periodical, and Internet resources, as well as topically organized units that explain issues such as where and how Native Americans live, economics, art, and multicultural understanding. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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