Free Native American Educational Resources And Digital Content

The availability of free resources related to Native American culture, history, and education has expanded significantly in recent years. These resources range from printable educational materials and digital content to specialized free trials of services featuring Native American themes. This article explores the various free resources available for those interested in Native American studies, including educational materials, digital content, and specialized programs.

Educational Printables and Activities

Numerous free printables and activities are available for educators, parents, and students interested in learning about Native American cultures and history. These resources vary in complexity and target different age groups, making them suitable for various educational settings.

Printable Learning Materials

Several websites offer free printables specifically designed for teaching about Native Americans. These materials often include nomenclature cards, 3-part cards, and geographic activities that help students learn about different Native American tribes and regions.

• Native American Nomenclature Cards are available as subscriber-only freebies on certain educational websites. To obtain these materials, interested individuals typically need to subscribe to a newsletter by clicking a link, confirming their subscription via email, and then accessing the printables through a dedicated library section.

• Native American Indian Home 3-Part Cards are freely available through Montessori for Everyone, providing an educational resource about traditional Native American dwellings.

• Native American Indian Geographic Areas Activities help students learn about different regions where Native Americans lived. These activities often involve matching colored beads to maps and corresponding information cards about each geographic area. Like the nomenclature cards, these geographic activities may be available as subscriber-only freebies.

• Comprehensive Native American Printable Packs often include multiple activities such as nomenclature cards, geographic activities, and historical information. These packs are typically subscriber-only freebies that require email subscription and confirmation before access is granted.

Age-Specific Resources

Different resources are available for various age groups, ensuring age-appropriate learning experiences:

• For early elementary students (K-1st grade), there are simplified Native American packs that focus on engaging activities about the Iroquois people and their culture. These resources can be used as a one-day introduction or expanded into a comprehensive unit.

• For older elementary students, more detailed resources are available, including:

  • Foldables with pictures and information about different geographic regions
  • Land, weather, and tribe-specific foldables
  • Picture and vocabulary cards for each region
  • Information about housing, art, food, clothing, practices, beliefs, and music of different Native American groups

Specialized Educational Resources

Native American Tribes Coloring Pages

A popular educational resource is the "Native American Tribes Coloring Pages," which features illustrations of ten famous American tribes including the Apache, Cheyenne, and Sioux. These coloring pages are designed to be both engaging and informative, allowing students to learn about different tribes while expressing creativity through coloring. Each page typically includes information about the tribe featured, making it a multifaceted educational tool.

Orange Shirt Day Freebie

An important educational resource is the Indigenous Orange Shirt Day freebie, which addresses residential school history. This resource can be used as a standalone activity for Orange Shirt Day or as a supplemental activity for National Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly known as Aboriginal Day). These materials help educate students about a significant aspect of Native American history and its ongoing impact.

Indigenous Peoples' Day Resources

For Indigenous Peoples' Day, various educational materials are available, including: - Videos explaining what "Indigenous" means - Maps showing North America pre-European contact - Videos of indigenous children discussing why this day is important to them - Links to relevant books such as "Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story"

Digital Content and Free Trials

Amazon Native American Freebies

Amazon offers several free resources related to Native American content:

• Free Native American ebooks are available for download. Those without a Kindle device can download the free Kindle Reading App to access these books.

• Amazon Prime members and trial users can access free Native American videos and content through the Prime Video service.

• Free Native American apps and game apps are available for download through the Amazon Appstore.

• Amazon Music Unlimited offers a free trial that includes Native American music content.

• Audible provides a Premium Plus plan with two free audiobooks, which may include titles related to Native American history and culture.

• Alexa users can access free Native American Alexa Skills that provide information and entertainment.

• Amazon FreeTime Unlimited offers a free trial with access to more than 16,000 kid-friendly books, videos, and apps, including Native American content. This service includes parental controls and is available in the US, Germany, and the UK.

• Prime Gaming provides a free trial with access to exclusive content for games and free PC games.

Podcasts and Audio Content

Free podcasts related to Native American topics are available without requiring membership. These podcasts cover various aspects of Native American culture, history, and contemporary issues, providing accessible audio content for interested listeners.

Books and Literature Resources

Recommended Reading Materials

Several books are recommended for teaching about Native Americans:

• "The Very First Americans" by Cara Ashrose
• "Life in a Longhouse Village" by Bobbie Kalman
• "The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush" by Tomie dePaola
• Books from the "A True Book" series by Andrew Santella
• "North American Indians" by Marie and Douglas Gorsline
• "Native American Rights: The Decades-Old Fight" for teaching children about Native American civil rights

Digital Reading Resources

Free Native American ebooks are available through Amazon, and the Free Kindle Reading App allows users without Kindle devices to access these books. Additionally, Kindle Unlimited offers a free trial that includes access to a wide range of Native American literature.

Educational Videos and Multimedia Resources

BrainPOP Resources

BrainPOP and BrainPOP Jr. offer educational videos about Native Americans. While BrainPOP Jr. doesn't have a general video about Native Americans, it does offer videos about specific tribes. BrainPOP provides more comprehensive content suitable for older students.

Video Content

Free videos about Native Americans are available through various platforms, including Amazon Prime for members and trial users. These videos cover different aspects of Native American culture, history, and contemporary life.

Maps and Geographic Resources

Maps showing North America pre-European contact are valuable educational resources that help students understand the geographic distribution of Native American tribes before colonization. These maps often include information about different tribal territories and cultural regions.

Teaching Resources for Educators

Comprehensive Lesson Plans

Educators can access comprehensive lesson plans for teaching about Native Americans, including: - Read aloud recommendations - Technology integration ideas - Craft activities - Assessment suggestions

These resources emphasize the importance of teaching both historical and contemporary Native American life to provide students with a complete understanding.

Addressing Misconceptions

Teaching resources often focus on helping students clear up misconceptions they may have had about Native Americans. By providing accurate information through stories, nonfiction texts, and multimedia resources, educators can ensure students develop a nuanced understanding of Native American cultures.

Visual Learning Tools

Visual learning tools play an important role in Native American education. These include: - Picture cards - Vocabulary cards - Illustrated foldables - Maps and geographic resources - Videos and multimedia presentations

Crafts and Activities

Native American Crafts

Several websites offer craft ideas related to Native American culture. These crafts are designed to be both educational and engaging, allowing students to learn through hands-on activities. Common craft projects may include making traditional Native American items, creating art inspired by Native American designs, or constructing models of traditional dwellings.

Cultural Activities

Cultural activities help students experience aspects of Native American traditions. These activities might include learning about Native American music, traditional games, or storytelling practices. Such activities provide a more immersive understanding of Native American cultures beyond textbook learning.

Conclusion

The availability of free resources related to Native American studies has grown significantly, offering diverse materials for educators, parents, and students. These resources range from printable educational materials and digital content to specialized free trials of services featuring Native American themes. Whether seeking educational printables, digital content, literature, or multimedia resources, numerous options are available to support learning about Native American cultures and history.

The provided materials emphasize the importance of teaching both historical and contemporary Native American life, helping students develop a comprehensive understanding. By utilizing these free resources, educators and parents can provide engaging, accurate, and age-appropriate content about Native American cultures.

Sources

1. Native American Activities with Free Printables
2. Native American Freebies and Resources
3. Native American Educational Resources on Teachers Pay Teachers
4. Native American Activities and Lesson Plans