Explore Native American Cultures!
Teacher Resources

Explore Native American Cultures! With 25 Great Projects

By Anita Yasuda  
Illustrated by Jennifer Keller
Spirit masks, totem poles, tipis, and canoes! Explore Native American Cultures! brings the history of these fascinating people to life for young readers ages 6-9. Using hands-on activities, kids explore traditional Native American daily life, including shelter, clothing, food, tools, and technology. Kids will investigate myths, legends, ceremonies, and celebrations. Projects are simple to follow and use everyday materials that will have kids raiding the recycling bin. The book is packed with fun activities including building a longhouse, making a colorful cornmeal painting, creating a spirit mask, and learning some Native American sign language. Riddles, jokes, and fascinating facts combined with hands-on learning engage kids as they Explore Native American Cultures!
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Reviews

School Library Journal
“This lively and informative introduction is divided into six regions (Northeast Woodlands, Southeast, Southwest and Mesoamerica, Great Plains, Pacific Northwest, and Arctic). Each section provides a concise overview of the tribes, their food, housing, ceremonies, clothing, and games. There are roughly dive kid-friendly activities per regions, ranging from shell rattles to Mayan glyphs, a bear-claw necklace to Inuit sculpture. A ‘Words to Know' box appears on almost every page, explaining highlighted words that are used in the text. Although the format is somewhat busy, the scattered sections of text and black-and-white drawings are relevant and fun. ‘Then and Now,' ‘Wow' facts, and occasional, playful ‘Just for Laughs' box, complement the overall package. (What has hundreds of ears but can't hear a thing? A crop of corn!) And children will lean that the phrase "bury the hatchet" (meaning to make peace with) likely comes from literally putting one's war tools underground. A wide range of ages will be able to take something away from this entertaining and useful title.”

The Midwest Book Review
“Explore Native American Cultures! is an enrichment text and workbook for students of Native American studies ages 6-9. Containing 25 diverse hands on projects to help explore different Native American cultures and contributions, Explore Native American Cultures! presents interesting factual information on Southeast, the Southwest and Mesoamerica, the Great Plains, the Pacific Northwest, and the Arctic. Black and white illustrations and gray highlighted sidebars present additional information in handy formats, such as ‘Then & Now' or ‘Words to Know,' and ‘Just For Laughs.' Interesting project directions include make your own Katsina doll, Mayan glyphs, bear claw necklace, soft twine bag, and many more. A timeline, introduction, and glossary complete this handy Native American crafts and studies text for elementary age students.”

Barry D. Kass, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, SUNY Orange
“An interesting and entertaining introduction to native North American cultures for young readers. This valuable educational resource helps young minds overcome negative cultural stereotypes of native people and better understand native people as fellow human beings who led complex and creative cultural lives.”

Marla Conn, Educational Consultant
“Explore Native American Cultures! enables students to gain an understanding about how important historical events are in shaping our modern world. Young readers will develop their perspectives of the world and understand the relationships between people, places, and environments.”


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Reading Explore Native American Cultures! now? Download your Relief Map of Native American Regions template here.


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Detailed Book Description

Spirit masks, totem poles, tipis, and canoes! Explore Native American Cultures! brings the history of these fascinating people to life for young readers ages 7-10. Using hands-on activities, kids explore traditional Native American daily life, including shelter, clothing, food, tools, and technology.

Kids will investigate myths, legends, ceremonies, and celebrations. Projects are simple to follow and use everyday materials that will have kids raiding the recycling bin. The book is packed with fun activities including building a longhouse, making a colorful cornmeal painting, creating a spirit mask, and learning some Native American sign language. Riddles, jokes, and fascinating facts combined with hands-on learning engage kids as they Explore Native American Cultures!

Available In:
Paperback, $12.95
9781619301603
Includes: Table of Contents | Timeline | Maps | Glossary | Resources | Index
Specs: 8 x 10 size | black and white interior | 96 pages
Subject: Social Studies
Content Focus: U.S. History

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Timeline

Introduction

Chapter 1
The Northeast Woodlands

Chapter 2
The Southeast

Chapter 3
The Southwest and Mesoamerica

Chapter 4
The Great Plains

Chapter 5
The Pacific Northwest

Chapter 6
The Arctic

Glossary
Resources
Index