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Teaching about Indigenous Peoples is a meaningful way to expand your students’ perspectives and foster inclusivity in the classroom. Whether you’re teaching a unit during Native American Heritage Month or exploring contemporary issues, these meaningful, age-appropriate activities will help students explore the rich histories, diverse cultures, and ongoing contributions of Indigenous communities across North America.
Activities About Indigenous North Americans for All Ages
Use these lessons and activities as a starting point to deepen student understanding of Indigenous history, culture, and contributions.
Oral Storytelling with Story Vines: An Indigenous Perspective
By Indigenous Education Resources
Grades: Any
Introduce students to First Nations while learning about the history of oral storytelling. Story vines are handcrafted fabric chains, braided with art and artifacts that represent characters and events of a story. They offer a meaningful way to integrate Indigenous perspectives into multiple subjects, enriching classroom learning.
A Little’s Introduction to Native American/Indigenous Culture
By Cottontail Creations
Grades: PreK-1stÂ
Through play-based learning, students will build important early skills while learning about Native American tribes in Oklahoma. Organized into easy-to-follow daily lessons, this resource makes it easy for teachers to guide students through a full week of learning while offering accurate and age-appropriate information that helps children develop respect and understanding for Indigenous cultures.
Indigenous People Groups of the World: Characteristics/Way of Life: Diversity
By Teaching with Bonnie
Grade: 2nd-4th
This resource supports competencies in cultural exploration, helping students examine how other people’s values, beliefs, worldviews, and roles shape their perspectives. Plus, it will save you hours of research and writing by providing prepared materials on six Indigenous groups.
California Native Americans/Indigenous Peoples of California
By Teaching with Aris
Grade: 2nd-4th
Bring the history and culture of California Native American tribes to life with this comprehensive 60-page unit. Designed to engage students through meaningful content, this resource provides everything you need to explore the Indigenous Peoples of California.
Facts, Myths, and Stereotypes – Native American ELA Unit
By Real Native Learning Resources
Grade: 3rd-5th
Teach students to move beyond myths and stereotypes with this engaging Native American culture unit. With this resource, your students will gain a much richer understanding of Native cultures.
Indigenous Peoples Day Activities in Spanish
By Maestra Manzano
Grades: 3rd-10th
Designed for Spanish immersion, dual language, and bilingual classrooms, this packet is not only a meaningful way to explore colonization and Indigenous Peoples Day, but it also helps students build literacy skills in Spanish.
Indigenous Cultures of Canada (First Nations) Inquiry Based Unit Bundle
By Curriculum Essentials
Grades: 4th-7th
This interactive mini unit offers a thoughtful and age-appropriate introduction to Indigenous history and reconciliation. Designed for upper elementary and middle school students, it combines meaningful printable activities with creative art projects to foster empathy, awareness, and respectful dialogue. This resource is adaptable for classrooms in Canada, the United States, and Australia.
Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian March Madness Debate Lesson
By ELA with Morgan
Grade: 9th-12th
This collaborative multi-day lesson is a hit with high school students! Using a March Madness-style debate format, students compete in elimination rounds with prizes, building engagement. Along the way, they explore key cultural elements and themes from the novel.
Five Little Indians – Novel Study – Contemporary Indigenous Issues Unit
By Infusing Indigenous Literature
Grades: 10th-12th
This comprehensive novel study supports the award-winning book Five Little Indians by Michelle Good while guiding students through critical topics related to Indigenous history, rights, and reconciliation in Canada. It’s fully editable and can be taught over 9 to 18 weeks, depending on your pacing and instructional approach.
Honor Indigenous Peoples in your classroom year-round with TPT
While teaching about Native American Heritage Month in November is a timely addition to your roster of fall activities and lessons, it’s just the start. Find inspiration and resources for any class by exploring more Indigenous history activities on TPT.