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Academic Standards

Learning Objective: 
Children will identify inventions of Indigenous people.

 

Social Studies Focus:

Native American Heritage Month

 

Page 4 skill:

graphing

 

Vocabulary:

invented, paddle

 

CCSS (and states that have similar standards):

RI.K.1 key details, RI.K.4 vocabulary, L.K.1.A print letters, RL.K.1 key details (literature), SL.K.1 collaborative discussions, SL.K.2 confirm understanding by answering questions

Download TEKS Standards
Download CCSS Standards

Watch the video

Build background knowledge about Indigenous inventions by watching “Indigenous Inventions.” When you’re done watching, ask the following question: What is one invention you learned about?

Preview new vocabulary words

Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce this issue’s featured words.

Set a purpose for reading

  • Have students do a picture walk through the issue. Then read and discuss the cover. Ask children if they know of any other things that were invented by Indigenous people.
  • Then, before turning to page 2, say, “As we read the article, think about how people use each invention.”
  • As you read the issue, stop after reading each box to let children answer the question and share any experiences they may have had with each invention.
  • When you get to the sidebar, let children share which corn foods they have tried and which ones they would like to try.
  • Complete the page 4 activity as a group or individually.

Deepen students’ learning with any of these supplemental activities:

Play the online game: Crack the Code!

(skill: letters and symbols)

Complete a hands-on activity: Be an Inventor

Children are presented with a problem and challenged to create an invention to solve it! (skill: critical thinking)

Read a paired text: 

Try reading Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. This beautiful book is not only about the traditional food, but also about history, memory, and community.