Native American Activities for Primary Children

In November, we spend a lot of time completing different Native American Activities. The students are fascinated by their lives and how they survived with what they had. It is enlightening and eye-opening for them to learn how life used to be long ago.
Native American activities unit for first grade

Iroquois Native American Activities

We spend a little bit of time each day learning about three different tribes. I start on the East coast and we learn about the Iroquois Native Americans.  First, we read the little mini book together. We have a lot of great discussions. This tribe is part of where we live in Ohio so it is easy for them to relate to the surroundings that the Native Americans lived in.
Iroquois native american activities worksheets
After reading the mini book and discussing it, I split my students into groups. Each group works on the review sheet together using the mini book as help.  Once we are finished completing the review sheet, we meet together to go over their food, clothing, shelter, and recreation. I made these posters to help them review.
After we review, I split them into four different groups. Each group has to work together to make a visual representation of one of the four topics; food, shelter, recreation, or food.  I tell them that their item has to fit into the palm of their hand. Once they have their item, they label it with white paper and we add it to a 12 by 18 sheet of construction paper.
Native American activities for first grade
Here is an example of the Iroquois Native American Activity
native american activities for elementary students
When we have finished our graph, we write about the tribe. They just share what they learned from all of the Native American activities we just completed.

Sioux Native American Activities

The second tribe we learn about is the Sioux Native Americans. This tribe is on the move and their food, shelter, clothing, and recreation are all a little different from the Iroquois.  We repeat the same process as before reading, reviewing, and creating the pieces to make the graph.
Sioux native american activities

Hopi Native American Activities

The final tribe we learn more about is the Hopi Native Americans. This tribe is in the Southwest desert area. Their homes are vastly different from the other two tribes.
Hopi native american activities
There is nothing better than seeing their art come to life and them learning by doing. This unit is short but fun. It provides them with a great background of the way Native Americans lived long ago.
Native American activities craft
As a fun cumulative project, we also each make our own Native American. They all turn out so different as they add their own designs to the deerskin outfits.
Native American activities unit for elementary students
Check out more fun classroom activities on my blog:

Megan

One Comment

  • The link for this just takes me to the store. I cannot find this specific packet. Can you post another link? Thanks!

    Reply

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Hello!

I’m Megan, a first grade teacher and a mother to 7 amazing children. I love to create and collaborate with teachers. When I’m not teaching, I love spending time with my family, baking and playing tennis.

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