Traditional Native Art Lessons with Supplements, Grades 2-6

The American Indian Cultural Center and Museum presents this lesson unit on Traditional Native Art Lessons, for grades 2-6. Included is a teacher guide, student supplement, and a lessons document, along with all supporting files and videos, as linked below (no need to find these elsewhere). Students will learn some of the meaning and cultural importance of various Native American art forms and how traditional art can offer insight into the rich culture and beliefs of Oklahoma’s Native American tribes. Traditional art refers to art that was created from the early beginnings of Native cultures to the year 1900. I have also included below the American Indian Art History Detectives Supplemental Lesson with supporting materials and Mihtohseenionki Teacher Resource Guides, both of which are referenced by the Traditional Native Art Lessons guide.

American Indians have always woven beauty into everything, from elaborately decorated headdresses to everyday objects like shoes. From the past to the present, Native artists and craftsmen have played a vital role in tribal cultures, keeping alive important artistic traditions such as pottery, beading, ceramics, weaving, and painting. These lessons celebrate the amazing meanings, histories, and superb quality of traditional native art:

Traditional Native Art Lesson Student Supplement, Grades 2-6 (pdf)
Traditional Native Art Lessons Teacher Guide, Grades 2-6 (pdf)
Traditional Native Art Lessons, Grades 2-6 (pdf)

Supporting Materials for Traditional Native Art Lessons

American Indian Art History Detectives Supplemental Lesson with supporting Files

Parfleche boxes were an essential storage container for the nomadic American Indians of the Great Plains that followed the herds of bison that once occupied large sections of the United States. Using a variety of maps, plus their powers of observation and critical thinking, students will become art history detectives and discover the tribe that crafted this box.

Mihtohseenionki Teacher Resource Guides

This guide, complete with lesson plans, overhead masters, handout masters and additional resources focuses on Native Peoples of the Indiana region, past to present.