It is well known that November is the month in which Americans let out a collective sight as they finish their overly abundant meal on Thanksgiving Day. A little lesser known fact, however, is that November is also American Indian Heritage Month.
The Native American culture is rich with traditions and customs. The month allows us to celebrate our heritage if we are of the Native American heritage. If not, it allows us to expose our children and families to the customs of the Indians.
There are so many activities to expose children to the culture. Here are few of them to get you started in the home or classroom.
Songs/Fingerplays
I’m A Little Indian (stepbystepcc.com/native Americans.com)
(sung to I’m A Little Teapot)
I’m a little Indian on the go
Here is my arrow, here is my bow
When I go a hunting, hear me shout
Bears and Buffalo better watch out!
Five Little Indians
5 Little Indians run through a teepee door
One falls down and then there are 4
4 little Indians climbing in a tree
One jumps out and then there are 3
3 little Indians riding in a canoe
One tips out and then there are 2
Two little Indians playing in the sun
One swims away and then there is 1
One little Indian left by the stream
Lays down his head and dreams a sweet dream!
Crafts
Make a Dreamcatcher out of pipe cleaners or string.
Make a circle with the pipe cleaner then wind the string across and around in a design. Tie strings to the bottoms with feathers at the bottom. Native Americans believe good and bad dreams float around at night. A dreamcatcher catches that bad dreams and holds them until they disappear when the sun rises. The good dreams float through the web, down the feather onto the person asleep.
Make a rainstick or drum.
Native Americans are known for their distinct sounds and music. Allow your kids to make a drum out of a coffee can. Wrap the can with paper or cloth then decorate. To make a rainstick, take a empty paper towel roll and fill with a ruffled piece of aluminum foil. Then fill with beans or rice. Seal the ends with paper. Allow the kids to decorate as well.
Make a headdress
This can be done a lot of different ways using construction paper, real feathers, paint, etc. You can make this as extravagant as your kids would like. My suggestion is to use a sturdy headband and then use craft glue to make whatever you choose more sturdy. I would also do feathers in the front and the back-the more the better.
Go online
The Internet is a wealth of knowledge and can provide kids with endless knowledge. Study topics or search topics can include totem poles, Native American customs, Trail of Tears, etc. Allow the kids to write a poem or essay on Indians.
These are just a few suggestions to get your brain going. Feel free if you have other suggestions to leave them in the comments. American Indian Heritage Month is often overlooked with all the talk of Thanksgiving so make sure not to forget it this year.
