To start the new school year, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian is offering new K–12 resources to help transform teaching and learning about Native Americans.

The museum’s national education initiative, Native Knowledge 360° (NK360°), provides online educational materials and teacher training to help educators and students learn about the rich, complex and dynamic histories and cultures of the Indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere. NK360° classroomready resources incorporate Indigenous narratives and comprehensive histories with primary and secondary sources, videos, maps, illustrations and recommended resources.

The new resource, The “First Thanksgiving”: How Can We Tell a Better Story?, is an Inquiry Design Model-based resource designed for grades 3–5 that helps teachers and students dispel misconceptions about the “First Thanksgiving” by examining key details and events through multiple perspectives, including those of the Wampanoag nation, which have been largely absent from this national story.

The myth of the “First Thanksgiving” is still commonly taught and can play an outsized role in the celebration of national holidays in schools. This inquiry is an exploration of a more complete story of encounters between two different cultures at a particular time and place. In examining multiple perspectives and age-appropriate historical details, students will develop an argument supported by evidence that answers the compelling question: how can we tell a better story about the “First Thanksgiving”?

Students work through a series of supporting questions and formative tasks that enable them to learn about this history beyond the harvest event. They will learn how the Wampanoag nation lived and developed an extensive relationship with their homeland for thousands of years. Students will gather details about Wampanoag individuals and English individuals who made difficult decisions during a great time of change. Students will analyze how colonial settlements, actions and events increased tension and eventually led to war. Students will have an opportunity to hear from Wampanoag descendants to learn how Wampanoag individuals and communities found ways to survive and continue their cultural lifeways through the present day.

Included in the online inquiry is a timeline that provides greater context about events leading up to, during and after the period featured in this inquiry: 1600s–1660s. The timeline is an excellent resource for both teachers and students. This inquiry resource aligns with social studies and English language arts Common Core Standards for grades 3–5.

Video | What’s the Story with National Stories?

This short video asks students to consider the importance of national stories and how they shape understanding of our nation’s shared history with Native people. The media piece is featured in the inquiry resource The “First Thanksgiving”: How Can We Tell a Better Story? and can also be utilized as a stand-alone resource.

Learn how to incorporate the lesson into the curricula for the new school year at AmericanIndian.si.edu/nk360

Professional Development

Attend free live and interactive workshops at one of the museum’s locations and online. In honor of Native American Heritage Month, the museum’s education team will lead a virtual program on Saturday, November 2, 12 PM–3 PM ET. The annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day Curriculum Teach-In, in collaboration with Teaching for Change, is an opportunity for educators to strategize ways to uplift and bring Native voices directly into the classroom.

Register on Teaching for Change’s 2024 Native Knowledge 360° Teach-In webpage.

Funding

Lead funding for the Native Knowledge 360° education initiative provided by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies and Bonnie and Jere Broh-Kahn.

Major funding provided by Elizabeth Hunter Solomon, Cherokee Nation, The Coca-Cola Foundation, The Sterne Family, Booth Ferris Foundation, Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation, The Nathan Cummings Foundation, Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation, Heather Dhar and Sisir Dhar, Macy’s, the National Museum of the American Indian’s National Council and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Additional funding provided by Con Edison, T.E.W. Foundation, William Lomax, Rodney Coenen, the Office of the Secretary of the Smithsonian and the Smithsonian Seattle Regional Council.