Bring early American history to life with this engaging Native Americans in North America Activity Bundle, designed for 3rd–5th grade social studies! This 16-page resource includes four hands-on, standards-aligned projects that help students explore Native American cultures, regions, storytelling traditions, and survival skills across North America.
Using beautifully designed worksheets and creative activities, students learn about tribal regions, totem poles, animal symbolism, environmental adaptation, and the importance of natural resources—supported by informative passages such as cultural area descriptions and tribe summaries found in the included materials.
Perfect for individual work, small groups, literacy integration, or as part of an Early American History unit!
✨ What’s Included (16 Pages, 4 Projects)
1. Cultural Areas Mapping Activity
Students read about 10 well-known Native American tribes and identify their cultural regions on a map—supported by region descriptions and tribe summaries.
2. Storybook Totem Pole Project
Includes reading passages explaining the purpose, symbolism, and history of totem poles, plus drawing templates where students create their own family totem pole and a creative writing project template.
3. Nature Walk Journal
A printable mini-journal that teaches how Native Peoples adapted to their environments and used natural resources responsibly. Students then go on a nature walk to identify items local to them that may have been resources Native Americans would use.
4. Animal Hides Drawing + Natural Paint Recipe
Students read about how tribes used hides for survival and create their own artwork using a buffalo-hide template and a simple natural-paint recipe OR markers/colored pencils.
📘 Standards Alignment C3 Framework (Grades 3–5)
- D2.His.1–5: Chronology, historical context, and events
- D2.Geo.2–5: Cultural characteristics, regions, and human-environment interaction
- D2.Civ.2: Cultural identity and community roles
Common Core ELA Integration
- RI.3–5: Reading informational text
- W.3–5: Explanatory and narrative writing
- SL.3–5: Speaking and listening through discussion
- L.3–5: Vocabulary development
Typical State Social Studies Standards (3rd–5th Grade)
- Native American cultures and regional diversity
- Early North American geography
- Environment and resource use
- Cultural traditions, storytelling, and symbolism
- Community life and family heritage
🎯 Perfect For
- 3rd–5th Grade Students
- Homeschool Families
- Early American History Units
- Hands-on learning stations
*These projects are from Unit 1 of our full-year Early American History curriculum.
