Our Lessons for K12 West

The Incredible Incas - The Incas never invented the wheel. Yet, high in the rugged Andes Mountains of South America, the Incas built thousands of miles of well-paved roads. Everyone in the empire was well fed and no one was homeless. Meet "The Children of the Sun".

The Mysterious Mayas - One day, the Mayas appeared. 1500 years later, they disappeared. No one knows where they came from and no one knows where they went!  During their stay, they build fabulous pyramids, temples, and ball courts. Learn About Daily Life in the Maya Empire. Read the exciting adventure of The Hero Twins. Meet "The Children of the Corn".

The Awesome Aztecs - Why did the Aztecs search for 200 years to find the Place of the Prickly Pear Cactus? What did conquered people have to pay in tribute? Discover how the Aztecs treated some very honored guests in the story Journey of a Princess. Welcome to ancient Mexico.

Iroquois Nation
What was the job of the False Face Society? Who were the Three Sisters? What were the Snow Snake Games? Who was Hiawatha? What was the League of Nations? What was wampum?

Ojibwa/Chippewa
Why did the Ojibwa hide pebbles in moccasins? What is a Charcoal Sad Face? How do you play Butterfly Hide and Seek? What is a Dream Catcher?

Cherokee Nation
Why did the Cherokee Indians have a red chief and a white chief? What is a Booger Ceremony? Where is the Darkening Land? What is the Trail of Tears?

Seminole
What is the job of an animal spirit helper?  Why did the Seminole people hang baby cradles from the rafters of their homes?  What is a comfortable? Why were beads so important?  Welcome to the Florida Everglade Seminole Indians in Olden Times.

Plains People
Why did the Plains people prefer tipis to houses? Name 72 things the Plains people made from buffalo. Why were horses called dogs? What were pictographs? Why do the elders still speak of Clever Coyote with gratitude?

Sioux Nation
What could boys do when they reached their 10th birthday? What engagement present did the family of the bride receive? Why weren't kids given names when they were born? What did star quilts represent? What was the Seven Council Fires?

Anasazi/Pueblo/Hopi
Why did the Pueblo dig a hole in the middle of a secret underground room? Who were the giant Natackas? What are kachinas? How did the Pueblo get their name? Who were the Old Ones? What happened at a naming ceremony? 

Apache
Why do Apache kids hunt for blue stones?  Who were the Devil Dancers? Learn how to play Apache toe and toss games. Read an Apache myth about Child of Water and Little Blue Rock.

Navajo
When a young couple ate from the same basket, why did all their relatives lecture them? What is a Ketoh? Why did the Navajo make Sand Paintings and then destroy them before dark? What is a Blessingways? Welcome to the Southwest Navajo Indians in Olden Times.

 Northwest Pacific Coastal
What made the Puget Sound Indian tribes "rich" in ancient times? Why were woven mats so important? How did totem poles get started? What could you buy with 5,000 blankets? What's a potlatch all about? Find out here.

California Indians
Why was the bear doctor feared? What was the purpose of the Big Head Dance? Why did certain medicine men hunt rattlesnakes? Why did the Chumash need a ladder to get into bed?

Far North
What trick did the Kutchin people use on their enemies? How did these early people stop ghosts from entering their homes? Welcome to Alaska Natives, the Arctic and the Far North.


Ancient Myths, Folktales, Stories retold by us for use in the classroom as handouts
The Warrior Well (Ancient Mongolia)
The Hero Twins (Maya)
Place of the Prickly Pear Cactus (Aztec)
Journey of a Princess (Aztec, grades 6-12)
The Clever Coyote (Comanche Buffalo Myth)
Child of Water and Little Blue Rock (Apache Myth)

Colonial Mexico  Learning module. The Pre-Independence Mexican Indian Uprisings; Did they help or hinder Mexico's drive to independence from Spain? (Rise of Democratic Ideas; 19th Century, 9th-grade World History)

Holidays Around the World - Mrs. Donn's Special Section. Ancient Roots, Modern Holidays; mini-learning modules for over 30 different holidays, with holiday games, lesson plans, activities, for the classroom.