Resources

National Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian Institute)

This website offers a wide breadth of materials organized through Native Knowledge 360°. Under “Materials for Teachers and Students”, you’ll find lessons, websites, and videos that are searchable by: Subject, Nation, Grade, Language, Region, and Format. Follow the “Essential Understandings” link to familiarize yourself with “key concepts about the rich and diverse cultures, histories, and contemporary lives of Native Peoples.”

First Nations Development Institute - Colorado, New Mexico, California & Online

For over 40 years, this Native-led non-profit has been supporting Native communities through grants and community partnerships. Their programs include “Nourishing Native Foods & Health” and “Investing in Native Youth.” Visit their “Knowledge Center” for resources, including “Environmental Justice in Indian Country” and “Reclaiming Native Truth.”

“Native America” Documentary Series (produced by Providence Pictures for PBS)

This 2-Season Documentary Series chronicles the scientific, artistic, cultural, and technological achievements of communities living between (what is now) northern Canada and southern Peru from centuries ago to the present day. Beyond the series episodes, you should explore the website, which includes: the Native Voices Blog, Digital Extras, and Resources for the Classroom.

Center for Native Peoples and the Environment (SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry)

The Center’s mission is to “create programs that draw on the wisdom of both indigenous and scientific knowledge in support of our shared goals of environmental sustainability.” Check out their Blog, learn about their Collaborative Projects, and read about their Sloan Indigenous Graduate Fellows.

“A Racial Justice Guide to Thanksgiving” - The Center for Racial Justice in Education

This extensive guide is a great place to explore the historical and contemporary contexts of Thanksgiving in the United States. Materials are divided into the following categories: Native American Perspectives, Contributions and Celebrations; Teaching Approaches; Lesson Plans/Study Guides; Historical Resources; Resources for Families; and Book Lists.

“Infusing Indigenous Perspectives in K-12 Teaching” (University of Toronto)

Here you will find a “materials that centre or focus on First Nations, Métis, and Inuit worldviews, experiences and knowledges for teaching in the K-12 classroom.” These materials are organized by Books, Kits & Games, Video & Audio, Lesson Plans, Indigenous Language Materials, Online Resources, and Course Support. Under “Lesson Plans,” you will also find a Teacher’s Toolkit on Indigenous Perspectives.

American Indians in Children’s Literature

“Established in 2006 by Dr. Debbie Reese of Nambé Pueblo, American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL) provides critical analysis of Indigenous peoples in children's and young adult books.” This website provides resources related to Native writers and illustrators; they also recommend books and explain how certain books and phrases are problematic because of the history of racism and racist depictions of Indigenous peoples.

Indigenous-Owned Bookstores

Check out and support these bookstores across North America. This list is from Book Riot. If you know of a better or more updated list, please share it with us. Thanks!

Black-owned Bookstores

We encourage you to support Black-owned bookstores for books for home, work, or school. Check out this list of stores from African American Literature Book Club.

“Talking to Young Children about Race and Racism” - PBS Kids

This site includes articles and book lists as well as an hour-long conversation called “Talking to Children Authentically about Race and Racism” facilitated by Will Tolliver. The site also includes links to external resources for further reading and learning.

“Social Justice books” a teaching for Change Project

This website contains curated book lists, a video series called “Freedom Reads: Anti-Bias Book Talk Series”, reviews of children’s literature, and more.

Embrace Race

This multiracial community of parents, educators, experts, and caring adults provides abundant resources focused on raising a “generation of children who are thoughtful, informed, and brave about race.” You’ll find articles, webinars, action guides, lists of children’s books, and more on their website.

Talking About Race - National Museum of African American History & Culture, Smithsonian Institute

This portal provides multiple ways of navigating its extensive materials. Follow a path through a Social Role (Educator, Caregiver, Person Committed to Equity) or browse a key topic including: Being Antiracist, Bias, Community Building, and the Historical Foundations of Race. Short videos and reflection questions aim to deepen one’s thinking and learning.

“Black History Month: Teaching the Complete History” by Coshandra Dillard - Learning for Justice

This article asserts that “only teaching a Black history steeped in trauma and struggle provides a very narrow view of Blackness and perpetuates the false notion of Black people’s inferiority.” To counter this practice, Dillard encourages us to Teach Black Liberation Movements, Honor Black Civic Rights Engagement, Recognize Intersectional Black Identity, and more. Read and check out the accompanying links!

The Poetry Foundation - Online and On-site Events — Chicago

Established in 2003, "The Poetry Foundation works to raise poetry to a more visible and influential position in our culture." You can search their website by Poet, School (Black Arts Movement, Beat, etc.), or Category. Find resources for Educators and information on Events & Exhibits taking place at their home in Chicago.

Literacy Together — Asheville, NC

This non-profit functions through the values of Lifelong Learning, Individual Dignity, Equity & Justice, and Leadership & Innovation. They train tutors to serve adult, youth, and ESOL readers/writers. Visit their website to learn how to access their services, volunteer your time, and/or donate to support their work.

Literacy Information and Communication System — U.S. Department of Education

This extensive online resource contains materials related to adult education, innovative teaching practices, digital literacy, financial literacy, and teaching online. You can also access a COVID-19 Support for Adult Educators.

Storyline Online

Can’t get to a local library’s storytime to introduce kids to new books? Check out the SAG-AFTA Foundation’s children’s literacy website. Find dozens of actors reading a wide range of books of varying grade levels and accompanying activities. You can search their collection by Book Title or Author, Reader, or Run Time.

PBS Kids Read-Alongs

A series of videos featuring children’s books read by public figures and authors, including Michelle Obama, Marc Brown, Christian Robinson, and Kristen Bell. Activity sheets, craft ideas, and articles follow the videos.

National Gallery of Art: NGAkids Art Zone - Washington, D.C. & Online

The learning resources, tools, and activities here introduce visual art as exciting and interactive. Learn about art and art history through online platforms and programs. Use your imagination to create unique art projects.

Metropolitan Museum of Art - New York City & Online

Visit #MetKids to explore art made for, with, and by kids and read related blogs. Access Lesson Plans to incorporate into homeschool and classroom environments. For articles, podcasts, videos, and projects, visit Perspectives.

The Kennedy Center: Classroom Resources

From lessons and articles, to how-to guides and a wide range of media, this free online collection provides a broad range of resources for studying and engaging in the arts. Explore by arts subject, grade, or duration.

Music Teachers National Association

Here’s a listing of great websites for kids. The links are organized by: Performer-Based, Symphony-Based, Music Game/Theory/History/Listening, and Teacher Resources. Children of all ages can explore music and play musical games.

UBU.COM

Tremendous online archive of avant-garde and Modernist works of art. The site contains countless videos, audio recordings, essays, and other documents produced by and about major artists like John Cage, Samuel Beckett, Yvonne Rainer, Trisha Brown, Yoko Ono, and many, many more. 

Wake Up Schools

This organization is an initiative of Zen monk Thich Nhat Hanh and his Plum Village community. Through trainings, events, and online resources, Wake Up Schools supports educators in cultivating the practices of mindfulness and applied ethics. The three pillars of their work are: embodiment, service, and community.

Mindfulness for Children — New York Times

This extended article briefly introduces helpful mindfulness practices for parenting children from a very young age. In addition to basic tips, they introduce “activities that develop compassion, focus, curiosity, and empathy”.

Omega Institute - Online Learning and On-Site Events — Rhinebeck, NY

Begun in 1977, the Omega Institute brings together exciting thinkers in the fields of spirituality and religion, the arts, the physical & social sciences, and the humanities through its initiatives and centers. Values of holism, community, sustainability, service, and integrity guide Omega's multi-faceted efforts.