Selecting Native American Literature for the Elementary Classroom
One evolving aspect of the BYU ARTS Partnership Native American Curriculum Initiative is the journey of helping classroom teachers choose culturally accurate and authentic literature. As more Native American authors write from an authentic voice and position we are replacing many books with more affirming, credible Native American-themed classroom books.
We have several resources to share to help teachers select books for the classroom:
Three-part Process for Evaluating Children's Books
Our three-part process for vetting children's books related to Native American culture, history, or people is described below.
- Look at the cover of the book paying attention to the author and illustrator, read the inside flaps of book covers, the foreword, and notes.
- Digest the book's words and illustrations.
- Consider how the book will enrich your students' understanding of Native indigenous cultures.
A List of Our Favorite Books and the Books We Have Set Aside
We are happy to share our list of book recommendations with you! We are also happy to share our thoughts about the books we believe are good (but not the best), and the books we've loved for years, but have put to rest.
This list represents our opinions and experience and does not provide absolute answers for teachers asking what they should or shouldn't read to their students. Again, we ask teachers to go broad and dive deep on their own journey to determine what would be best to use to enrich their students' understanding of and respect for Native Americans.
We have a curated list of book recommendations here, and a webinar on this process with Brenda Beyal and Chris Roberts.
Native American Indian Literacy Project
The Native American Indian Literacy Project seeks to bring Native stories into the classroom through the creation of print and digital booklets. Six of the eight Tribal Sovereign Nations in Utah are represented in the project: Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, Navajo Nation, and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. Each tribal nation contributed five traditional stories that are meant to both entertain and teach readers. This project was generated through funding from a private grant.
Click here to see the book titles included in this project, and a blog on this project.
Guide to Evaluating Accurate and Authentic Resources
This handout can guide educators as they seek to select the most culturally sensitive and culturally appropriate lesson plans, books, videos, and print materials to use in their classroom. The handout includes an overarching strategy for this research process as well as specific suggestions for recognizing authentic and accurate sources including understanding an author/creator's connection to a tribe and the degree of specificity used in the resource.
Amplify Native Voices in the Classroom Online Course
If you want to go more in depth, you might also participate in our online course “Amplifying Native Resources in the Classroom.” We have a whole module devoted to practicing the process of evaluating resources and other activities designed to help teachers gain a better understanding of Native history and perspectives in the Utah area. This course was designed to inform teachers’ application of Native authentic resources in the classroom.
