📖

Clothing and Crafts

Native American Daily Life

Day 8of 180
Week 2of 36
25Minutes
← Day 7Day 8 of 180Day 9 →
🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Describe how Native American clothing and crafts reflected their environment

2

Identify different materials used in Native American crafts

3

Appreciate the creativity and skill of Native American artisans

📖 Scripture Connection

Exodus 35:31-32

“He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to design artistic works.”

— Exodus 35:31-32 (WEB)

Just as God gave people special skills to create beautiful things for the tabernacle, Native Americans used their God-given creativity to make beautiful and useful crafts

📦 Materials Needed

  • Pictures of Native American clothing and crafts
  • Construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Natural materials (feathers, dried grass, twine)
  • Colored markers
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students and show pictures of Native American clothing and crafts. Ask them what they notice about the different items.

💭 Review Question: What do you think clothes and crafts can tell us about how people live?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explain how Native Americans used materials from their environment to make clothing and crafts. Different tribes had different styles based on where they lived.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Clothing made from animal skins and plant fibers
  • Beads and decorations from local materials
  • Clothing designed for specific climates and activities
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Why do you think Native Americans used materials from around them?
  • How is making clothes different today?
3Activity: Native American Craft Collage (7 min)
hands-on

Students create a simple craft collage using natural materials to represent Native American artistic styles

📝 Instructions:
  1. Take a piece of construction paper
  2. Collect natural materials like feathers and grass
  3. Glue materials to create a design
  4. Add color with markers if desired
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Pre-cut materials for younger children

Challenge: Research a specific tribe's craft style to copy

4Closing (3 min)

Share and discuss craft projects, highlighting creativity

📝 Review Questions:
  • What materials did Native Americans use for crafts?
  • Why were their crafts important?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for giving people creativity to make beautiful things that tell stories about their lives.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about children in Native American tribes

💎 Memory Verse

Proverbs 22:29

“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; he won't stand before obscure men.”

— Proverbs 22:29 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Trace the words of the verse on a paper decorated with Native American-style designs

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Native American crafts were both functional and artistic, reflecting deep cultural traditions

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Encourage respectful discussion about Native American culture
  • Help children understand crafts as a form of storytelling
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find it hard to understand how crafts connect to daily life

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Interest in different materials and creative problem-solving

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Visit a local museum with Native American exhibits
  • Read children's books about Native American crafts
  • Try making traditional Native American recipes

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 9 →Back to History & Social Studies