Celebrate National Native American Heritage Month with Britannica Education

Use ELA, Science, and Social Studies to Promote Inquiry

November is National Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate Indigenous communities across the United States.

Historically, curricula have overlooked the history and experiences of American Indians, especially in regard to Thanksgiving. Though widely celebrated as a day of gratitude and togetherness, the holiday is, for many Indigenous people, a reminder of the lasting effects of colonization, including the genocide and displacement of their people and the erasure of culture.

This month is an opportunity for students to build their understanding of colonization, Indigenous history, and the ongoing challenges these communities face, such as the loss of their ancestral homelands and how they are reclaiming their sovereignty. By understanding our nation’s roots, students can recognize the importance of supporting Indigenous communities today. Britannica Expedition: Learn! provides the ELA, social studies, and science content to build background knowledge to help understand and celebrate Native American Heritage Month. 

Check out how our experts use the Indigenous Peoples and Colonialism in the United States Inquiry to teach ELA, science, and social studies standards.

Download the Content Spotlight

Interdisciplinary Literacy with Expedition: Learn!

Through an interdisciplinary inquiry framework, students can deepen their understanding of historical injustices and Indigenous resistance. They will develop social studies, science, and ELA skills by engaging with the following tasks: 

• Take constructive, independent, and collaborative action
• Analyze sources and develop an evidence-based argument
• Apply their learning to address real issues

Integrating inquiry across ELA, science, and social studies gives students the chance to see how knowledge is interconnected. When students ask questions, gather evidence, and construct arguments across disciplines, they develop and strengthen their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students form a deeper and more practical understanding of complex issues, preparing them for the real world. 

Expedition: Learn! is grounded in decades of research and evidence-based practice. Lessons can be used for whole-class instruction, small-group reteaching, or independent practice. Expedition: Learn! helps students develop meaningful skills that they can use in and out of the classroom, all year long! Book a demo of Expedition: Learn!

Expedition: Learn! in the Classroom

Check out ways to use the Indigenous Peoples and Colonialism in the United States Inquiry featuring ELA, science, and social studies content to drive discovery.