Upcoming
These live and interactive programs introduce educators to NK360° and its extensive resources. Webinars and onsite programs are designed to support education professionals in learning approaches to incorporate more complete narratives about Native American histories, cultures, and contemporary lives into their teaching. View recorded webinars.
Becoming an NK360° Educator Series: The “First Thanksgiving”: How Can We Tell a Better Story?
January 14, 21, 28, and February 4, 2025
7–8:15 PM ET
Free | Registration required
Communicating stories about a nation's shared past helps listeners think critically about the choices people made in the past and those we make today. National stories examine our mistakes through discourse and encourage listening and understanding across diverse communities.
This series introduces the new NK360° resource The “First Thanksgiving”: How Can We Tell a Better Story? Based on an inquiry design model, this resource helps teachers and students dispel misconceptions about the “First Thanksgiving” by examining the events through multiple perspectives, including those of the Wampanoag Nation, who have been largely excluded from this national story.
edX Course: Foundations for Transforming Teaching and Learning about Native Americans
Through November 7, 2025
Free | Registration required
In this course, learners will explore the impact problematic narratives about Native Americans have on society and student education, as well as learn ways to recognize and share more complete narratives, both inside and outside the classroom.
In addition, learners will explore Native Knowledge 360° (NK360°), the National Museum of the American Indian’s national initiative to inspire and support transformative teaching and learning about Native Americans.
This course, based on a three-part live webinar series taught by educators at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, is designed for education professionals who are new to incorporating more complete narratives about Native American histories, cultures, and contemporary lives into their teaching. Educators whose primary subject area is social studies, English language arts, or library sciences and who work with students in grades 4–12 are encouraged to enroll. Homeschoolers, parents, and others looking for digital educational resources about Native Americans can also register.
NK360° & You
Here’s what Josefina, a 4th and 5th grade ESOL educator, had to say about the Native Knowledge 360° edX course Foundations for Transforming Teaching and Learning about Native Americans:
"Because of NK360°’s edX course,... I am more aware of stereotypes and erasure of Native Americans and how this impacts everyone, namely Native American youth."
How did you tie this lesson into your curriculum?
My first Language Arts units are about Native nations in the Americas and the history of the western United States, and NK360° has a wealth of material, including lesson plans, visuals, maps, and graphic organizers already focused on these topics.
What did you do as a student?
The asynchronous course was easy to navigate. I was able to pace myself, and the content of the course is archived, so I can go back to it. A discussion board was embedded in the course, and I was learning with educators from all over.
Teacher Reflection
As I have engaged in this course, my passion for enhancing curricula and lesson plans was reignited. I have more confidence teaching about Native American history, and I am excited to share what I have learned with my colleagues and district.
