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Native American Authors: Incoporating Native American Texts in Grades 6-12 LIMITED
Wednesday August 13, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
Room 3
Our session will introduce educators to student-appropriate Native American books. It will explore how Native American literature can be used in the classroom to introduce students to culture, heritage, and ways of life that may differ from their own.This could be in the form of projects or cultural activities. This session will celebrate diversity and inclusion of students and focus on building a safe learning environment.

In this session, secondary level educators will be introduced to a variety of authors and books with Native American (Indigenous) characters to help foster cultural understanding, equity, and inclusion in the learning community. According to Michigan’s state data there are approximately 8,291 Native American students enrolled in public schools. Native American students need to see characters like themselves being represented in texts to encourage them to grow into themselves. “By promoting diversity in children’s literature we can ensure the next generation of Native American children can see themselves represented in the books they read” (Squires The Importance of Native American Literature).

By including lessons on Native American history and culture, teachers can successfully expose students to accurate and truthful information, including assimilation and boarding schools. Even though some pieces of their history can be challenging to learn, teachers can also foster excitement and joy by bringing in different cultural activities. Including bringing in tribal elders from the community for storytelling with the students, taking them on experiential field trips, and implementing culture into the classroom.

In our session’s slide show we will showcase books for students at a variety of grade levels that are easily accessible for teachers to locate and purchase. After time to browse hard copy books, you will walk away with lists of grade appropriate books, online links, and resources. Work time will be provided where you can reflect on how to incorporate Native American literature into your current lessons or units being taught. Many Native American texts are a great way to introduce a project to your students.

Our session will also explore how to evaluate quality texts and materials for authenticity. We will provide a rubric from the National Museum of American Indians with an explanation of how they score materials for culturally appropriate and responsive texts. We will explain how to evaluate Native American texts for authenticity and accuracy by using the following sources: The National Museum of the American Indian NativeKnowledge360 Rubric, and The American Indian Library Association recommended book list. These sources will give teachers the tools to make selections of texts for their classroom.
Speakers
WG

Wendy Gilliard

6th grade teacher, Sault Area Public Schools
Wendy Gilliard is a veteran teacher with 28 years of experience in various grade levels at the elementary and middle school level. She has been teaching middle school language arts at the Sault Area Public Schools for the past eight years. Wendy is currently teaching sixth grade ELA... Read More →
avatar for Sydnie Dumas

Sydnie Dumas

7th Grade ELA Teacher, Sault Area Middle School
Sydnie Dumas is a recent graduate of Central Michigan University with a B.S. in Secondary Education with a focus on English Language and History. She is currently teaching 7th grade English Language Arts at The Sault Area Middle School in the rural community of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan... Read More →
KM

Kendall Moser

Sault Area Middle School
Kendall Moser is a first year teacher at Sault Area Middle School, recently graduated Suma Cum Laude from Lake Superior State University with a B.S. in Secondary Education with a focus on English Language Arts. She is currently teaching 7th grade English Language Arts. Kendall is... Read More →
Wednesday August 13, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
Room 3
  Breakout Session #2

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