Course Objective #1

Analyze contemporary Indigenous literature, visual art, music, poetry, and digital media, recognizing how artists communicate ideas about identity, sovereignty, community, history, and the future.

Course Objective #2

Apply strategies from museum education and inquiry-based learning—including close looking, curation, and thematic interpretation—to support student learning.

Course Objective #3

Evaluate contemporary Indigenous resources and identify opportunities to incorporate them into existing curriculum.

Course Logistics

Dates Spring 2027: Wednesday, March 10 to Tuesday, April 6, 2027 Grade Levels Supported: Especially for middle and high school educators Course Format: Online, asynchronous Professional Development Points (PDPs): 22.5 PDPs  Graduate Credit: 1 optional graduate credit available ($180) with credit accreditation through Southern New Hampshire University Fee: $750 (contact us at [email protected] to enroll in the course using a Purchase Order)

Massachusetts Standards & Professional Alignment

[USI.T2.3] Analyze the causes and long and short term consequences of America’s westward expansion… the concept of Manifest Destiny and pan-Indian resistance;  [USI.T6.5] Analyze the consequences of the continuing westward expansion of the American people after the Civil War and evaluate the impact of the 14th Amendment on Native Peoples;  [USII.T4.8.f] the movement to protect the rights, self-determination, and sovereignty of Native Peoples (e.g., the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968, the American Indian Movement, the Wounded Knee Incident at the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota in 1973, the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975, and the efforts of Native Peoples’ groups to preserve Native cultures, gain federal or state recognition and raise awareness of Native American history).

Course Overview

5 Chapters · 45 Lessons

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Course Overview

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      Image Credits

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      Indigenous Expressions: Literature and Arts in the Secondary Classroom Course Syllabus

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      Course Guidelines

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      Discussion Forum Guidelines

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      Final Course Assignment Guidelines

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      Final Course Assignment Guidelines

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      Graduate Credit Assignment & Registration Information

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      Session One Readings & Activities

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      Reflection: Mapping Your Starting Point

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      Left/Right Annotations, TQE Method, and Perspectives on Indigenous Expression

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      Activity: Contemporary Indigenous Art Gallery Walk

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      Podcast: The Work of Debbie Reese

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      Poet Spotlight: nila northSun

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      Living Nations, Living Words

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      Discussion Forum: Session One

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      Session Two Readings & Activities

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      Final Course Project Introduction

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      Scholar Presentation: Curating 101 with Marina Tyquiengco

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      Contemporary Indigenous Music Exploration

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      Activity: Virtual Book Fair

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      Initial Exhibit Planning and Brainstorming

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      Discussion Forum: Session Two

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      Session Three Readings & Activities

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      Exhibition Exploration: An Indigenous Present

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      Abstraction Through Portraiture: Mary Sully's Personality Prints

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      Curating Connections: On This Ground and Will Wilson

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      Marina Tyquiengco: Environmental Justice and Indigenous Expression

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      Louise Erdrich: Holy Rage: Lessons from Standing Rock

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      Listening to Stand Rock with Raven Chacon

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      Silent Choir

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      Synthesis

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      Discussion Forum: Session Three

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      Final Project Work Time

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      Session Four Readings & Activities

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      Sonya Ballantyne Short Essay

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      A Conversation about Indigenous Futurisms

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      Indigenous Futurism in Literature

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      Indigenous Futurisms Across Creative Media

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      Choose a Medium to Explore Indigenous Futurisms

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      Discussion Forum: Session Four

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      Final Course Project

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      Post-Course Survey

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      Final Project Submission

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Graduate Credit Project Submission

What our Educators are Saying

Join hundreds of educators across Greater Boston (and beyond!) who trust Primary Source for engaging, high quality professional development.

”
I have brought in so many resources, projects, and knowledge to the classroom because of these classes. My students have a richer, more intentional outlook on what we study.
 

 

The access to these courses is such an asset. Within my department, I have taught several different curricula, and Primary Source has been such a resource for me to help me feel more comfortable with historical context for texts that are new to me. 
 

 

Primary Source programs have introduced me to a variety of perspectives along with concrete strategies of how to incorporate them into my classroom. I leave every session with a lesson that I can immediately implement. 
 

 

About Primary Source

Primary Source educates global citizens by working with teachers to foster students’ knowledge, skills, and dispositions for thoughtful and engaged citizenship. With our guidance and resources, teachers cultivate students’ civic-mindedness, cultural awareness, and global competence, preparing them for our increasingly diverse and interconnected world. We collaborate with teachers, schools, and educational organizations to offer professional development programs and resources that help make global, civics, and cultural education an integral part of every student’s classroom experience. Our engaging face-to-face and online programs, curriculum resources, and international study tours enhance global understanding, civic engagement, and cultural understanding, and help thousands of teachers every year bring the wider world to their students. To learn more, visit our homepage at primarysource.org!