Textbooks and classroom materials influence millions of students of all ethnic backgrounds on a daily basis. Most often, books and instructional resources are selected by school personnel, and students are expected to accept these materials as valid and accurate. Students will use any information they are exposed to in forming their understandings of and attitudes toward American Indians. Therefore, it is very important that teachers select instructional materials that do not promote existing st

Textbooks and classroom materials influence millions of students of all ethnic backgrounds on a daily basis. Most often, books and instructional resources are selected by school personnel, and students are expected to accept these materials as valid and accurate. Students will use any information they are exposed to in forming their understandings of and attitudes toward American Indians. Therefore, it is very important that teachers select instructional materials that do not promote existing stereotypes, or create new ones, or prevent students from acquiring accurate and valid information. Participants will be looking at how to help students critically analyze stories from multiple perspectives. Providing students with textbooks, primary source documents, and surviving oral traditions allow them to gain an objective view of history and provides them with a historical context in which to situate and understand the experiences and perspectives of these groups in American society today. Providing opportunities for students to critically analyze materials they can reach more informed decisions and the past, present and future.