Indigenous / Native American Experience KWL Chart – Printable & Editable

This adaptable KWL chart helps students activate background knowledge, set learning goals, and reflect on their growing understanding of Native and Indigenous American history, culture, and identity.

Originally created to accompany The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline or the pilot episode of Reservation Dogs, this resource can be used with any Indigenous literature, film, or cultural studies lesson. It’s a perfect low-prep, high-impact activity for teachers who want to center Indigenous voices, build context, and foster respectful classroom discussion.

About the Activity

Students will:

• Record what they already Know, what they Want to know, and what they’ve Learned about Indigenous experiences past and present.
• Reflect on how their understanding evolves through reading, viewing, or discussion.
• Build empathy and awareness around Indigenous representation and historical context.
• Use the reflection page to synthesize new insights about identity, resilience, and cultural continuity.

What’s Included

• Printable PDF and Editable Google Docs versions
• KWL Chart + Reflection Page

Perfect For

• Grades 7–12 ELA or Social Studies
• Indigenous Voices, Native American Heritage, or Media & Representation units
• Pre-reading for The Marrow Thieves or viewing Reservation Dogs
• Quick but high impact activation and processing activity

Why This KWL Works

• Adaptable for any Indigenous-focused lesson or unit
• Encourages curiosity and metacognition
• Promotes empathy and perspective-taking
• Helps students connect prior knowledge to new learning
• Print-ready and digital-ready for flexible classroom use