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Grades level iconsGrades 6–8
Genre information iconNarrative, Poetry
Resource type iconLessons

Story Threads: Art, Identity, and Community

by 826 National
Stories are the thread that connect communities. In this lesson, students learn more about culture and identity through Dakota and Hmong textile arts, as well as reflect on their own identities.
What Your Students Will Learn

Students will learn about what makes up culture and identity, through the lens of two communities’ art forms.

Session 1
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1 Hour
Culture and Dakota Quiltmaking Traditions
In this session, students will define the cultural norms of their classroom community, after learning more about Dakota quiltmaking traditions.
Session 2
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1 Hour
Identity And Hmong Cross-Stitching Traditions
In this session, students will continue learning about how art can be used to express culture and identity—today, through the lens of a Hmong textile art called paj ntaub.
Session 3
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1 Hour
Write About Your Identity
In this final session, students will write a short poem or paragraph and create their block for your classroom art piece.
Introduction :

In this session, students will learn about the history of the Dakota people and get to know a Dakota artist, named Gwen Westerman, who uses quilts to express her cultural values and identity.

Session 1: Culture and Dakota Quiltmaking Traditions
You Will Need
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