Lesson Plans

Teacher's Guides & Lesson Plans

Free downloadable educator resources created to accompany Salina Bookshelf titles. Each guide includes cultural background, classroom activities, discussion questions, and standards-aligned unit plans.

The Hogan That Great-Grandfather Built book cover

The Hogan That Great-Grandfather Built

Shicheisaní Hooghan Áyiilah

Grade 2 ELA Social Studies 5-Day Unit

A complete teacher's guide exploring Navajo family life, the sacred hogan, and the concept of hózhó (beauty and balance). Includes cultural background, a 5-day Grade 2 ELA unit plan, daily activities, discussion questions, a bibliography of related texts, and alignment to Arizona ELA, Social Studies, and ELD standards.

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The Navajo Year: Walk Through Many Seasons book cover

The Navajo Year: Walk Through Many Seasons

Dinéjí yihah Bii' Oodááł

Grades 1–3 ELA ELD 5-Day Unit

A rich educator's guide to the Navajo calendar, seasons, and cultural traditions. Includes illustration-based discussion questions, classroom activities (seasonal charts, string game practice, family storytelling), a 5-day Grades 1–3 ELD unit plan, and alignment to Arizona ELA, Social Studies, and ELD standards.

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When You See The World book cover

When You See The World

Grade 3 Social Studies ELA 5-Day Unit

A teacher's guide exploring how Indigenous communities around the world — Diné, Skwxwú7mesh, Māori, and Arrernte — relate to the land, community, and identity. Includes a 5-day Grade 3 Social Studies unit plan, Indigenous scenario and role-play cards for four communities, embedded ELA and Navajo language activities, and alignment to Arizona Grade 3 Geography, Civics, History, and Economics standards.

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Running with Changing Woman book cover

Running with Changing Woman

Grades 6–8 ELD Social Studies SEL

A comprehensive educator's guide centered on Asdzą́ą́ Nádleehi (Changing Woman), the most revered figure in Navajo tradition. Includes a 12-day ELD unit and a 10-day Social Studies & SEL unit for Grade 6, with discussion questions, cultural background on the Kinaaldá ceremony, and alignment to Arizona ELP Standards (Grades 6–8) and Grade 6 Social Studies standards.

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Jóhonaa'éí: Bringer of Dawn book cover

Jóhonaa'éí: Bringer of Dawn

Grades 1–3 Science Bilingual 5-Day Unit

A bilingual English/Navajo teacher's guide exploring animal habitats, survival, and environmental change through the lens of Diné cultural teachings. Includes a 5-day Grade 1–3 science unit plan with hands-on activities, discussion questions, and alignment to Arizona Science and ELA standards.

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Frog Brings Rain book cover

Frog Brings Rain / Ch'ał Tó Yinílo'

K–Grade 1 Science Bilingual 5-Day Unit

A bilingual science guide connecting the water cycle, weather, and living things to Diné cultural teachings on water and Hózhó. Includes a 5-day Grade 1 unit plan with inquiry activities, discussion questions, and alignment to Arizona Science Standards and Arizona ELP Standards 1–4 and 6.

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Fall in Line, Holden! book cover

Fall in Line, Holden!

Grades 1–3 Social Studies ELD SEL

A teacher's guide exploring resilience, identity, and the historical context of Navajo boarding schools through Holden's story. Includes two 5-day unit plans — Social Studies (Grades 1–3) and ELD (Grade 3) — with discussion questions, SEL connections, and alignment to Arizona Social Studies and ELD standards.

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The Three Little Sheep book cover

The Three Little Sheep / Dibé Yázhí Táa'go Baa Hane'

K–Grade 3 ELD ELA Bilingual

A bilingual teacher's guide featuring narrative comprehension, character analysis, vocabulary, and a full Readers' Theater script in both English and Navajo. Includes a 5-day Grade 3 ELD unit plan, cultural studies connections, and alignment to Arizona ELD/ELA and Social Studies standards.

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Becoming Miss Navajo book cover

Becoming Miss Navajo

Grade 6 Social Studies ELA 3-Day Unit

A teacher's guide exploring Navajo womanhood, language, and cultural leadership through the lens of the Miss Navajo Nation pageant. Includes a 3-day Grade 6 Social Studies unit on civic virtue, cultural identity, and continuity, with discussion questions, writing tasks, and alignment to Arizona Grade 6 Social Studies standards.

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Keepers of the Windclaw Chronicles: The Mockingbird's Manual book cover

Keepers of the Windclaw Chronicles: The Mockingbird's Manual

Grade 4 ELD Science 8-Day Unit

A teacher's guide connecting Navajo bird knowledge, ecology, and cultural identity through Ellie Tsosie's discovery of a book that lets her speak with birds. Includes an 8-day Grade 4 ELD unit plan, chapter-by-chapter comprehension questions, vocabulary in English and Navajo, and alignment to Arizona ELD Standards 4.1–4.4.

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Keepers of the Windclaw Chronicles: The Day of Storms book cover

Keepers of the Windclaw Chronicles: The Day of Storms

Grades 1–3 ELA Science 6-Day Unit

A teacher's guide following Ellie Tsosie and Hopi girl Rachel Whitehorse as they connect Navajo and Hopi desert landscapes to lessons about animal adaptation, weather, and cultural identity. Includes a 6-day Grade 3 ELA unit with bilingual Navajo/English vocabulary, illustration-based activities, and alignment to Arizona ELA, Science, Social Studies, and Diné Standards.

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Keepers of the Windclaw Chronicles: The Great Gathering book cover

Keepers of the Windclaw Chronicles: The Great Gathering

Grade 3 ELA Diné Studies 5-Day Unit

A teacher's guide exploring Hózhó, K'é, and the interconnection of humans, animals, and land through Ellie and Alvin's journey across Defiance Plateau and Spider Rock. Includes a Grade 3 ELA unit plan with chapter-by-chapter activities, bilingual Navajo/English vocabulary, cross-curricular connections to science and cultural studies, and alignment to Arizona ELA Standards 3.RL.1–3.RL.7.

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