SB 13 Lesson Plans and Implementation
This is a reminder from Oregon Department of Education (ODE) Office of Indian Education (OIE) regarding compliance with Senate Bill 13, now known as Tribal History/Shared History (TH/SH).
Overview of Senate Bill 13
Enacted in 2017, ORS 329.493 mandated the inclusion of K-12 Native American curriculum in Oregon public schools and required professional development for educators. Additionally, it provided resources to the nine federally recognized tribes of Oregon to develop place-based curriculum. You can view the full text of the legislation here:
ORS 329.493.
Lesson Plans and Implementation
Since 2017, ODE has developed several lesson plans in 4th, 8th, and 10th grades, and continues to expand lessons for all grades (K-12).
To comply with the mandate, districts must implement a minimum of one lesson in five content areas, totaling five lessons per grade level in 4th, 8th, and 10th grades. We invite you to be a co-learner in this curriculum and participate in our upcoming Community of Practice.
Details are available on the Tribal History/Shared History web page.
Lesson plans and resources can be found by visiting the
ODE Tribal History/Shared History Resources web page. Here, you will find materials for 4th, 8th, and 10th grades. Lessons are aligned with Common Core State Standards, have recommended differentiated learning techniques, are designed to fit into a variety of instructional time blocks, and include instructions for teachers. Each lesson is also aligned with one or more
Essential Understandings of Native Americans in Oregon which were developed in partnership with the Tribes. The website also includes place-based curriculum designed by Tribes. All lessons are designed to be used as provided and should not be modified.
In addition to the curriculum resources, ODE is committed to supporting educators through professional development opportunities. ODE offers asynchronous modules on the nine Essential Understandings for free, using the iLearn platform. These trainings are designed to equip teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively deliver the TH/SH lesson plans. We also encourage districts to access the Tribal Educator Toolkit for information to help facilitate implementation of the lesson plans. The OIE is making progress with development of new professional learning that centers around TH/SH lesson implementation strategies. Additionally, a Community of Practice (COP) is under development and more information will be provided later this year.
Tribal-Specific Place-Based Lesson Plans
Tribal-specific, place-based lesson plans are being developed by the Tribes, with some already completed and others still in progress. Many of these lessons are available as additional resources for districts near or adjacent to tribal homelands. We encourage the integration of lesson plans from the Tribes to provide a more comprehensive understanding of tribal history and culture which will enrich the educational experience for all students.
A list of these local, place-based lessons can be accessed online.
Best Practices
Every district should identify a Tribal History/Shared History liaison, director, or team to elevate the lessons and curriculum implementation. At the Office of Indian Education, we are eager to partner with you and will be highlighting districts who exemplify TH/SH implementation.
Contact Information
For more information, questions, or requests, please contact Brent Spencer, Indian Education Coordinator and member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Mr. Spencer is ready to support your district in the implementation of Tribal History/Shared History and you can connect with him by emailing him directly:
brent.spencer@ode.oregon.gov or via his cell at (971) 240-2910.
Thank you for your dedication to this work and for helping to create an inclusive and impactful educational environment for all students.
Supporting Student and Staff Health and Well-Being with the WSCC Model
The research on the connection between student health and learning is clear: healthy children learn better!
The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model offers a comprehensive framework to create healthier school environments for both students and staff.
How Schools Can Use the WSCC Model
The WSCC model integrates education and health by focusing on 10 interconnected components, including health education, physical activity, school nutrition, and employee wellness. Its goal is to ensure that every child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged while addressing the well-being of school staff.
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Start with Health Education: Incorporate health lessons that teach students life-long skills, like understanding nutrition labels or managing stress. These lessons don’t have to stay in the health classroom—they can connect to science, physical education, and even family engagement nights.
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Focus on the School Environment: Create a positive school climate where students feel safe and valued. This could include mental health supports, and spaces like calming rooms or outdoor learning areas to promote mindfulness and focus.
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Promote Physical Activity: Daily physical activity helps both students and staff stay energized and focused. Schools can go beyond PE classes by adding movement breaks during lessons, hosting walking clubs, or encouraging active commutes.
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Support School Nutrition Programs: Healthy students are better learners! Partner with school nutrition staff to ensure meals are nutritious and appealing. Consider garden-based learning, where students grow their own fruits and vegetables, combining hands-on learning with healthy eating habits.
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Prioritize Employee Wellness: Healthy teachers and staff create stronger support systems for students. Offer staff wellness programs, such as yoga classes, mental health resources, or professional development focused on stress management.
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Engage Families and Communities: Invite families and community organizations to collaborate on wellness initiatives. From hosting health fairs to forming wellness committees, these partnerships amplify efforts to create healthier environments.
To learn more about the WSCC model and how components like school nutrition, health services, physical activity, and health education (and more!) all intersect to support students both in and out of the classroom, check out this brief video clip: “The WSCC Model Explained.” As Lynne Shore, Food Services Director in Willamina School District, reminds us: “We are all educators… We are all cogs in this great big wheel that is making the school work and the community work and education work.”
For more information on the WSCC framework or questions about school wellness, please contact us! We would love to hear from you.