At Minneapolis' South High School in room 134, you won't find too many worksheets, tests, or textbooks.
"I like that idea," said All Nations teacher Vince Patton.
He brings a more hands-on approach.
"I want to focus on bringing history alive," said Patton.
For his Native American students bringing history alive sometimes means taking the lessons well beyond the classroom.
"Those are what give students an opportunity to grow, flourish and find a connection to their own self," said Patton.
More than 600 miles away is the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
"This here is a different kind of classroom," said Patton.
That is home to Vince's ancestors, home of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and the home of Vince's next lesson for five of his Native American students.
"It's our culture," said student Kaina.
Four other students were with her.
They joined Vince and his family to learn of a sacred Native American tradition, the buffalo hunt.
"Because it was like our modern day Walmart. We could get everything from our housing, our clothes, our food, our art supply, our tools from this animal," said Patton.
It was near Allen, South Dakota, they found the herd.
"See if we don't scare them away," said Vince's father Chuck.
He was the marksman as the students look on.
With one shot, he's able to bring it down.
"Done. We got it," said Chuck.
Each one of them thanks the animal for its life.
"Feed a lot of kids with this," said Chuck.
"This is like taking it back," said Devon, a student at South High School.
The buffalo is moved and cut into pieces.
It provides food ,but more importantly it provides an important lesson in culture and tradition for these five students.
"Is going to be one of those things that will stick with my students long after they graduate. Will lead to a stronger, healthier better life for our kids," said Patton.
It's this kind of hands-on experience Vince wants for his students. A lesson that cannot be taught in a classroom.
"I really love you guys and I really hope that this experience changes your life," said Patton speaking to his students.
Vince was issued a tribal permit to harvest the buffalo.
He says the meat will be brought back here to Minnesota and will feed about 2,000 students, families, and community members during the high school's annual Pow Wow in the spring.