19th Century Events Lesson Plans

Third graders discuss the farming life in 19th century New England. In this New England instructional activity, 3rd graders watch a DVD and listen to a story describing this time period. They answer questions and create a Venn Diagram poster showing Work in the 19th Century and Work today. 

Learners research the differences between traveling on a stagecoach and wagon trail in the 19th century. In this historical lesson, students discover the uses of stagecoaches and wagon trails in the 19th century, then decide which one they would have preferred to ride.

Young scholars interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this immigration instructional activity, students research immigration to the United States in the latter half of the 19th century and discuss the motivation for it. Young scholars also discuss the effect of immigration on the Industrial Revolution.

Students investigate the advancements the Morse code made possible. In this technology lesson, students discover the impact that the telegraph had on communication in 19th century America. Students examine primary documents and share the information with their classmates.

Students analyze 19th century cartoons on segregation. In this primary source lesson students examine primary source documents and identify the elements of a cartoon then create their own based on The Outsiders by SE Hinton.

Students examine campaign songs from the 1840, 1848, and 1860 elections to explore the campaign strategies of 19th century political parties.

Students evaluate the impact of transportation on society, the economy, communication, and travel. They complete an inquiry project about modern modes of transportation, and compare transportation of the 19th century to transportation today.

Students research and examine primary sources concerning the Washington Territory. In this Native American removal activity, students view portrait images created by Gustav Sohon. Students then read several biographies that correspond to Sohon's portraits of notable Native Americans of the 19th century.

Learners compare and contrast the elements used in the 19th century British novel and those novels in American society today. In groups, they brainstorm what it might have been like to be a teenager growing up in England during the 19th century and compare it with the information they gather from the novel itself.

Fifth graders examine significant events in Post-Civil War America. For this Post-Civil War lesson, 5th graders investigate the important events after the war in 19th century America. They read primary source documents about six topics which include steamboats, Erie Canal, railroad, and the Free Market system. They research the importance of inventions and innovations that came into being soon after the War and examine how life changed due to the Industrial Revolution.