Early Inhabitants Lesson Plans

Students investigate the early citizens of Virginia. They focus on the explorers that include Juan Ponce de Leon, Jaques Cartier, and Christopher Newport. Students conduct research using a variety of resources and the lesson includes some sample websites.

Second graders study Native American Kalapuyan culture. In this American History lesson, 2nd graders discover the early inhabitants of their community. They take a field trip to Dorris Ranch.

Students investigate the geography of North America by viewing and identifying places on a map.  For this U.S. Geography lesson, students view a PowerPoint slide show discussing the immigration to the U.S.A.  Students define several vocabulary terms associated with the immigration to North America.

Fifth graders complete a unit on early explorers. They develop a timeline, sing a Viking song, watch a video, compile a checklist of supplies needed for an expedition, participate in a scavenger hunt, write a letter from Christopher Columbus, and create a brochure.

Young scholars explore the first civilizations in America and their reasons for migrating south. Using the internet, they study the culture, religion, achievements, and economy of the Olmecs, Myans and Aztecs. Groups of students present their research to the class.

Students determine that the lands the English settled on were owned and inhabited by 70,000 Indians. They consider that the London Company sold land charters to the English, which gave them illegal title to lndian land and that the Puritans established the largest colony, Massachusetts Bay Colony, which had two branches: Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Students focus on the geography of the countries of South America. Using a map, they identify the European countries who claimed the South American countries and research the influences they had on South America. To end the lesson, they write an essay about the South American country they want to live in with supporting details.

Students describe alternative theories for how the first humans cane to America.  In this human origin lesson students study the origins of the first Americans. 

Students apply their knowledge of geography. In this geography skills lesson, students read brief selections regarding early Americans. Students respond to the questions included in the self-guided map skills lesson.

Students describe theories on how the first humans came to America and show the evidence that supports it.  In this investigative lesson students study given material and prepare written or oral reports in their groups.