Young geographers examine how Crowley's Ridge was formed. This is one Arkansa's six natural geologic divisions. The history of Crowley's Ridge is important in that the first settlers of the state were attracted to this region, and it...

Fifth graders become familar with the pilgrims and first Thanksgiving through essays about important people of the time.  For this Thanksgiving lesson, 5th graders choose an important figure from the time of the Pilgrims and write a...

Students participate in a skit. In this Native American history lesson plan, students read a book about Native Americans and answer comprehension questions. Students then read a story about the Wampanoag people and work in groups to act...

Bring two integrated curriculum resources about Thanksgiving to an elementary social studies unit. The first activity focuses on Squanto's contributions to the early Pilgrims' survival with a gardening activity in which learners add...

Students explore the Manifest Destiny. They interpret quotations, study point of view in writing, research English words that derived from Mexico, and analyze reasons why settlers moved west. After writing journal entries in first-person...

Fifth graders discover the history of their hometown Des Moines River.  In this U.S. Geography lesson plan students speak with Iowans that tell stories of the settlers and early villages near the Des Moines River.  Students...

Young scholars embark on a journey through colonial times.  In this early settlement lesson, students come to understand what life was like for the settlers in the early colonies. Young scholars research and create projects...

Students learn about Mound Cities and how they both started and stopped. In this Mound lesson students explore how Mound Cities did not succeed and why. Students dig deeper then the lesson as they discuss defeat and relate it to their...

You have just hit the lesson plan jackpot! This isn't just a lesson, it's a ten-day unit covering westward expansion, pioneer life, and the Oregon Trail. Activities include baking, model building, role-play, newspaper writing, science...

Students become familiar with the achievements of the artist Faith Ringgold. They take notice of the patterns in their environment. They connect the mathematical concept of patterns to create a class quilt.

Students read about Viking exploration and complete activities based on the Indigenous people they encountered. In this Viking exploration lesson plan, students compare and contrast stories, write a character sketch, and more.

Students read about the history of cattle trails and complete language arts, math, social studies, and more activities about barbed wire. For this barbed wire lesson plan, students read poetry, research changes over time, draw cattle...

Fifth graders become familiar with the history of rice and create a board game.  In this rice lesson, 5th graders understand the history of rice through the playing of a game.  Students use  vocabulary words related to the...

Fifth graders complete an analysis of the Revolutionary War through literature. After "My Brother Sam Is Dead," students create a time capsule containing items that would be relevant during the Revolutionary War. They identify key...

Young scholars examine the differences in the working and eating conditions between the late 1800s and today. They engage in an Internet Quest for information on cheese which culminate in a hands-on cheese-making experience and tasting...

Students investigate crickets in their habitat. In this insect instructional activity, students create a cricket habitat by using a glass jar with grass clippings and cloth. Students observe how crickets interact with each other and...

Fifth graders recognize the steps to create a territory, a district and a state.  In this Iowa lesson, 5th graders discuss the three capitals and their importance.  Students recognize the key people in the development of Iowa....

Students view Ode to Chief Seattle and create an animal sculpture.  For this art lesson, students choose a variety of materials for creating an animal sculpture using flora and fauna and other environmental images.  Students...

Students create a scrapbook about Nebraska history focusing on Post Office murals. They choose their favorite murals and write a story to go along with the mural. In groups, students present their murals to the class and visit the...

Students create collages based on Juan Quick-to-See Smith's "Ode to Chief Seattle." In this shapes, symbols and Native American lesson, students examine the "Ode to Chief Seattle" and Henri Matisse's cutout work. Students design their...

Students complete worksheets and analyze passages about religious tolerance in Colonial Maryland. In this religious tolerance lesson plan, students discuss Maryland as a colony and answer short answer questions about it.