+
Activity
Smarter Balanced

American West in the 1800s

For Teachers 8th - 12th
To establish a context for an assessment or a study of pioneers and the American frontier in the 1800s, groups examine photos and record observations about clothing, housing, and travel.
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Frontier and Frontiersmen

For Students 3rd - 4th
In this frontier worksheet, students read a 2 page article on the early frontier life, answer 5 facts from the article with multiple choice answers and determine if 2 statements are true or false.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pioneer Women of Florida's Frontier

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders read the passage, "Florida's Fabulous Frontier Females" and write two narrative essays, one expository, using examples of differences in life in Florida during frontier times and today. They then complete one descriptive...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plows on the Hunting Ground

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders read and discuss the "Indian Allotment Act". Students compare communal and private property we have today. Students research Indian tribes online and write about their way of life and traditions during the 1880s. ...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Frontier Wars of the 1790s

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore the frontier wars of the 1790s. After researching one battle, teams of students prepare a presentation for the class. Students compare and contrast the Columbian Tragedy with "broadsides" that were printed to announce...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Battle for San Juan Hill: Santiago, Cuba, July 1, 1898

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders design and create a poster, advertising for recruitment of volunteers to serve with Teddy Roosevelt in the 1st Volunteer Calvary Regiment. Students create a historical newspaper front page, from the time period, which...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pontiac's War

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students interpret primary sources concerning Pontiac's Rebellion. They are able to explain the motives behind the attack on the British. Students predict possible outcomes of Pontiac's Rebllion.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Going West

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students examine the lives of early pioneers who traveled west for better opportunities. They listen to story "Josafina and the Story Quilt", and discuss hardships encountered by traveling families. Students then complete research and...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

THE MASSACHUSETSS FRONTIER:TURNER

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Pupils examine the political, social, religious, and economic world and national context in which the settlement of Deerfield occurred and the competing political agendas, and competition for land, power, and wealth in Deerfield.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

English Settlement

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Young scholars study the development of the New England colonies, their rationale for settlement, and the importance of Puritan theology in this development. They research towns in England and their copies in Massachusetts.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Farming on the Virginia Frontier

For Teachers 4th - 5th
In this social studies worksheet, students discover how early frontier settlers in Virginia planted and raised their crops. Students read an information paragraph and answer 5 questions.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Day in the Life

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Learners examine the various roles people played on the 19th century Texas frontier. Using the internet, they get to know five residents of Fort Griffin and take notes on their characteristics. They choose one person to research more...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 3: Making a Living

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students, in groups, create hypothetical financial plans for a colonial Maine family living on the frontier.
+
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Born on a Mountaintop: Davy Crockett, Tall Tales & History

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
These four lesson plans integrate the life of Davy Crockett and the tall tales that were created about him. Includes a printable rubric, activity extensions, links, and much more!
+
Activity
Chase Young, PhD

Dr. Chase Young, Ph D: Reader's Theater Script: The King of the Wild Frontier [Pdf]

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
A reader's theater script for The King of the Wild Frontier, a short biography of Davy Crockett. Five character roles are needed in this activity.
+
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs the West: The Nez Perce and the Dawes Act

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This companion article from the PBS series, "New Perspectives on the West," offers a lesson plan which approaches the Dawes Act from the perspective of the Nez Perce.
+
Handout
Other

Pony Express: History of the Pony Express

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the beginnings of the Pony Express, the requirements to be a rider, and find out why this mail delivery system ended.
+
Interactive
Other

Texas Beyond History: Kids Only?

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Engaging games about Texas History. Adobe Flash is required for some of the games and will not launch.
+
Website
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: Davy Crockett (In Spanish)

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about one of the most interesting early Americans. From Tennessee to Congress to the Alamo, find out what drove this extraordinary man.
+
Article
Texas Department of Public Safety

Txdps: Texas Rangers: Historical Development

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief article about the Texas Rangers, the oldest law enforcement organization on the North American continent with statewide jurisdiction.
+
Website
Other

At Home in the Heartland: At Home on the Fringes of the Prairie (1800 1850)

For Students 3rd - 5th
Interactive site offers information and pictures pertaining to early pioneer life. See advertisements in the paper, furniture, glassware, and food preparation tools. Read stories of individuals who lived during that time and make...
+
Handout
Other

The Great Plains in Midwestern Culture

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the history of the people on the Great Plains, both the Native Americans and early settlers.
+
Handout
Other

Women in History: Mary Fields

For Students 3rd - 8th
This site contains facts about the life of Stagecoach Mary Fields (1832-1913).
+
Primary
Mount Holyoke College

Hippo Campus: Excerpt From "The Significance of the Frontier in American History"

For Students 9th - 10th
Read an excerpt from "The Significance of the Frontier in American History" by Frederick Jackson Turner.