Curated OER
Learning with Lewis and Clark
Students visit the Lewis and Clark Era in the Time Machine link, to build interest. They then explore first hand the missions of the Corps of Discovery; mapping the American West, examining the natural landscape, flora and fauna, and...
Curated OER
Don't Fence Me In
Ensure that your class has a well-rounded understanding of new inventions, in this case barbed wired. Class members, after researching the history and development of barbed wire, assess its impact on cattle and the development of the...
Curated OER
Let's Party like its 1849
Students explore prairie life. In this Oregon Trail lesson, students read literature regarding the move west and participate in cross-curricular activities. Students should take digital photographs of the participation in activities and...
Curated OER
Binary and Communication Systems
Students participate in an activity that introduces them to the concept of binary coding as a language. They decode messages using special boards that has its own code for different letters. They create new codes by rearranging wires...
Curated OER
History of Mythology, Astronomy and Astrology
Ninth graders examine the relationships of science and technology and how it influences people's perceptions of places. In this mythology and astronomy lesson students view a PowerPoint presentation and complete a...
Curated OER
Stone Passing Game with Calabash Song
Students discuss games and their use around the world in many different cultures and how music and games are related. They discuss the rules of West African game then play a game from West Africa and review and learn the "Calabash" song...
Curated OER
Diseases of the Oregon Trail
Students identify diseases that plagued the pioneers and find preventative measures to avoid them. In this Oregon Trail lesson, students brainstorm possible health problems and diseases for pioneers. They then research a...
Curated OER
The World On a String
Students connect a string to one another where they each represent a country and share problems of their imports and exports. In this imports and exports lesson plan, students pull on strings and the students that feel the tug realize...
Curated OER
Being There: Exploring China And Japan
Students discover the culture, society, geography, and history of Asia through games, food, art, and literature in this multi-day instructional activity about China and Japan. An exciting instructional activity for upper-elementary or...
Curated OER
Rain
Students are introduced to the Native American game called "Rain" and develop cooperative learning skills. In this Native American game lesson, students sit in a circle and discuss how games reflect the environment the children...
Great Schools
My First Presidential Election
Register, establish a platform, make campaign speeches, and design campaign advertisements with a study of presidential elections. Young citizens engage in various activities that mimic the election process.
Curated OER
Manifest Destiny
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...
Curated OER
Music Activity at Family Math Night
Students work with a family member in placing all of the music notes on a staff board. They try to match the rhythm on the rhythm board and show their completed song to the teacher.
Curated OER
Birds and Migration
Students actively simulate bird migration. In this animal migration lesson, students participate in an activity that simulates the migration of birds. The teacher discusses with the class the hazards and difficulties birds face during...
Curated OER
West Virginia Quarter Reverse: Over, Under, In, and Out
Students examine the images on the West Virginia quarter reverse. Using the quarter design as a model, the discover the meaning of directional terms. They play a game where they have to listen to and follow directions and complete a...
Curated OER
The Sexton and the Compass
Students evaluate how movement patterns create and affect interdependence. They analyze the interactions within and between regions and engage in artistic inquiry, exploration, and discovery in collaboration with others. They design...
Curated OER
An Age of Exploration
Students investigate U.S. history by examining North American timelines. In this American exploration lesson, students research the events that led to Columbus finding America and participate in a jeopardy game regarding his adventure....
Curated OER
Mapping Your Schoolyard Habitat
Students explore the terrain, structures, plants and signs of habitats around their schoolyard. They draw a sketch map showing the different areas around the schoolyard. Students identify the location of weeds and native plants on their...
Curated OER
That's NorthEastWestSouth to Me!
Students demonstrate north, south, east and west. In groups, students participate in games to decide what directions a specific bear must travel. They play a "Simon Says" game to develop single step directions. Students listen to and...
Curated OER
European Explorers
Students research one of seventeen explorers before filling in a worksheet. Next, they write a song verse using the information and sing it to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." On the next day, they play a game of "Who Am I?" using...
Curated OER
No Vehicles in the Park: Working with Legislation
Students in pairs, or groups of three, determine if the "No Vehicles in the Park" law has been violated in each of the following situations. Let students know that it is not the definition of "vehicles" that is in question in all c
Curated OER
Delightful Directions
First graders identify and demonstrate how symbols and models are used to represent features of the environment. They identify the directions on a map as east, west, north, and south. Finally, 1st graders play a direction game, move to...
Curated OER
Whats so Different Between Them
Students evaluate primary sources. In this Westward Expansion activity, students will write essays that compare and contrast the differences and similarities between pioneers and Native Americans. Students will engage in a wide variety...
Curated OER
Word Wall, If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon
Third graders use vocabulary from "If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon" to play a game.