Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Captain John Smith's Shallop

For Teachers 4th - 5th Standards
Young explorers, all aboard the shallop to discover how early European explorers would navigate the American coastline to find resources, map terrain, and trade with Native American tribes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

QUIZ SHOW! What were you thinking? What did you say?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners participate in a game show to share the information they have uncovered about the US expansion policy and how it affected Native Americans.
Lesson Plan
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Impact of Westward Expansion on Indigenous Populations

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study the impact of westward expansion on Native American populations. They create a diorama of a Native American scene, write imaginary letters as a pioneer child reflecting on his/her experiences, and create story sticks that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nevada Native Seasonal Activities

For Teachers 4th
Here is an excellent series of lessons on the Paiute Indians of Nevada. In them, learners see that the four Native Tribes of Nevada respected and depended on their natural environment. They had four distinct ways of life according to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nomad Land

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the migratory movements of animals as they monitor their own movements throughout the school day. Climatic and feeding conditions are examined as cues for the movement.
Lesson Plan
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George Washington - A Graphic Novel

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students write and illustrate their own graphic novels. For this George Washington lesson, students collaborate to research Washington's life as surveyor, his involvement in the French and Indian War as well as the American Revolution,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early History of Our Lane

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders study Native American Kalapuya culture. In this American History lesson, 2nd graders discover the early inhabitants of their community. They take a field trip to Dorris Ranch.
Lesson Plan
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Forced to Move in More Ways Than One

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore the Native American movement. They study the Indian Removal Act of 1830, the Dawes Act of 1887, and the Indian Boarding Schools in 1887. They research each episode and create a Venn diagram poster.
Lesson Plan
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Indian Removal

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners investigate the historical events surrounding The Trail of Tears. They write a letter that identifies the people, destination, events, and descriptions surrounding the timeframe. Students provide a written summary of the history...
Lesson Plan
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The Battleground: Separate and Unequal Education

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Young scholars examine the purpose and goals of education in African American society. They analyze photos, answer discussion questions, and participate in a class discussion.
Lesson Plan
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Persistent Paths: Trails, Tracks and Turnpikes Across the Alleghenies

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers study maps to determine barriers associated with the Pennsylvania mountains and the Native Americans.  In this investigative lesson plan learners study the routes used by Native Americans, explain physical features of...
Lesson Plan
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Human Settlement and Movement

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to the way humans have settled and moved throughout history. In groups, they compare and contrast the settlement and movement of two different ethnic groups. They discover why some are more dominate in an area...
Lesson Plan
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media

Patriots or Traitors - Point of View in the War for Independence

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Patriots or traitors? Class members analyze images that present widely differing views of the Boston Tea Party, identifying the point of view of the image, the propaganda devices used, and the intended audience.
Lesson Plan
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The Poor People's Campaign

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students research and analyze the campaign that was conceived by Dr. Martin Luther King, The Poor People's Campaign. The concepts of poverty and cultural diversity along with the Civil Rights Movement is also covered in detail within...
Lesson Plan
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Navajo Weaving

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the Navajo culture. In this Navajo Indians lesson, students gain information about their weaving and dancing. Students note the patterns in the weaving. Students create a dance that corresponds with the patterns they see...
Lesson Plan
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Expansion and Reform: Applying the Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students conduct inquiries and research-acquiring, organizing, analyzing, interpreting, evaluating, and communicating facts, themes, and general principles operating in American history. They use the Declaration of Independence to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Martin Luther King Jr. and Nonviolence

For Teachers K - 5th
Using the book, Martin's Big Words, learners will discover the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Vocabulary is identified throughout the story by using several his famous protest speeches as examples. Class discussions on racism, during...
Lesson Plan
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Changing Opinions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers compare their preconceptions of Native American movement with their current perceptions. They identify why they have changed. Students conclude with a final reflection addressing how they define the Native American...
Lesson Plan
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Wilma Mankiller and the Cherokee Nation

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students examine how Wilma Mankiller became the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. They listen to a teacher-led lecture, write a letter to President Andrew Jackson, participate in a jigsaw activity, conduct research,...
Lesson Plan
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Picturing America: Images and Words of Hope from Romare Bearden and Langston Hughes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
A carefully crafted three-day instructional activity integrates poetry and visual art. By analyzing and comparing Langston Hughes' poem "Mother and Son" and Romare Bearden's collage "The Dove," readers explore the theme of hope. The...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Alcatraz Proclamation: A Primary Document Activity

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners investigate the Alcatraz Proclamation. In this Native American lesson, students research Native American history and activism as they examine the Alcatraz Proclamation of 1969.
Lesson Plan
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The Battleground: Separate and Unequal Education

For Teachers 5th - Higher Ed
Students investigate the history of unequal education in the United States and the impact on African American history. In this unequal history lesson, students discuss the purpose of education and describe an ideal school. Students...
Lesson Plan
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Factors that Affect Reaction Rates

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Collaborating chemistry pupils observe that temperatrue increases the movement of dye throughout water, stirring increases the dissolving rate of sugar cubes, and concentration of solutions increases the chemical reaction rates. These...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Love And Marriage

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine and compare Indian and American culture in order to develop a better understanding of both.