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Captain John Smith's Shallop
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.
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QUIZ SHOW! What were you thinking? What did you say?
Students participate in a game show to share the information they have uncovered about the US expansion policy and how it affected Native Americans.
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Impact of Westward Expansion on Indigenous Populations
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...
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Nevada Native Seasonal Activities
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...
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Nomad Land
Young scholars 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.
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George Washington - A Graphic Novel
Students write and illustrate their own graphic novels. In this George Washington lesson plan, students collaborate to research Washington's life as surveyor, his involvement in the French and Indian War as well as the American...
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Early History of Our Lane
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.
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Forced to Move in More Ways Than One
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.
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Indian Removal
Young scholars 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...
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The Battleground: Separate and Unequal Education
Learners examine the purpose and goals of education in African American society. They analyze photos, answer discussion questions, and participate in a class discussion.
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Persistent Paths: Trails, Tracks and Turnpikes Across the Alleghenies
High schoolers study maps to determine barriers associated with the Pennsylvania mountains and the Native Americans. In this investigative lesson students study the routes used by Native Americans, explain physical features of the...
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Human Settlement and Movement
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...
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
Patriots or Traitors - Point of View in the War for Independence
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.
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The Poor People's Campaign
Learners 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...
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Navajo Weaving
Young scholars explore the Navajo culture. In this Navajo Indians instructional activity, students gain information about their weaving and dancing. Young scholars note the patterns in the weaving. Students create a dance that...
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Expansion and Reform: Applying the Declaration of Independence
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...
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Martin Luther King Jr. and Nonviolence
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...
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Changing Opinions
Students 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 experience in...
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Wilma Mankiller and the Cherokee Nation
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,...
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Picturing America: Images and Words of Hope from Romare Bearden and Langston Hughes
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...
Library of Virginia
Antebellum Freedom
From indentured servitude to involuntary race-based servitude, slavery has taken many forms in American history. Class members examine three manumission petitions that reveal how the rights of African Americans and African American...
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The Alcatraz Proclamation: A Primary Document Activity
Students investigate the Alcatraz Proclamation. In this Native American lesson, students research Native American history and activism as they examine the Alcatraz Proclamation of 1969.
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The Battleground: Separate and Unequal Education
Pupils investigate the history of unequal education in the United States and the impact on African American history. For this unequal history lesson, students discuss the purpose of education and describe an ideal school. Pupils...
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Factors that Affect Reaction Rates
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...