Curated OER
Mountain Man Measurement Activity
Fourth graders discover the history of the Utah Mountain Men and utilize their math skills simultaneously. In this cross-curricular history and measurement lesson, 4th graders read about the Utah Mountain Men and the challenges they...
Curated OER
Trailblazers- Now and Then
Students examine and study the routes of trailblazers. In this American history lesson, students find a route on a map and compare that to the route of trailblazers. Students will then compare that map with a topographical map to...
Curated OER
Who is Who in the Old West?
Students consider the backgrounds of those who settled the Old West. In this Westward Expansion activity, students participate in a simulation that requires them to role play miners, ranchers, Native Americans, Chinese, African...
Curated OER
Kate Fowler: Tory Spy
Fourth graders study the American Revolution and several key aspects and people involved in it. In this American Revolution lesson, 4th graders study the land grant for British colonists. Students read the 'The Legend of Kate Fowler' and...
Curated OER
Native Lands: Indian in Georgia
Students bring in vegetables that the Native Americans ate. In this vegetable lesson, students create a graph that shows how many students brought in each vegetable. They measure their vegetable to find the length, circumference, and...
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.
Curated OER
General Greene to General Marion: Your State is Invaded, Your All is at Stake
Third graders examine the contributions of Francis Marion and Nathaneal Greene. In this Revolutionary War lesson, 3rd graders use primary and secondary sources to research Marion and Greene and the accomplishments of their men during the...
Curated OER
Influential Groups In Colorado's History
Fourth graders watch a teacher made PowerPoint presentation that introduces the study of Colorado's history. They view images and listen to music that is indicative of the mountain men, miners, pioneers, the Spanish, and Native Americans...
Curated OER
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre: An American Grail?
Students discuss the possibility of a treasure lost in the Sierra Madre mountains that could be considered the American holy grail. After reading a novel, they examine the relationship between the grail, gold, and characters. To end the...
Curated OER
The Whiskey Rebellion and the New American Republic
Young scholars examine the implications of the passage of the Whiskey Tax of 1791. In this Whiskey Rebellion lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of the rebellion. Young scholars respond to...
Curated OER
Native American Legends, Folk Stories and Tales
Students write an Indian tale explaining a natural event, an animal characteristic,
Curated OER
The Adventure Begins: "Boys I Believe I Have Found a Gold Mine!"
Pupils view and discuss historical documents regarding Native Americans and Californians prior to the gold rush in the 1940's. They complete a variety of activities designed to show what they have learned from these sources and class...
Curated OER
The Cherokee: The Principal People (Ani-Yunwiya), 1700 - 1838
Students read passages and research the Cherokee Tribe and write an account of a typical day as a Cherokee Native American. In this Cherokee lesson plan, students listen to Cherokee music, read Cherokee passages, fill out worksheets, and...
Curated OER
You Decide
Fourth graders, who live on a Native American reservation, investigate how land management is addressed at Tribal Council meetings. They participate in a simulation of a meeting as the discover the workings of tribal government. They...
Curated OER
Heritage: Famous People of the West
Fourth graders investigate the impact of Brigham Young and Jim Bridger on westward expansion. They conduct research, develop a class information chart, and create a cartoon strip depicting what happened when Jim Bridger and Brigham Young...
Curated OER
Making a Brand for Ourselves the "Cowboy" Way
Pupils define cowboys and learn about their roles on rangelands. In this rangeland lesson, students define cowboys and cowgirls and complete a KWL chart. Pupils read Cattle Kids and Til the Cows Come Home. Students visit the Diamond...
National First Ladies' Library
Who Wants to be a Pioneer?
Students write a story based on their research of the Oregon Trail. Using the Internet and traditional sources, they engage in research about pioneer's experiences on the Oregon Trail during westward expansion. Students write a story...
Curated OER
Westward Expansion
Eighth graders explore the components of the Westward Movement in the United States. Understanding the past and the linkages it has to the present is the intended goal of this seventeen day unit.
Curated OER
Trailblazers - Now and Then
Students, working in pairs, use maps to determine the most efficient routes between two cities. They research which route would have been used by early trailblazers. They present a first person account of one of the trailblazers place in...
Curated OER
Indian Removal: The Cherokees, Jackson, and the “Trail of Tears”
Young scholars examine executive power. In this Indian Removal lesson plan, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the "Trail of Tears". Young scholars respond to discussion questions regarding the...
Small Planet Communications
Civil War
Students discuss political, social, and personal issues relating to the Civil War from various perspectives using internet sources. Students write various selections from Civil War characters' point of view.
Library of Congress
Loc: Teachers: Journeys West
A series of lessons utilizing primary texts, including narratives, photographs, and maps, through which students explore the following question: "What motivated thousands of people to journey west during the 1800s?"