Other
Brigham Young: An American Hero
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints gives an overview of the life of Brigham Young, his accomplishments, and his conversion to Mormon faith.
Other
Kings Landing Historical Settlement
Kings Landing Historical Settlement reflects life in the 19th century. Learn about the Loyalists who escaped the American Revolution and the hardships they faced working to establish their homes in New Brunswick.
Read Works
Read Works: Heading West
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about every-day life for American pioneers. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in comparing and contrasting.
Cengage Learning
An Introduction to the Life and Writings of Willa Cather
This website is an attempt to give a comprehensive introduction to Cather's (1873-1947 CE) life and work. Aside from an introduction to the body of work, it includes a short biography, an extensive bibliography, an overview of the...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Frontier Life: Recreation and Leisure Time on the Frontier
Read about how the homesteaders on the American frontier added a little levity to their otherwise harsh frontier life, and in particular how women, how spent much time at home, worked to add variety to their lives. From a companion essay...
Energy for Sustainable Development
Esd Bulgaria: Kids & Energy: Energy Pioneers: Lee De Forest
A profile of Lee de Forest who lived from 1873 to 1961. He was one of the most important inventors of radio and electronic technology, whose inventions touch everyday life.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Texas Ranch House
What was it like to be a cowboy in 1867? Visit the Cooke Ranch and explore a cowboy's working and dwelling quarters. Play the interactive games to learn about the many aspects of daily life in the American West. (Click "Interactive...
Other
American Foundation for the Blind: Anne Sullivan Macy
A biographical overview of the life of Anne Sullivan Macy, devoted teacher of Heller Keller and a pioneer in the education of the visually impaired which earned her the nickname "miracle worker". Learn about her through her own letters,...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Our Story: Life in a Sod House
Imagine moving into a house made out of sod that you and your family had to build in the middle of a prairie! Find great information and activities that will help you understand how it felt to live on the prairie.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Westward Expansion and Reform
Part of a longer time line describing the history of the American West, this section covers the period 1829 to 1859 with hyperlinks to stories and people of this time period.
Blackdog Media
Classic Reader: "Two Pioneers" by Elia W. Peattie
Elia W. Peattie wrote about life in the West. "Two Pioneers" recounts the tale of a priest who makes friends with a "lady of the night". Read the full text on this site.
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Willa Cather Lesson Plans
Check out this informative resource to learn more about this famous author. This site features links to several other sites dedicated to Willa Cather's life and work.
Yale University
Yale: Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Journey of Discovery
This site features three novels and uses them to show middle schoolers that reading can be fun and useful. Students and teachers will benefit from this informative resource.
Oklahoma Historical Society
Oklahoma State: Nathaniel Pryor
Learn about the life of Nathaniel Pryor, and American explore who participated in the Lewis and Clark expedition and served as a captain in the war of 1812.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Reading Writing & 'Rithmetic in the One Room Schoolhouse
Comparing and contrasting are skills that are utilized in this lesson plan. Teacher resources and detailed activities will help the students learn about the schools in early America.
Nebraska Studies
Nebraska Studies: Building a Sod House
Here's great information on building sod houses. You can even watch a video of a famous two-story sod house that stood until 1967.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Lewis Howard Latimer
This is an excellent biography of Lewis Howard Latimer. It discusses his joy of learning throughout his entire life, and also includes additional links to help illustrate the topics presented.
Other
Historic Trails: Oregon/california Trails
Find a map of the Oregon Trail and California Trail and click Historical Trails tab to discover the hardships and daily grind of traveling on the Oregon Trail.
Curated OER
National Park Service: New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park: Sidney Bechet
Discover more about the life of jazz pioneer Sidney Bechet with this well written site. With his colorful personality and unique style, you will appreciate the contributions this musician had toward the development of jazz.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Archie Shepp
Learn about the life of Archie Shepp, African American tenor saxophonist, composer, dramatist, teacher, and pioneer of the free jazz movement.
Patsy Stevens
Garden of Praise: Walter Reed: Physician
The Garden of Praise profiles the life of Dr. Walter Reed (1851-1902), whose pioneering work in yellow fever research made the connection between insects and the transmission of disease. Text is geared toward younger students.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Political Activism in the Progressive Era: Becoming Helen Keller
Learn about the life and political activism of Helen Keller, one of the 20th century's human rights pioneers, in the AMERICAN MASTERS documentary Becoming Helen Keller. Utilizing video, discussion questions, teaching tips, and a...