Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Populism and the People’s Party

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars examine the history of the Populist Party as it relates to its reforms and economic plight. In this Populism and the People's Party lesson, students explore why farmers experienced financial difficulty at the end of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Immigration into an Urban Industralized Northeast: 1879-1914

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study how three ethnic groups were introduced to urban, industrialize, northern cities. They examine how these groups were greeted and accepted be the 'native born' Americans and how successful they were in assimilating with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Art and National Identity: Analyzing Painting and Literature from the Era of Manifest Destiny

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars begin the lesson by discussing the causes and effects of the movement west. Using primary sources, they develop their own definition for manifest destiny. In groups, they view examples of paintings and read poems on the...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Manifest Destiny

For Students 6th - 8th
In this United States history worksheet, students utilize a word bank of 10 terms or phrases to answer 10 fill in the blank questions pertaining to Manifest Destiny. A short answer question is included as well.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The People of Kansas: Where Did They Come From and Why Did They Come?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners research and discuss the reasons why early settlers emigrated to Kansas. They, in groups, analyze census district reports from the 1850's and then identify the advantages and disadvantages of using this information as research.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Manifest Destiny and the Power of Perspective

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Pupils examine the concept of Manifest Destiny and the United States. They analyze the Mexican War from the perspective of the Mexicans and the Indians. They write an essay about these different perspectives.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The People of Kansas: Who Are They and Why Are They Here?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the settlement patterns of the Kansas Territory. In this Kansas history lesson, students analyze primary documents from the pioneers in the territory. Students write letters or perform skits that feature their findings.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Military: Map of Texas

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
The battle at the Alamo may be one of the most famous military campaigns in Texas history, but it is by no means the only one. As part of their study of the military history of Texas, class members research less-well-known sites, locate...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Utah Indian - Future Changes

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discuss and share ideas on how they think the Utah Indian tribes change in the future.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making A New Nation

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders read standard road maps and topographical maps, and examine the lives of pathfinders who opened the trails to the West. They develop Living History presentations, role-playing a character from the past.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Inventions and Effects of the Industrial Revolution

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students understand that the Industrial Revolution began in England, spreading to the rest of Western Europe and the United States and with it came an increased demand for raw materials from the Americans, Asia, and Africa.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Growing a Nation

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the major events and inventions that changed American families and communities.  In this US History lesson, 11th graders analyze various documents dealing with the changes.  Students create a project on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heaven, Hell, and Baltimore

For Teachers 8th - 12th
This lesson allows learners to research and compare the city of Baltimore to other northern cities of interest during the Great Migration. After reading a narrative entitled Return South Migration and conducting extensive research,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A House Dividing: The Growing Crisis of Sectionalism in Antebellum America

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students trace the development of sectionalism in the United States. They explore slavery, freedom and the Constitution. Students identify influential opponents and defenders of American slavery. They explain different solutions to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How We Got to Kansas-Nebraska

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the causes of the Civil War. In this lesson on slavery students use primary sources to examine the evolution of the issue of  slavery and in the American political system. Students will then write a follow-up essay...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Guilded Age

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the Gilded Age in American history. Using the internet, they research the innovations, business, and immigration during this time period. They create a PowerPoint presentation to share their information with the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jackie Steals Home

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers read articles relating to Jackie Robinson's breaking of the racial barrier in professional baseball. This leads to a deeper exploration of racism in the United States. They use a variety of worksheets imbedded in this plan...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Cherokee: Trail Where They Cried

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students read the Trail of Tears about the Cherokee Nation removal and write a letter pretending they are the grandparent of a Cherokee child. In this Trail of Tears lesson plan, students understand the changing of boundaries.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Differences in Location Lesson Plan: Treatment of Early African Americans

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students reach The Domestic Slave Trade, then examine the differences between the people enslaved in North America as opposed to those in Brazil.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The People of Kansas

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners investigate primary sources to experience first- hand accounts of Kansas pioneers. They write an historical fiction letter or skit based on territorial documents.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mixing Races in New Orleans

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students discuss the changes in the legal, social, and political status of African Americans and those of mixed ethnicity after reading the narrative, Haitian Immigration: Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forest Joe Lesson Plan: Outlaw or Hero?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students become familiar with an American legend that is unfamiliar to many. Presented with the legend of Forest Joe, a runaway slave who, much like Robin Hood, stole from the rich to give to the poor, students draw comparisons and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oregon City: A Convergence of Endings

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students describe the activities that occurred in the Willamette Valley before the establishment of the Oregon Trail and agricultural settlement and explain the impact that American settlement had on the landscape and native groups who...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"The Life of Crazy Horse" Board Game

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders read books and conduct Internet research on the life of Crazy Horse. They then use their findings to design a Crazy Horse-themed board game. Students swap and play each other's games.