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Decision-Making Scenerios

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders review what they have gathered on the Gold Rush and how the Native Americans lived in the Plains. Using a worksheet, they choose one scenerio they would have liked to be a part of and write their opionions about it...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chinese Immigration in the Mid-19th Century

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Chinese immigration lesson, students research the Chinese immigration between 1850 and 1882.
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Lesson Plan
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"Go West, Young Man!"

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine reasons why people migrated west. They describe how the geography of the U.S. changed in the 19 th century and design a PowerPoint presentation to convey factors for westward expansion.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Road to California - A Journey to Freedom

For Teachers K - 5th
Students complete a Web quest about Biddy Mason's journey Westward to California as a slave and her ultimate rise to one of the wealthiest and generous woman of the Westward Movement. They present an exhibit of their research.
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Lesson Plan
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Links to the Past

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners use documents from California As I Saw It: First Person Narratives, 1849-1900 , in American Memory to create a script depicting the motivations, expectations, fears, and realizations of immigrants who settled California between...
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Lesson Plan
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The Embodied Presidency

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders discover details about Thomas Jefferson's life. For this early American history lesson, 8th graders view a PowerPoint presentation that outlines some aspects of Jefferson's life. Students research the life of slaves at...
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Lesson Plan
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Rincon History Museum

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students visit the Rincon History Museum in California. They discover different periods in the state's history and discuss. They view the art and explain what can be learned from it.
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Lesson Plan
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Savvy in Sacramento

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Pupils take a field trip to the state capital, Sacramento. Using the Internet, they explain the physical and human geographic features of the area and discuss interactions between the people of California between the time of explorers...
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Lesson Plan
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Pushing the Boundaries: The Pioneer Spirit

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders recognize how social reform occurred at the turn of the century. Through a debate, 11th graders determine advantages and drawbacks of traveling west using original sources and descriptions of the attitudes, beliefs, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Industrial Revolution

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the time period of the Industrial revolution in American history.  In this American History lesson, 8th graders read the chapter on this time period.  Students create a presentation on this time period to teach...
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Lesson Plan
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BEGINNER LEVEL LESSON PLAN

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students are be able to analyze primary sources (photographs) for evidence of Native American culture and construct a cultural symbol. They are explained what the stars and stripes stand for on the American flag. Students work as...
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Lesson Plan
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Intermediate Level Lesson Plan THEMATIC ESSAY

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify three reasons why conflict arose in the Western United States during the late 1800s. Using specific examples, discuss how the United States government attempted to resolve these conflicts. Evaluate whether these...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Westward Expansion

For Teachers 8th
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.
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Lesson Plan
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Planning a Railroad

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners use a topographical map to plan a route from Doknner Summit to Truckee, then compare it to the route selected by Theodore Judah.
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Lesson Plan
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Lesson 6: Native Americans in the West

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Learners recall their knowledge of Native American people who lived in the West and reflect on how their perspectives differed from pioneers and argonauts of the 19th century.