Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Colonial Life in the Late 1700s: Distant Cousins

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research how early colonists lived. They investigate late 17th century colonist's lives from Massachusetts and Delaware. Using their research, students write historical fiction in the form of friendly letters between the two...
PPT
Curated OER

The 13 Originals: Exploring the Who, When, Where, and Why Behind the 13 Original Colonies of Early America

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Discover the stories behind each of the thirteen stripes on the American flag with this straightforward presentation. Complete with learning objectives, discussion questions, and solid information about each of the original thirteen...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Third Grade Social Studies- Quiz

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this social studies worksheet, students complete a 25 question multiple choice quiz about early American colonial life and the Cherokee and other Native American tribes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Native Americans and Natural Resources

For Teachers 4th - 5th Standards
North American Indian civilizations had already been in place for over 10,000 years before the arrival of European settlers. Introduce your young historians to Indian tribes that lived in the Chesapeake region in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Agriculture Shapes Kentucky History

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the lives of early American Indians and settlers in Kentucky. They describe the agricultural practices of Indians native to Kentucky and develop a supply list for a group of settlers coming to the state to establish...
Worksheet
DePaul University

Settlement

For Students 3rd - 5th Standards
Early settlers in the American Midwest experienced constant struggle. This reading passage describes for young learners the hardships of homesteaders as they journeyed west and sought to start a new life. When finished, students identify...
Lesson Plan
NET Foundation for Television

1850-1874 Native Americans and Settlers

For Teachers 4th - 12th Standards
Did Western settlers receiving free land from the Homestead Act realize it wasn't really free at all? Scholars investigate the impact Western expansion had on Native American culture in the mid-1800s. They use documents, timelines, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Practical Experiment In Colonization

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Role-play and simulation exercises are fantastic ways to help learners understand the reality behind many social and historical events. Pretending they are colonists, upper graders choose a location, create a history, establish laws, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Generating a Culture: Early American Coal Miners and Coal Mining Culture

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Learners calculate how much coal they use based on their electric power usage. In this environmental science lesson, students trace the history of coal mining in US. They write a letter to USPS to encourage them to create coal mining...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Native Americans and Giving

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this Brother Eagle, Sister Sky: The Words of Chief Seattle instructional activity, students examine the plight of Native Americans and explore Native Americans' quest for the "common good."
Lesson Plan
Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area

Life as a Pioneer

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Learners examine historical documents and research why early pioneers settled on the Iowa prairie. They review maps, describe the impact of railroading, describe life in pioneer times, and identify the effects of drought, prairie fire,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life on Plymouth Plantation

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders research life of Plymouth Plantation and write letters about life there home. In this Plymouth life lesson plan, 3rd graders complete a webquest as they gather information about the journey to America on the Mayflower and...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Container Gardening: American History Herb Garden

For Students 3rd - 4th
In this settler's garden worksheet, students write which herbs they chose to grow and how the settlers used that herb. Students fill in 3 herbs and 3 ways the settlers used them.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fourth Grade Social Studies

For Teachers 4th
In this social studies worksheet, 4th graders answer multiple choice questions about George Washington, early America, natural resources, and more. Students complete 8 questions.
Interactive
Curated OER

Early Discovery & Settlement (5)

For Students 8th - 12th
In this online interactive American history instructional activity, students respond to 21 matching questions regarding colonial America. Students may check their answers immediately.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating An Understanding of the Past/Through The Art of George Catlin and Native American Artifacts

For Teachers K - 6th
Students explore Native American culture. They observe and discuss the paintings of George Catlin. Students examine the lives of the Pawnee Native American Indians during the time period of 1830-1840. Numerous cross curriculum activities...
Worksheet
Curated OER

American West: Lawlessness and Violence

For Students 5th - 6th
In this American West worksheet, students read about the reasons for lawlessness and violence in the American West. Students learn about geographical factors, political factors, economic factors, social factors, values, and attitudes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where the Buffalo Roam

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore what life in the Chicago area was like hundreds of years ago. They discuss how settlers impacted the environment, and why there are no longer herds of buffalo in the Chicago area today. They read an article and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Overland Trails To The West

For Teachers 5th
Consider the political, physical, and geographical factors that led to and marked the Westward Expansion. Learners will track the various routes developed during the 1800's. They create a first person journal describing what they see,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How - To - Posters

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students investigate the skills needed to survive for the early colonial settlers and Native Americans. They conduct research, develop a list of skills, and create a how-to poster demonstrating a survival skill.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Photography and the National Park Service

For Teachers 9th - 12th
During the 1800s the United States was expanding westward; land was there for the taking.  Kids explore how some early photographers used their photography to influenced the US Congress to save areas like Mirror Lake. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Life in Jamestown Settlement

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine life in early colonial settlements. Students investigate what settlers ate and create a menu for a fictitious restaurant in a settlement.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Fall and Rise of the White-tailed Deer Population: Conservation Success Story?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Pupils analyze the problems that have come along with the conservation movement and the fall and rise of the white tailed deer population. In this conservation lesson plan, students see how important the deer were to the Native Americans...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living to Avoid The Criminal Justice System

For Teachers K - 12th
Students brainstorm a list of negative stereotypes in the African-American society. In groups, they develop ways to decrease the chance of them living in poverty and being in trouble with the law. They develop ways to solve problems...