While canals are not the way to travel today, in the first half of the nineteenth century, they were sometimes the best way to move goods and people. Scholars examine primary sources, including maps and pictures, to investigate the role...

Fourth graders read the provided documents about the Erie Canal to discover the impact that this transportation systems had on the New York community. In this history lesson, 4th graders first analyze the documents and answer the...

Students conduct research in order to create an understanding of The Eerie Canal and its place in history and the world. students use a variety of primary and secondary resources to aid in the research process.

Fifth graders examine significant events in Post-Civil War America. In this Post-Civil War lesson, 5th graders investigate the important events after the war in 19th century America. They read primary source documents about six topics...

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

Students research the construction and history of the Erie Canal. They answer discussion questions in small groups, draw and label the Erie Canal on a map of New York State, read and discuss a handout, and complete a worksheet.

Seventh graders study the Erie Canal and New York state. They design a three-day vacation itinerary using tourism sites, which highlight historical facts and include the modern remains of the New York Canal system.

Students explore 19th century American artwork.  In this cross curriculum New York history and art appreciation lesson, students view a reproduction of the painting "Situation of America, 1848," and identify visual symbols and...

Students investigate how philanthropy began in Michigan. In this philanthropy lesson, students read Michigan History of Philanthropy and read a timeline of several events. Students create a picture with a sentence about a time when they...

Railways not only cross the US, but they are also intertwined with the history of America. Using a timeline format, individuals explore the connections between major events in American history—such as the Civil War—and the rise of the...

Railways are an integral part of the history of California. Using a timeline format, class members connect major historical events to the rise of the railroads and their impact on the state. Activities include a mix of independent and...

Students research the history of philanthropy in Michigan by looking at images and pictures while discussing the definition of philanthropy. They design a picture of the first time they saw a philanthropic act and write three sentences...

Students discover racism and slavery by completing a role playing activity. In this U.S. history lesson, students analyze documents from the Civil War era and describe the Fugitive Slave Law. Students view a video on YouTube about the...

Students discover bodies of water in the United States by investigating the Eerie Canal.  In this U.S. Geography lesson, students discuss Lake Eerie and the canal that was built in order to transport goods.  Students research...

Second graders examine poetry in the context of American History in the four lessons of this unit. They read, write, and edit their own pieces in this unit.

Explore the history of domesticated pigs and their important byproducts. After discussing the use of pigs, class members create game boards describing the animals. While playing the game, they determine if the answers are true or...

Learners design and build full-size boats made out of two-liter plastic bottles, chicken wire, and plywood. Then they race the boats, with the boat's designers "manning the hull", in the school's swimming pool.

Students explore Wisconsin's natural and cultural history through hands-on exploration of Upham Woods. They are shown the basic paddling skills and they work in teams to paddle across the river on barge. Students describe cultural...

Students work cooperatively to recreate the rhythms of different modes of transportation. They discuss different modes of transportation. They create movements to accompany a song.

After studying various background materials, learners read "Marco Paul's Travels on the Erie Canal" and participate in writing and discussion activities that will foster understanding of the Erie Canal and its impact on economic and...

How were the canals used and what were the effects of this transportation system on daily life in the 19th century? This lesson plan incorporates the use of historic sites in the study of Ohio and U.S. history.

A lesson plan from the producers of the 16-episode PBS series "Freedom: A History of US" that examines how new technology and scientific advances of the nineteenth century changed America. Includes ideas for directing students through a...

Students will be introduced to the reasons people came to America and the different modes of transportation used for the journey. Students will follow the journey of one man from Switzerland to Ohio.