Curated OER
Pioneer Currency in Utah: Have you got change for 5?
Eleventh graders examine why pioneer society needed a uniform medium of exchange -- not so much among themselves, but for use with non-Mormon suppliers and California immigrants.
Curated OER
Pushing the Boundaries: The Pioneer Spirit
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...
Curated OER
Pioneer Currency in Utah: Have you got change for a 5?
Students explore the need for money in a society and the artificial value of coin and paper currencies. They design their own coin and paper currency.
Curated OER
Keeping the Home Fires: The lives of Western women
Fourth graders explore the various trails that settlers took West from Missouri. They examine the reasons that people took these trails as well as the kind of people who made the journeys. They examine the Oregon, the Mormon, the Santa...
Curated OER
Bryce Canyon National Park: Hoodoos Cast Their Spell (64)
Students explore the natural wonders of this once remote area in Utah and explore how it became a popular tourist destination in the early 20th century. They examine how the region was used by Mormon settlers, scientists and the government.
Curated OER
Salt Lake City, Utah
Students research the history of the Salt Lake City. In this geography lesson, students select an activity in Salt Lake City to research, such as snow skiing. Students write a research report.
Curated OER
The American West - End of Unit Test
In these American West worksheets, students answer questions based on the American West unit. Students answer 23 questions about the unit.
Curated OER
Baa, Ram, Ewe....Sheep Tales
Students compare real and make believe animal behaviors by drawing and comparing them. In this real and make believe animals lesson plan, students compare the animal behaviors, express how colors create a mood in artwork, and investigate...
Curated OER
Dangers of the West
Eighth graders explore the American West. In this Westward Expansion lesson, 8th graders examine primary sources to investigate the dangers travelling to and settling in the American West. Students design brochures that would help those...
Curated OER
Bison on the Plains
Fifth graders explore U.S. geography by reading assigned text about American Indians. In this migration instructional activity, 5th graders identify the differences between Native Americans and European settlers who traveled through...
Curated OER
Westward Ho
Students examine primary sources regarding Western migration. In this Manifest Destiny lesson, students determine why the pioneers moved west and what the trip was like as they examine sources and write journals based on their findings.
Curated OER
Charles R. Savage Lesson Plan Ideas
Students explore works by English photographer Charles R. Savage. In this visual arts instructional activity, students investigate photography by Savage as they discuss the use of perspective, space, color, and texture.
Curated OER
Headin' West! The Life of a Pioneer
Students explore the life of a pioneer and the relationship between the concept of Manifest Destiny and pioneering. Students complete activities, maps, writing and reading to experience pioneer life. Handouts and worksheets are included...
Curated OER
The Oregon Trail
Students discuss migration and reasons people came across the Oregon trail. Students create a time line of important events along the Oregon trail. A Historical Time Line is included for student use. Students work in small groups to...
Curated OER
Manifest Destiny
Students identify the implications of Manifest Destiny. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students view a PowerPoint presentation on the topic and then respond to questions based on the details of the presentation.
Curated OER
Manifest Destiny
In this Westward Expansion activity, learners read assigned textbook pages which describe Manifest Destiny and respond to 33 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Roads of the Past and Present
Third graders compare the paths taken by the pioneers with those taken today. They trace the development and emergence of culture in indigenous communities.
Curated OER
VH1 Fan Club Dave Matthews Band
Students study how the music of Dave Matthews Band is based on jazz, blues, bluegrass, rock and roll, and rap.
Digital History
Digital History: The Mormons
A short history of the Mormon Church and its founder, Joseph Smith. Read about the Mormon settlements in the Midwest, and Joseph Smith's demise.
PBS
Pbs: Interview With Jon Butler on the Mormon Religion and History
A very good interview with a historian on the origins of the Mormon Church, its early history in America and comments about the issue of dissent with the Church.
BBC
Bbc Religion and Ethics Homepage: Mormonism
A full-featured site from the BBC about Mormonism, with information on the history, customs, beliefs, modes of worship, and holy days of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Multicultural America: Mormons
Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Mormons. (Note: Content is not the most current.)
Utah Education Network
Uen: Utah History Encyclopedia: Immigration to Utah
This resource looks at Mormon immigration into the state of Utah during the 19th century.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Utah History Encyclopedia: Polygamy
Discussion of the history of polygamy in the Mormon church from the Utah History Encyclopedia.