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On the Oregon Trail
Students work with primary documents and latter-day photographs to recapture the experience of traveling on the Oregon Trail. Working in groups, they write a scene for the movie that is historically accurate and based on the kinds of...
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Frontier Life Story
Learners undertake a similar (but not quite as drastic) adventure as that of Frontier House as they explore the day-to-day realities of frontier life through a Laura Ingalls Wilder story, and reflect on which time period suits them...
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Melba Pattillo and Ruby Bridges: Two Heroes of School Integration
Learners put themselves in the shoes of students who integrated Little Rock High School in 1957-58. Note: The primary resources in this activity provide powerful and poignant descriptions of what those students faced.
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Snowflake Book Report Cover
Students discuss Snowflake Bentley, the first snowflake photographer, and use art supplies such as Fiskars¿¿ Punches and Snow Texture Plates to create individual snowflake book report covers.
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People Behind the Parks
Explore U.S. geography with your class by viewing a documentary. Show a portion of the Ken Burns documentary "The National Parks," and identify the individuals responsible for keeping the parks in order. Elementary and middle schoolers...
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Poetry of Abraham Lincoln
Fourth graders analyze Abraham Lincoln's poems "The Bear Hunt" and "My Childhood's Home" for word choice and deeper inquiry into the vocabulary he uses to convey emotion. They identify rhyming words and patterns in these poems. ...
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Samsung Electronics Aims to Double Sales
In this ESL learning exercise, students read, listen and complete a variety of assignments associated with an article involving Samsung electronics.
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Wagons West: Report
Have your middle schoolers choose a topic about the Oregon Trail to research for an informative report. They are given a list of report ideas and the components required when composing an informational report. Then, they choose one of...
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Heritage: Seeking Land or Gold
Middle schoolers write a persuasive letter home defending their decision either to settle in Utah and farm the land, or to go on to California to seek gold. They analyze a problem, make a decision, and write a letter defending their choice.
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Introduction to Little House Books
Third graders identify the main characters in the Ingalls family and describe the relationships between the characters. They locate the setting of the book on a map of the Upper Mid- West. Students understand that the books are set in...
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Centennial: Have I Got a Story for You
Students identify the clues that folklore provides about Utah's past, and create a piece of folklore for a place or event in or near their community.
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For the Fun of It
Young scholars view pictures of Amelia Earhart and discuss the social and historical context of her life. They read excerpts of Earhart's autobiography "The Fun of It" and analyze her purpose in writing it.
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Adventure Writing: Oregon's Landscape as a Setting
Students identify geographical features of different regions encountered by migrants on the Oregon trail. Students research how the Oregon landscape may have affected life and 19th century westward migration. Students write a narrative...
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Saving History in Small Pieces
Learners examine pictures of cultural mosaics. They sketch a design of the mosaic they are to cretae. They create a cultural mosaic that shows a small part of Utah's history.
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Heritage: Famous People of the West
Fourth graders examine two famous people, Brigham Young and Jim Bridger, who made an impact on the westward expansion, and create cartoon strip using the information.
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For the Fun of It
Middle schoolers investigate author's purpose in autobiography by reading Amelia Earhart's autobiography entitled The Fun of It. Students examine character traits needed to fulfill personal goals.
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Prairie Settlement
Middle schoolers make a decision for site selection for a farm during the 1840s in the Midwest. They build research and writing skills by recording the information used for analysis in a chart and as diary entries.
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Word Wall, If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon
Third graders use vocabulary from "If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon" to play a game.
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Roughing It in the Backwoods
Students discuss the differences between living during the mid-19th century and today and then debate which would be better.
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Chief Sealthe's Speech
Students explain the conflict over land between Native Americans and the United States government. They evaluate Native American values and the results of the U.S. expansion into Native American lands.
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What A Woman...The Silver Queen
Fourth graders realize that women have played a strong role in the history of Utah. They explain that the study of individuals can give glimpses of the life and times of the era. They experience their personal histories.
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Breaking News English: Bidding War Begins for Top Banknote Printer
In this English worksheet, students read "Bidding War Begins for Top Banknote Printer," and then respond to 1 essay, 47 fill in the blank, 7 short answer, 2 graphic organizer, 20 matching, and 8 true or false questions about the selection.
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Breaking News English: One Way Ticket to Mars Mission
In this English worksheet, students read "One Way Ticket to Mars Mission," and then respond to 1 essay, 47 fill in the blank, 7 short answer, 20 matching, and 10 true or false questions about the selection.
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Breaking News English: Camel Beauty Contest Opens in UAE
In this English worksheet, students read "Camel Beauty Contest Opens in UAE," and then respond to 1 essay, 47 fill in the blank, 7 short answer, 20 matching, and 8 true or false questions about the selection.