Curated OER
Visualizing Succession
Ecosystem change is easier to understand when you use hands-on activities.
Curated OER
Reading: Johnny Appleseed
In this Johnny Appleseed worksheet, students read information about Johnny Appleseed and answer comprehension questions. Students answer eight true and false statements.
Curated OER
Communities and Biomes
In this communities worksheet, students will look at the interactions between biotic and abiotic factors and the effect these factors have on organism populations. Students will also order the succession steps that occur over time in an...
Curated OER
Breaking News English: One Way Ticket to Mars Mission
In this English learning exercise, 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.
Curated OER
Utah Indian - Future Changes
Fourth graders discuss and share ideas on how they think the Utah Indian tribes change in the future.
Curated OER
Roughing It in the Backwoods
High schoolers discuss the differences between living during the mid-19th century and today and then debate which would be better.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Our Story: Life in a Sod House
Imagine moving into a house made out of sod that you and your family had to build in the middle of a prairie! Find great information and activities that will help you understand how it felt to live on the prairie.
Vancouver Island University
The Homeroom: British Columbia's History of Education
A 'gateway' to information about the history of education in British Columbia, this site covers people involved in delivering or championing education, legislation, curriculum development since the 1800s, life as a pioneer teacher, as...
US National Archives
Herbert Hoover Presidential Library: Pioneer Life With Laura
This site is an integrated teaching unit on pioneer life and Westward Movement of the United States, using books by author Laura Ingalls Wilder. It includes suggested read-alouds, a wealth of large and small group activities, a pioneer...
Intel Corporation
Intel: Music of the Western Expansion
What was life like for a western pioneer? Students take a journey through westward expansion using music to understand the experience of the pioneers. As they listen to lyrics and analyze the different types of music that was being sung...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Adeline Hornbeck and the Homestead Act
This Teaching with Historic Places lesson effectively depicts the life of a pioneer woman and ways in which the Homestead Act impacted her life. The site includes lesson plans, inquiry questions, and photos that may be used in covering...
Other
Agriculture in the Classroom Sask: Early Days: Homesteaders
A broad view of life as a pioneer or homesteader in the prairie lands of the United States or Canada in the 19th century. Learn about the work and play of pioneer families, and how their towns developed.
US National Archives
Pioneering Journals of the Ingalls Family: Pepin, Wisconsin: Household Chores
Based on journals for Laura Ingalls Wilder's family, these descriptions of housework in a pioneer home are typical of the life of most pioneers on the prairie or in the northern woods. These chores would have been "women's work."
Nebraska Studies
Nebraska Studies: Building a Sod House
Here's great information on building sod houses. You can even watch a video of a famous two-story sod house that stood until 1967.
American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: Ray Kurzweil
Biographical information on Ray Kurzweil offers details about his life, inventions and work as a pioneer in artificial intelligence.
American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: Robert S. Langer, sc.d.
Biography details the life and work of Robert Langer a talented biotechnologist and entrepreneur who struggled to find backing for his work before breaking new ground in biotechnology and establishing himself as a pioneer.
Other
At Home in the Heartland: At Home on the Fringes of the Prairie (1800 1850)
Interactive site offers information and pictures pertaining to early pioneer life. See advertisements in the paper, furniture, glassware, and food preparation tools. Read stories of individuals who lived during that time and make...
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Amelia Earhart
This documentary film traces the life of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, the first woman to attempt to fly solo across the Atlantic. A preview and other information about the film project are available here.
Other
Connie Brummel Crook: 'The Hungry Year' Teaching Guide [Pdf]
"The Hungry Year", an historical novel by Connie Brummel Crook, begins in 1787 and is set in what is now Ontario. It follows the life of a Loyalist pioneer family that has fled into Canada. This teacher's guide has a book summary,...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Pioneer Values in Willa Cather's My Antonio
The objective of this site is to guide students through a self-directed exploration of pioneer life in reference to the book, "My Antonio." Students will have an opportunity to work on combining the study of history and literature...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Life on the Great Plains
A detailed lesson plan that explores "the concept of region and how culture and experience influence the perception of regions." Site provides many excellent websites for students and teachers to explore during their study of the Great...
George Eastman Museum
George Eastman House: Create a Phenakistoscope
Phenakistoscope. You may not be able to pronounce it, but with these easy to follow instructions you can make one. Have fun creating one of the earliest cinematography devices and watch your pictures come to life. Includes a printable...
Virtual Museum of Canada
Virtual Museum of Canada: Community Stories: Settlers' Effects Brought to Craik and Aylesbury
This exhibit features images of household items that were brought by settlers to the Canadian prairies between 1890 and 1930. Each item is accompanied by a description.
Alberta Online Encyclopedia
Alberta Online Encyclopedia: The Land of Opportunity: Heritage Trails
This is a collection of audio and text files that describes Alberta's early history as the west is opened for settlement. Included are the stories about the great migration of immigrants from all over Europe, Asia and North America who...