Curated OER
Buffalo Hide
Students research the traditional Lakota tipi (teepee) and compare types of homes used in the past with those used today. They design and construct an accurate model of a tipi.
Curated OER
Escape - Civil War
Fourth graders role play the Underground Railroad in this lesson. They review the Underground Railroad and how people used it during the Civil War. They then are divided into groups, and role play with each group taking a different...
Curated OER
Lone Pine- Cultural Fire Management
Fourth graders investigate the concept of fire and how it was used by the Native Americans. The instructional activity has sufficient background information for the teacher to establish historical context. Students summarize the nine...
Read Works
First Thanksgiving Meal
Cranberries, oysters, lobster, deer, and cabbage were just a few of the foods found on the table at the First Thanksgiving. After reading a two-page passage about the historic meal, class members respond to 10 reading response questions.
Curated OER
Classroom Potlatch
Elementary schoolers study the history and purpose of potlatches. The listen to two stories about potlatches, then design a potlatch that they will host for their family members. They must come up with the gifts they would give, the...
Curated OER
Coming To America
Students investigate the history of America with the help of children's literature. The story is structured as a timeline that begins at the time of Columbus and progresses to the present. The teacher reads the story with the class and...
Curated OER
A Poem for Columbus - Junie B. Jones Series
In this poetry and rhyming words learning exercise, students fill in the blanks in a poem about Christopher Columbus. They add a rhyming word at the end of each of the 14 stanzas. This learning exercise is associated with the Junie B....
Curated OER
Christopher Columbus Lesson Plans
Columbus Day lesson plans are great for teaching students about geography, history, and exploration.
Curated OER
The Trail of Tears; Its Grief and Loss
Fifth graders trace the development and expansion of the US while studying the Trail of Tears. They examine the political factors and analyze the impact the Indian Removal Act had upon a society. They present a case for or against the...
Curated OER
Raven Mask
Pupils explore the artistic expressions of the Northwest Native American Indians and using traditional palette of colors, create a personal interpretation of the traditional raven mask.
Curated OER
San Luis Trip
Second graders get an authentic field trip view of an archeological site replicating the influences of the Apalachee Indians and Spanish missionaries. The following day, 2nd graders share their journals at team tables.
Curated OER
Cycles of Change and Growth in the Mormon Trek: Contra
Fifth graders examine the contributions of Native American Indians, explorers, and Utah's pioneers. They play a "what if" game to illustrate cause and effect.
Curated OER
How Does Technology Affect Me?
Students compare and contrast the tools used by Native Americans from the Paleo, Archaic and Woodland periods. The visit and discuss a website describing inventions and the problems they solved. They use this historical information to...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults Infographic
Adult cigarette smoking has decreased in recent years, but it is still the number one cause of preventable disease and death in America. An infographic breaks cigarette smoking down by education level, geographical region, gender, race,...
Listening Library
The Sign of the Beaver
Extend a class reading of the novel The Sign of the Beaver across all subject areas with this literature unit guide. From basic discussion questions and writing prompts, to a research project about tracking animals, this resource offers...
Curated OER
Promoting Diversity in Elementary School Curricula
Learners discover the roles played by various racial, ethnic and religious groups in the development of American society. They explore the concept of racial and cultural diversity and global community, as these are joined by economic,...
Curated OER
Green Corn Festival
Students reflect in journals how the Green Corn Festival compares to present day holidays and look for ways that the tribes celebrate it differently.
Curated OER
Black Hawk Island Hike
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...
Curated OER
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Ninth graders examine the goals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and identify the present day cities, towns, rivers, and regions that are on the route of the expedition. They complete an online WebQuest, recreating the route of the...
Curated OER
The Anasazi
Pupils investigate and determine the origins of the ancient Anasazi who inhabited present-day Utah and the Four-Corners-Region.
Curated OER
People of the Plains:Music and Dance
Fourth graders are given a worksheet stating the goal of the day, different sections to visit, and time spent on each section. They are given the CDs, 4th graders are told to insert the CDs into the computer. Students go to The Plains...
Curated OER
Historical Summaries: Arizona
In this Arizona history worksheet, learners read a 2-page article about prehistoric, Spanish, Mexican, and American Arizona prior to responding to 2 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Mexico: One Land, Many Cultures
Students research and study the country of Mexico and complete a project about it. In this Mexico lesson plan, students research Mexico's geography, traditions, art, songs, stories, and legends that are native to Mexico.
Curated OER
The Cherokee Removal
Eleventh graders examine the issue of Cherokee removal from the perspectives of Andrew Jackson, members of Congress, and members of the Cherokee nation. They adopt the perspectives and engage in debate over the issue of Cherokee removal.