Students investigate Native American culture reading and writing about early Native American authors. They listen to an expert to extend their understanding of the culture.

The attitudes of European settlers toward the American wilderness, as reflected in art and literature, is the focus of this resource packet designed for teachers. Included in the unit overview you will find lists or paintings and...

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...

Students investigate the cultures of Native Americans and Euro-Americans through their clothing.  In this photograph analysis lesson, students observe historic photographs and analyze the style of clothes people wore and how it...

In this historical letter writing worksheet, students choose an aspect of 19th century American life that is of interest. Kids write a letter from the point of view of a person in this time. Students exchange letters with a partner and...

In this reading a speech worksheet, students read the words of Chief Seattle from 1857. Students analyze the words in bold type and answer 6 multiple choice questions.

Students examine reasons that led people to explore, identify "West" as defined following Revolutionary War, explain importance of finding natural resources, develop time line of dates and events leading up to Lewis and Clark Expedition,...

Fifth graders investigate the significant events in America's history. Students listen to a variety of books based on significant historical events in America. Students divide into 6 groups, each of which is responsible for researching...

Students research pertinent information based on historical facts and is supported by quotations from primary sources in order to prepare for a class debate about land ownership in the 19th century.

Fourth graders explain the needs and wants of an Abenaki family or group and/or of a family or group in the first half of the 19th century and compare them to the needs and wants of Students' family or household today.

Students examine the various roles people played on the 19th century Texas frontier. Using the internet, they get to know five residents of Fort Griffin and take notes on their characteristics. They choose one person to research more...

Middle schoolers take a close look at the prairie environment. They identify common plants and animals of the prairie. In addition, pupils work in teams in order to put together a presentation on a certain aspect of the prairie...

Fifth graders discuss the history of sports in Iowa. In this sports lesson plan, 5th graders write a friendly sports letter and a how to directional writing. They write five entries in their journal from the point of view of a piece of...

In this reading comprehension worksheet about the history of Ellis Island, students are given a 7-paragraph essay to read and 5 follow-up multiple-choice questions to answer.

Students examine the theory of immigration and how their ancestors became part of this Nation. They determine how immigration affected the United States through research and language activities. They construct a timeline of a time in...

Second graders observe and describe several masks from different parts of Africa housed in the Smithsonian Institute (National Museum of African Art) Washington, D.C. They use the internet to view the Smithsonian's virtual exhibits.

Read excerpts from Lydia Maria Child's first book, Hobomok, about a Native American who helped the early New England settlers.

Detailed biographical information about Longfellow's youth and early education. Discusses the influence of his native Maine. Describes Longfellow's first publication, at the age of 13, in a local newspaper.