Curated OER
A Look at Life of the Plains Indians through artists like George Catlin
Students identify and interpret the life of the Indians on the Plains during the 1800's through artworks of George Catlin and others during this time period. Students examine life of the Pawnee Indians and interpret conditions that...
Curated OER
Extraordinary Women in the Great Plains
Eighth graders write what they predict were the roles women played in the Great Plains. Using the internet, they research and identify the roles they did play and use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast their predictions to the...
Curated OER
Main Idea Worksheet
In this Sedona worksheet, students complete multiple choice questions about the area of Sedona, Arizona. Students complete 9 questions total.
Curated OER
Pictograph Robe Stories
Fourth graders explore the diversity and commonality of human interdependence. Also, the global cooperation of the people of the United States and the world through a multicultural and historical perspective. They describe the...
Curated OER
Heritage Hunt
In this history scavenger hunt worksheet, students respond to 17 fill in the blank, short answer and drawing questions in an effort to help them better understand the information that can be found at the North Dakota Heritage Center.
Curated OER
Oklahoma
In this geography worksheet, students read a 2 page selection detailing the location, history and early statehood of Oklahoma. They answer 10 true or false questions based on the reading.
Curated OER
Petroglyphs: Protecting the Past
Fourth graders investigate the three types of rocks and study about petroglyphs. They explore why petroglyphs were used by the Nez Perce People. Students investigate the properties of the three types of rocks and they discuss cultural...
Curated OER
Social Studies Review for Grade 4 (4.1)
In this social studies review for grade 4 (4.1) activity, 4th graders answer 25 multiple choice questions in standardized test format about U.S. history.
Curated OER
Storytelling
Students discuss how they know certain aspects about their families and customs. As a class, they discover that life changes over time and stories are only preserved if they are told. They read many different pieces of literature to...
Curated OER
State Symbols
In this social studies instructional activity, students examine and analyze each of the state's abbreviations, capitals, birds, flowers, animals and the dates when they became a state.
Curated OER
Pioneers to Kansas
Students investigate items for basic survival, needed for survival, and luxury items. They compare what they need to what Indians and Pioneers needed in the 1700's and 1800's.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Native American Relations in Texas: Spanish & Mexican Policy
How were the Native Americans of Texas affected by the Spanish rule from 1716 to 1821? How did Indian life change when Texas was led by Stephen F. Austin? This article addresses the relations between Indians and white settlers, as well...
PBS
Frontier House: The Extermination of the American Buffalo
The reign of the buffalo across the plains ended in great slaughter by the end of the 19th century. This companion essay to the PBS series, Frontier House, recounts how the decimation of the buffalo occurred, hastened by both white and...
Other
West Virginia University: A Summary of Native American Religions
This is an excellent introduction to Native American religious beliefs and practices. Includes an explanation of the major Native American Religions and their history. Site is extensive and exclusively text-based.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: What Can You Make From a Buffalo?
The northern Plains Indians used every part of the buffalo. In this interactive matching game, students will match objects made by Native Americans from the buffalo.
Ibis Communications
Eye Witness to History: Buffalo Hunt, 1846
Before the European settlers almost wiped out the buffalo, there were huge herds roaming the Plains.The buffalo hunts by Native Americans were essential for the survival of the tribes, and were fine tuned challenges between man and...
Other
Native Languages of the Americas: Native American Headdresses: Facts for Kids
Describes the different types of headdresses worn by Native American groups across North, Central and South America. (Note: some links to larger images no longer work.)
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Whose Land Is This? Conflict Between Native Americans & Settlers [Pdf]
A lesson plan from the producers of the 16-episode PBS series "Freedom: A History of US" designed to provide insights into the causes of the conflict between Native Americans and new settlers pushing west. Young scholars will examine...
Other
Ethnological Museum: Native Americans of the Plains
Part of a larger exhibition about Native Americans, this page gives visitors an up-close look at the Hidatsa and the Mandan, Native Americans of the Plains. Viewable are a decorated a buffalo skin and color etchings of tribal chiefs...
Bullock Texas State History Museum
Bullock Museum: Buffalo Soldiers
Immerse in the campfire stories of the people who defined Texas. Read about buffalo soldiers, whether on horseback or on foot, they fought the same enemy every day.
PBS
Pbs the West: A Wound in the Heart
As many as three million buffalo were killed in two years after the coming of the railroad. This site tells the story through quotes from one of the hunters and from Native American writer Scott Momaday and others.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Teacher Serve: Buffalo Tales: The Near Extermination of the American Bison
This site from the National Humanties Center provides pictures and and offers discussion questions in considering the near-extermination of the American Bison in the late 1800s. Very interesting and informative.
BBC
Bbc: Nature Wildfacts: American Bison
Use this site to learn some amazing facts about the American Bison and their close brush with extinction.
Other
An Introduction to North America's Native People: Plains Culture Area
A wonderful website from Cabrillo College on the Plains Indians can be found here. It gives an in-depth historical overview, profiles of numerous Plains tribes, the significance of the horse, and great information on their culture and...