Students examine political presence of Hudson's Bay Company, explore economic impact of European demand for beaver pelts and the fur trapping trade, and practice counting in Chinook Jargon.

As part of a study of colonial and Native American history, class members focus on the beliefs and land use of the Pocumtucks, who settled near Deerfield, Massachusetts. Young scholars examine their beliefs about land use and ownership,...

Learners study the interaction between the inhabitants of the state of Utah and its geographic features. For this Utah geography lesson, students determine how the geographic feature of Utah affected it settlement, land use and...

Students study Fort Vancouver. They discuss trading and what is meant by "a skin for a skin." They complete math story problems that represent possible trading scenarios. They explore the Chinook Jargon trade language.

Students hold a "rendezvous," role-playing as trappers gathering supplies for the upcoming year in the mountains. They trade simulated beaver pelts for supplies such as bullets, tea, flour, and sugar. They share storytelling with each...

Students explore wolves. In this ecology and wolves lesson, students research predator-prey relationships on the Internet and complete a related worksheet with a partner. Students interpret data on bar graphs to determine growth and...

What can your class learn from a skull? With proper facilitation, they can learn about diet, physical adaptations, special differences, and even the environment. Pupils will examine a series of mammal skulls and pelts to help them...

Students study different kinds of animals and what group they belong to.  In this animal classification lesson students view different animals and sort them by what group they belong to, for example a snake is in the reptile...

Young scholars discuss the many different types of animal signs that can be used to identify and track animals. They participate in an hands-on activity in which they examine tracks, trails, homes, territory markings, and even "scat"...

Students investigate beaver adaptations, life cycle, and the effects of beaver behavior on ecosystems. They compare and contrast how beavers influence the ecology of both forest and aquatic ecosystems.

In this reading comprehension worksheet, students read a 2-page article regarding Oregon and respond to 10 true or false questions regarding the selection.

Students explore the lives of bgeahvers. They identify the physical and behavioral adaptations that help beavers survive in their environment. Students compare and contrast how beavers influence the ecology of both forest and aquatic...

Third graders explore describing the interactions between the English settlers and the Powhatan people. They include the contributions of the Powhatan's to the survival of the settlers and review how the Powhatan people and the English...

Students discover how bison were hunted by the Native Americans and compare it to the buffalo. Using construction paper, they trace a bison outline given to them and use coffee grounds to fill in the space where the fur would be. They...

High schoolers investigate the international background and consequences of The Louisiana Purchase, The War of 1812, and The Monroe Doctrine. The lesson helps to improve critical thinking skills about American History.

Students read a story about the Pocumtucks' religious beliefs. Using the text, they discover their concept of land ownership and how they migrated within their territory in different seasons. They use primary and secondary sources to...

Students analyze artifacts from an early society to determine information relating to daily life in that society. They consider which artifacts from our society would be most valuable to future archeologists.

In this mammals worksheet, students use clues given to complete a crossword puzzle of words associated with mammals. An answer key is included.

The fur and skin trade was a significant industry from the earliest permanent settlement of the region that became North Carolina. Pelts shipped to Europe included beaver, bear, deer, raccoon, mink, muskrat, opossum, wolf, and fox. Many...

An interesting and comprehensive essay on Adriaen Block, the development of New Netherlands, Dutch trade, and the impact of the Little Ice Age in Europe on fur trade in North America.

Analysis of the history of the sea otter in North America, focusing on its role in the European fur trade of the late 18th Century, this University of Minnesota web page is concise but thorough. The nations most involved in the...

Voyageurs are remembered each year in Manitoba's Festival du Voyageur. It is a special recognition and reinforcement of the province's deep Franco-Manitoban history and roots. This winter celebration is proof that the voyageurs' courage...

Discusses the wars the Iroquois fought with other tribes and with the French in the last half of the 17th century, in their efforts to win control of the fur trade. A peace treaty was signed in 1701 to end the fighting.

The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is the largest living land carnivore, with adult males growing up to 2.6 metres in length. The most well known of all bears, the polar bear is immediately recognisable from the distinctive white colour of...