Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pioneer Homes

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students compare and contrast Native American dwellings with pioneer homes. They identify the progression of these homes and locate examples on a frontier map.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

ABOUT ALL YOU CAN EAT: Superfoods

For Teachers 7th - Higher Ed
Learners trace back through time to see how the nutritional value of food consumed was enhanced.  In this nutrients instructional activity students complete several activities that show the mass of food, and its PH value.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Border Identity: AngloChicaNorteña

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students analyze concept of identity in the context of the border region, and in particular by considering the concept of identity in a movie concerning a famous border personality.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Prairie Voices: Abbie Gardner Sharp Cabin

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study the events of the Spirit Lake Massacre. In this Iowa history lesson, students consider the role of Abbie Gardner in the Spirit Lake Massacre as their instructor presents a lecture.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pioneer Life: Food

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Students investigate the types of food the pioneers ate, and how they prepared and preserved their meals. They explore websites, view video diaries from PBS Frontier Life, read recipes, and complete a crossword puzzle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Family

For Teachers K - 3rd
Young scholars examine artwork that surrounds the topic of "family." They compare and contrast the families in the artwork with their own families. Finally, each student creates a HyperStudio slide of their own artwork that represents...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Prairie Voices: German Immigrants Move to Iowa

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Young scholars create historically accurate travel journals. In this Iowa history lesson, students research the German immigration experience as they write travel journals that feature a German family's move into an Iowa county.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Brother Outsider

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students view the film "Brother Outsider" and read an article by Bayard Rustin as springboards to discuss the concept of civil rights in the United States. They follow a discussion guide.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

One-Way Valves

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore how the heart pumps blood through its valves. They observe fluid moving through a one-way valve and build a model of a valve. in addition, they explore biotechnology design.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modeling Breathing Action

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students create a model to identify the parts of the human respiratory system. They explore the Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) and its use as a breathing support strategy. Students explore reflex actions as an involuntary...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Video Umpires

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Pupils play umpire in a baseball game. They video the umpire's calls and then examine the accuracy of a "line call" when compared to a taped record of a ball's exact impact location. They create a transcript of a fictional court case...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nuclear Transplants

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners model the removal of a cell nucleus and the insertion of an alternate control center. They define some of the challenges faced in this type of transplant procedure. Students discuss cloning.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genes and Aging

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore genes and the way we age. They assemble a worm collection device called a Baermann Funnel. Students collect Caenorhabditis elegans or other active nematodes from local soil samples. They observe the appearance and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Crossroads: Chicano Identity and Border Culture

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify and explore complex ways that the theme of "frontiers" or socio-political borders affect Chicano identity in the US and examine notions of "resistance" and "affirmation" as a fundamental ideology in Chicano life,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fort at No. 4 History

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students examine the history of Fort No. 4 in New Hampshire before visiting the site. They identify key events and people that occured at the fort as well. They complete questions and teach them to their group.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Blowing Ballast

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Oceanographers participate in a memorable hands on experience about buoyancy. They build a model of a submersible using a plastic bottle and a balloon. Afterward, they answer assessment questions. An answer key and some terrific...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Johnny Appleseed

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students engage in a study of apples using children's literature. They conduct research using a variety of resources. Student list facts about apples and compare them while answering some guided questions. They plant some apple seeds and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Mirrored Movements

For Teachers All
This lesson provides students with a lab experience during which students construct a basic electric circuit and use it to explore dexterity skills. A chance to construct and operate a tool that extends a person's grasping ability and to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Born on a Mountaintop? Davy Crockett, Tall Tales, and History

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students name tall tale characters and locations, which are based on actual people and places, and describe how they are used in an exaggerated way. They name characters and events from tall tales, then list literary characteristics of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build an Electrophoresis Chamber

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore electrophoresis, a technique used to isolate DNA. They assemble a gel chamber for separating mixtures. Students observe separation influenced by electric charge. They define separation through gel electrophoresis.
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

National Archives: Indian Nations vs. Settlers on the American Frontier

For Teachers 9th - 10th
When the Revolutionary War ended, there was an ongoing conflict between the Native Americans and American settler in the Northwest Territory. Students will study two documents from each side of the issue and answer questions and/or hold...
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: The Frontier, "West" and the American Experience

For Students 9th - 10th
Outline of the American frontier and pioneer experience during westward expanison in the 1800s.
Activity
Chase Young, PhD

Dr. Chase Young, Ph D: Reader's Theater Script: The King of the Wild Frontier [Pdf]

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
A reader's theater script for The King of the Wild Frontier, a short biography of Davy Crockett. Five character roles are needed in this activity.
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Docsteach: Indian Nations vs. Settlers on the American Frontier: 1786 1788

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this activity, students will compare and contrast two documents from the Revolutionary period written by 1) a combined group of Native American tribes and 2) an American territorial governor, Arthur St. Clair. Students will analyze...