What happens at the end of a plant's life cycle? Show kids the natural way that plants show that they're decomposing, as well as the importance of compost, with a lesson plan about living organisms. After reading Log Cabin by Anne...

Fifth graders research and examine the Westward Movement using a computer. they create their own word search from facts they discover in their research or while interacting with the Oregon Trail software. They create PowerPoint...

Fourth graders explore landforms located along the Oregon Trail. They discuss the significance of the Oregon Trail, identify visual landforms, and explain the definition of each one. Students complete worksheets, color, and label maps.

Students discover how the land and people we develop relationships with in Nebraska affect our survival--past, present, and future. They write about and interview their grandparents, parents and peers and compare them with people on the...

In this word search worksheet, students locate 18 words that describe the Oregon Trail expedition. They find words that are located in a word bank at the bottom of the page.

Students read excerpts of autobiographies from Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman. After listening to excerpts of an oral reading of Frederick Douglass' book, they discuss the ways African Americans were treated on plantations. ...

How did we grow into such a large nation? Follow the events, wars, and treaties that led to the acquisition of major states as we expanded into the West. The slides provide maps, dates, and simplistic information to help learners...

Emerging writers create a response to their reading. They read Notes from the Trail and discuss whose perspective the journal entry is written from. Then, they write a response to the journal entry in first person perspective as if...

Students identify major geographical features shown on the core map, explain map symbols used on the core map, create a picture of the condition of the trail in the 1840s, and construct a chart of average temperatures and rainfall.

Third graders listen to the retold account of the "Trail of Tears" that took place in Arkansas. They analyze the basic differences between cultures. They study the route the Indians took and the hardships that they faced.

Students examine art work as primary sources and complete the worksheet to leaern about the Oregon Trail and Westward Expansion as it affected Nebraska.

Students identify animal tracks outdoors. In this animal life lesson, students go outdoors and find several different animal tracks to identify. Students also discuss how animals must adapt in the winter months.

What comes to mind when you think of the 1860's - other than the Civil War? Paired with The American Pageant textbook (or not), this series of images completes a lecture on the mid-19th century. Cattle trails, Indian wars, and...

There is a lot to be learned from a tomato. Kids research the pressures that four major fast food and supermarket chains endure to keep customers coming back. They analyze how this pressure is then transferred to those working in the...

What a fun way to familiarize your young learners with friendly faces on campus! Scholars read "The Gingerbread Man," discussing the characters he meets. Then, they examine a map of the campus, placing photos of employees (such as the...

Economic pressures to produce and harvest in order to meet consumer needs is a very real issue. In small groups, the class uses three guiding questions to research the pressures on tomato growers to harvest at a level that meets the...

A research project that concludes with a visual and written presentation. This is all about the tomato and how it relates to the lives of migrant workers, labor contractors, and industrial agriculture. This is a group project that is...

Learn about the life, career, and policies established by President Andrew Jackson. Young historians can easily follow along with this resource or read about Jackson at an independent work station. Biographical information includes major...

Imagine what it would have been like to walk from Georgia to Texas! Perspective shifting, a key part of developing social awareness, involves just this sort of imaging. A short mini-lesson asks learners to shift their point of view and...

Students, working in groups, research and write about one of the trails that were used during US Westward Movement. They create a travel brochure for their trail keeping in mind the era in which the travel took place.

Fifth graders research the Oregon, Old Spanish, California, and Mormon trails, and the impact western expansion had on the Native Americans living on those lands.

Students explore prairie life. In this Oregon Trail lesson, students read literature regarding the move west and participate in cross-curricular activities. Students should take digital photographs of the participation in activities and...

Students participate in an Oregon Trail simulation in order to learn the hardships that the emigrating settlers faced. For this U.S. history lesson, students are required to work as a team and use the internet to research a final...

Students investigate life on the trail West. In this Oregon Trail lesson, students collaborate to research the pioneer life and then role play a family's life on the trail. Students author an essay regarding their research finding and...