National Wildlife Federation
Quantifying Land Changes Over Time in Areas of Deforestation and Urbanization
Is qualitative or quantitative research more convincing when it comes to climate change? In the eighth lesson during this 21-part series, scholars begin by performing a quantitative analysis of deforestation and urbanization. Then, they...
Curated OER
Writing Exercise: Economic and Social Revolution I
Learners take a critical look at the economic and social changes that stemmed from the industrial revolution. There are three short essay questions for them to answer regarding suffrage, changes in women's rights, and urbanization as a...
Curated OER
Urban Changes
Students explore how landscapes undergo constant changes with urban development. They plan and build their own "city" by including features that have minimal resource demands to sustain the city itself.
Illinois State University
Tragedy, Triumph, or Trespass?
Did westward expansion really live up to the dream of adventurers for a new life and opportunities for land and resources? While designed for a flipped classroom, try using this resource to evaluate primary sources alongside your class!...
Curated OER
The Mathematics of Convection: Nature's Model for Energy Production
High schoolers conduct a series of experiments to investigate density, buoyancy and climate. In this math lesson, pupils design and build a hot air balloon to demonstrate convection. They research and write a paper about solar chimneys.
Curated OER
The Case of Vanishing Farmland
High schoolers consider decisions about how to use resources that are in short supply. Students role-play different perspectives in a land-use simulation, and examine land use issues around the world. This interesting instructional...
Curated OER
Immigration into an Urban Industralized Northeast: 1879-1914
Learners study how three ethnic groups were introduced to urban, industrialize, northern cities. They examine how these groups were greeted and accepted be the 'native born' Americans and how successful they were in assimilating with...
Curated OER
Skagway: Gateway to the Klondike
Students explore the impact of the Klondike Gold Rush on the development of Skagway, Alaska. Lesson can be used in units on western expansion, late 19th and early 20th-century commerce, and urban history.
Curated OER
Photography and the National Park Service
During the 1800s the United States was expanding westward; land was there for the taking. Kids explore how some early photographers used their photography to influenced the US Congress to save areas like Mirror Lake. They complete a...
Curated OER
Lewis and Clark: Meeting the Indians of the Northwest
Eighth graders examine the relationships forged with Native Americans by Lewis and Clark. In this Westward Expansion lesson plan, 8th graders research digital and print sources to study details regarding the Native American tribes that...
Curated OER
From Umayyad to Abbasid Empires
You can't truly understand the present until you understand the past. Bring a historical context to you next social studies class with an exceptional presentation on the ancient Arab and Islamic empires of Umayyad and Abbasid. Slides...
Curated OER
Gwynns Falls
Middle schoolers investigate the question: What is the impact of urban development and expansion on the health of a decidious forest ecosystem and humans? They examine the issue of land development by responding to a specific scenario...
Curated OER
Home Ties
Students explore the reasons people choose to migrate including political, economic and familial motivations. They interview family members and compare their ancestors own reasons for migration to those of African American urban migrants.
Curated OER
The Emerald Necklace: Boston's Green Connection
This lesson plan could be used in U.S. history, social studies, and geography courses in units on urban expansion in the late 19th century or city planning.
Curated OER
To Move or Not to Move? Decision Making and Sacrifice
Students examine the motivations that prompted people to move westward during the 19th century. They take on the role of an average citizen and weigh the costs and benefits of making such a move and decide if they would have participated...
Curated OER
Streamlines and Breadlines
Students explore the Great Depression. In this Great Depression lesson, students research selected websites and analyze primary sources to conduct inquiries regarding the depression, northern migration, and urbanization. Students author...
Curated OER
Understanding Political Cartoons
Young scholars draw two political cartoons. They compare the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890 to the stand-off that took place at Wounded Knee in l973. They examine the role that Manifest Destiny played in the West.
Curated OER
The Crusades
For this Middle Ages worksheet, students read a 1-page selection about the Crusades, examine the listed Web sites about the topic, and then respond to 13 short answer questions about the information presented.
Curated OER
Boston's Arnold Arboretum
Students examine how 19th-century urban conditions influenced the development of parks. They research local trees and shrubs, develop a display of trees and shrubs, plan a new park or arboretum, and write a report on a local park.
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
The Homestead Act
To understand how the Homestead Act of 1862 changed the US and the lives of the people during that time, class members examine primary source materials including letters, broadsides, and images. They then assume the voice of a...
Curated OER
Trial at the Turn of the Century
Students examine and explore various aspects of change at the turn of the century including economic, political, civil and others. Students then locate and analyze various primary sources to write an essay that demonstrates their...
Curated OER
Navigating Through Capital History
Fourth graders research the history of Tallahassee using a Website and other materials to determine why the capital is where it is today. They organize the information on a timeline and investigate the "heart" of Florida.
Curated OER
The Rural World Seen by Artists 1848-1914
Students prepare to visit the art museum and view the rural world as seen by artists of 1848 - 1914. In this Monet lesson, students examine the haystacks series of artworks by Monet. Students observe social change in the rural community...
Curated OER
Transportation in Canada
Learners investigate the effect human activities have on the environment. In this geography lesson, students compose an article using data analysis about the environment. This article requires some homework assignment.