Huntington Library: Coming to California [Pdf]

In this lesson, 4th graders examine entries from Juan Bautista de Anza's diary and other documents to understand the experiences and obstacles he and his companions faced as they traveled from Arizona to California in 1774. Student...

Through this set of three lessons about Ellis Island, class members will learn about why immigrants came to the United States, find out about the difficulties that went along with coming to America, become familiar with the immigration...

While the Spanish claimed to bring civilization to California indigenous peoples, in reality, they also brought violence and forced assimilation to European values. Primary sources, such as the reports of Catholic priests and Europeans...

In this instructional activity, 5th graders look at what role the Stamp Act played in the lead-up to the American Revolution. Includes background information for the teacher. Students learn about taxes, study a timeline and maps,...

In this lesson, 5th graders look at ideas and British policies that contributed to the outbreak of the American Revolution. Includes background information for the teacher. Students explore ideas that were circulating in America before...

In this lesson, 5th graders learn about westward expansion and the Lewis and Clark expedition. Includes background information for the teacher. Students explore primary and secondary resource readings on the Louisiana Purchase, President...

For this lesson, learners examine early civilizations and the evolution of written language, at different early methods used to record information in writing, how these methods evolved, and at the impact of books on societies.

In this lesson, 5th graders learn about the people who founded the New England colonies and the role that religion played in shaping them. Includes background information for the teacher. Students explore primary resource readings on the...

In this lesson, 5th graders examine letters and entries from George Washington's diaries to understand more about his character and ambitions, and the conflict and cooperation that existed between the French and English colonists and the...

In this lesson, 5th graders learn about the bill of Rights, why it was added to the Constitution, and its importance to the freedoms and liberties that Americans have today. Student resources are included.