Center for History Education
Transforming the West: Did the Reality Match the Expectations for Kansas Homesteaders?
They expected good soil and hearty crops ... but they found buffalo chips and grasshopper plagues. Using an advertisement encouraging famers to go west, budding historians examine primary sources including letters, photographs, and...
Curated OER
Indian Removal to the Great American Desert
Seventh graders examine American policies to relocate Native Americans. In this Native American history lesson, 7th graders determine why Native Americans were relocated and investigate their response to the policies as they analyze...
Curated OER
Frontier Forts
Seventh graders study frontier forts. In this Kansas history lesson, 7th graders research the history and conditions of Fort Leavenworth, Fort Scott, Fort Riley, Fort Larned, and Fort Hays. Students write letters from the perspective of...
Curated OER
Populism and Governor Lewelling
Seventh graders investigate the impact of the Populist Party. In this Kansas history lesson, 7th graders examine historical documents that enable them to find out what the Populist Party stood for and how Governor Lewelling dealt with...
Curated OER
The Civil War Comes to Kansas: The Battle of Mine Creek
Seventh graders explore the impact of Price's Raid and the Battle of Mine Creek. In this American Civil War instructional activity, 7th graders examine a list of events based on the war in Kansas and then put them in chronological order....
Curated OER
Where is Kansas?
Students explore U.S. Geography by analyzing a map. In this state vs. country lesson, students utilize a U.S. map and locate the state of Kansas before researching the history and customs of the state. Students collaborate as a class to...
Curated OER
Airplane Manufacturing in Kansas
Seventh graders determine how Kansas become a producer of airplanes. In this Kansas history instructional activity, 7th graders read selected Read Kansas! cards and articles. Students then discuss the primary sources they read regarding...
Curated OER
Kansans on the Move
Second graders explore U.S. history by researching the state of Kansas. In this transportation instructional activity, 2nd graders research the transit habits of Kansas residents in the past and how challenging it could be for them to...
Curated OER
Immigrants to Kansas: Why Did They Come
Students explore U.S. History by researching Kansas. In this immigration activity, students discuss the benefits of immigrating to a state like Kansas in the 1800's while writing their thoughts and research in a reporter's notebook....
Curated OER
The People of Kansas: Who Are They and Why Are They Here?
Students examine the settlement patterns of the Kansas Territory. In this Kansas history lesson, students analyze primary documents from the pioneers in the territory. Students write letters or perform skits that feature their findings.
Curated OER
Kansas Symbols Bingo
Students play Kansas Symbols Bingo. In this Kansas history lesson, students review the 8 state symbols: buffalo, wheat, cottonwood tree, honeybee, meadowlark, salamander, sunflower, and turtle. Students then participate in a game of...
Curated OER
The Depletion of the Buffalo
Seventh graders consider different cultural viewpoints. In this Kansas history instructional activity, 7th graders examine the depletion of buffalo as a contention point between Native American and European settlers. Students read diary...
Curated OER
This Guilty Land
Students read and discuss several informational cards about John Brown, the historical context he lived in and his abolitionist cause. They complete a character chart and write an epitaph that conveys their opinion of his actions.
Curated OER
The People of Kansas: Where Did They Come From and Why Did They Come?
Pupils research and discuss the reasons why early settlers emigrated to Kansas. They, in groups, analyze census district reports from the 1850's and then identify the advantages and disadvantages of using this information as research.
Curated OER
Town Development
Students use a map of Kansas in the 1800s to discuss town development and issues related to slavery. They create fictitious towns to promote to outsiders.
Other
Books of the Kansas Collection: History of Kansas
The University of Kansas provides an online book, William G. Cutler's "History of the state of Kansas," published in 1883, which chronicles the history of Kansas.
A&E Television
History.com: Kansas
Take a detailed look at the state of Kansas! From its earliest history and peoples, to present day facts which include population, climate, geography, plants and animals, economy, government, cultural life, sports and recreation,...
Kansas Historical Society
Kansas History in a Nutshell
Huge site spanning the entire history of Kansas broken into several eras. Includes a timeline, several primary source documents, and photos. For such a large site, very easy to navigate.
Cayuse Canyon
The Us50: Kansas
Features comprehensive information about Kansas history, famous people, cities, geography, state parks, tourism, and historic sites. A fact sheet of information and a quiz are also available.
NSTATE
Learn About the 50 States: The Great Seal of Kansas
Provides a brief description of the great seal of Kansas and its admittance to the Union.