Digital Public Library of America
The American Whaling Industry
When thinking about the American whaling industry most imagine Moby Dick and Nantucket sleigh rides, harpoons and scrimshaw, whale-oil lamps and baleen in women's corsets. But it may come as a surprise that the industry was also...
Curated OER
Development of the English Colonies
Students research one of the original 13 colonies using the included worksheet. They also record their findings on a poster board to use during a class presentation. Students then take notes on the presentations using the provided...
Curated OER
Should We Hunt the Largest Animals on the Planet?
Students discover details about whaling. In this environmental stewardship lesson, students research selected websites to locate information about commercial whaling and its implications.
Curated OER
How Do Values Shape Conflicts?
Students work through conflict. In this conflict resolution lesson, students participate in a simulation that requires them to consider both sides of the whaling issue.
Curated OER
San Ignacio Lagoon: Economy or Ecology
Students debate over the development in the habitat of gray whales. In this role playing lesson, students will take on various roles in a debate over the development of a salt production facility in the San Ignacio Lagoon concerning the...
Curated OER
A Natural Connection to the Azores
Students use primary sources to examine whaling voyages, biology, and geography. In this geography lesson, students analyze ship logs and plot locations of animals and determine routes using latitude and longitude.
Curated OER
A Quick Look at the Makah Whaling Issue
Students discuss the idea of values and how they are different for different people and cultures. Using the Internet, they read about the Makah whaling issue affecting the Pacific Northwest. They discuss who has the right and authority...
Curated OER
Whaling Slide Show
Tenth graders research a database on whaling. They search for photos that represent the whaling industry. In the classroom they use a projector and give a five-minute presentation.
Other
Martha's Vineyard Museum: Laura Jernegan: Girl on a Whaleship
Six-year-old Laura Jernegan, who kept a journal of her three-year voyage aboard a whaling ship (1868-71), left an enduring legacy of her time. Laura's journal follows the experiences of her family's journey and draws many memorable...
Curated OER
National Park Service: New Bedford Whaling Historical Park: History & Culture
This national park site offers insight into the economic stimulus whaling brought to New England and has left behind a strong history for that region.
Curated OER
National Park Service: New Bedford Whaling Historical Park:technology&business
Read about the many products obtained from whales, how the whales were hunted, and how the business of whaling was run. This dangerous business brought riches to New England for about a century.
Other
New Bedford Whaling Museum: Online Exhibitions
The New Bedford Whaling Museum provides a well-done, comprehensive site that includes all aspects of American whaling. This site is a pleasure to amble through if you love the lore and legend of late eighteenth-century sailing ships,...
Royal Geographical Society
Royal Geographical Society: Antarctica: Extreme Wilderness
Information, activities and images of Antarctica including a number from Scott's expedition to the South Pole.
Scholastic
Scholastic News: Week of 4 14 14: Good News for Whales
Learn about the changes happening in Japan that will help protect whales.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: The American Whaling Industry
This collection uses primary sources to explore the American whaling industry.
Library of Congress
Loc: Portuguese in the u.s.: Whaling, Fishing, and Industrial Employment
This brief article outlines the the employement of Portuguese immigrants in the whaling industry in southern New England in the 19th century.
Other
Newfoundland's Grand Banks: Basque Whalers in Southern Labrador 1540 1610
A description of early whaling by Basque sailors off the coast of Labrador.
NOAA
Noaa: Maritime Heritage: Our Whaling Pasts
A look at whaling in history worldwide, and specifically, whaling in the American "Golden Age" of whaling.
Curated OER
National Park Service: New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
Read about the lives of the men and women in New Bedford. Massachusetts, in the heyday of whaling.
Other
New Bedford Historical Society: Lewis Temple
Biography of African-American Lewis Temple, whose toggle iron radically improved the harpoon used by whalers in the 19th century.
Other
Planet Ark: World Environmental News
Welcome to Planet Ark's daily Reuters World Environment News - the most comprehensive source of environmental news on the Net. To read previous news stories, please use the search engine below to find stories relating to any...
Other
Salariya: You Wouldn't Want to Sail on the Whaling Ship Essex!
This online book for younger readers tells pitfalls of sailing on a New England whaling ship. Although a cartoon format, it contains valid and useful information about whaling in New England.
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: The American Whaling Industry
The resources here, including artifacts, photographs, official documents, and maps, represent the American whaling industry. Includes teaching guide.
BBC
Bbc News: The Inuit Case for Whaling
This BBC News article concerns Inuit whaling practices and current regulations. Includes information on Inuit culture and international laws.