Curated OER
Showdown in the New Wild West
What is the root of the conflict between ranchers and environmentalists? Middle schoolers write their impressions of what an environmentalist is and does. They read the New York Times article "In New Wild West, It's Cowboys vs....
Curated OER
The Wild, Wild West, or Was It?
Fifth graders explore the American West. In this Westward Expansion lesson, 5th graders examine the opportunities that the West offered American pioneers. Students watch a montage video and analyze primary documents regarding the...
Curated OER
The Wild, Wild West
Sixth graders research the history of the transcontinental railroad. They use advertising propaganda techniques to design and create a poster encouraging people to explore the West by rail.
Curated OER
Ride 'Em Cowboy (Buffalo Bill Cody and the Wild West Show)
Young scholars research the impact of Buffalo Bill Cody and his Wild West Show on the world's view of American western culture. They create a poster advertising the Wild West Show.
Curated OER
You Be the Judge
Students explore nonfiction writing by completing a worksheet in class. In this research questions instructional activity, students read several stories about the Wild West icons Wyatt Earp and Wild Bill Hickok. Students answer study...
Polk Bros Foundation
John F. Kennedy: Remarks in the Rudolph Wilde Platz, Berlin
“Ich bin ein Berliner.” Here’s the full text of John F. Kennedy’s famous address delivered to the people of Berlin on June 26, 1963. The resource could be used as part of a study of Kennedy’s presidency, of rhetorical devices, or as...
Curated OER
Buffalo Bill
Students explore the life and times of Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley from the Wild West days. They critique their performances on stage and brainstorm various reasons for the shows popularity with Eastern audiences. Each student is also...
Curated OER
Wild Habitats
Students research and Illustrate the natural habitats of giraffes and other animals imported into ancient Rome. They draw a map of Europe, North Africa, and West Asia and draw the animals that come from each region in their proper places.
Curated OER
Factors Contributing To the U.S. Dominance of the Pacific Northwest
Students examine the painting Columbia by John Gast. They discuss the concept of Manifest Destiny and the role of different groups (miners, missionaries, fur trappers, farmers, etc.) in the Americanization of the West. In groups, they...
Curated OER
Scops, Rappers and You: Historians with Style!
Students examine the epic poem Beowulf. In this analyzing poetry lesson, student compare listen to the Will Smith song "Wild, Wild West" and read Beowulf. Students analyze the song and the poem. Students then research an influential...
Curated OER
Little House in the Census: Almanzo and Laura Ingalls Wilder
Students view copies of the 1880 and 1900 censuses and then create and conduct their own census of their homes, comparing all three.
Curated OER
Western-Genre Films
Students watch westerns and analyze them. They identify the plot, characters and the sounds in the film. They research icons of the American west and prepare a presentation. They share their presentation with the class.
Curated OER
Tracking Down the Real Billy the Kid
Students analyze the role that gunfighters played in the settlement of the West and distinguish between their factual and fictional accounts. Using internet research, students explore the life of Billy the Kid. They write an essay on...
Curated OER
Mustang: Wild Spirit of the West
Students write a day in the life story from the point of view of another endangered animal. Students write to your local newspaper to express their opinions on the issue. Students research a horse's diet and explain why horses have...
Curated OER
The Wild Wild Mid-West
Eleventh graders examine reasons for Louisiana Purchase and identify those who played key roles in it, create map of Louisiana Purchase and states that are part of it, and analyze overall importance of Louisiana Purchase.
National First Ladies' Library
Will Rogers
Learners explore the concepts of irony and humor. They discuss Will Rogers' history and determine that he was a humorist who many viewed as very wise. They read quotes of Will Rogers and determine that everybody is ignorant, only on...
Curated OER
Horse Sense
Students research wild horses in the American West. They brainstorm how they can help preserve the wild horses.
Curated OER
Ecotourism in National Parks and Wilderness
Young scholars develop a plan for ecotourism after researching a nearby national park or wild area.
Curated OER
Animal Invasion
Students research and illustrate the natural habitats and evolution of giraffes and other animals imported into ancient Rome. They draw a map of Europe, North Africa, and West Asia and draw the animals from each region in their proper...
Curated OER
Cowboy Violence
Students examine images of cowboys and gunfighters in Western films and dime novels and discuss whether cowboys were really violent. They read several historical interpretations of cowboy violence. In addition, they distinguish between...
Curated OER
Researching the Past
Learners research the western movement in order to learn note taking strategies with nonfiction texts. They use the Internet to search for important information about the western movement using the Cornell Notes note-taking system. They...
California Polytechnic State University
Australian Geography Unit
At the heart of this resource is a beautifully detailed PowerPoint presentation (provided in PDF form) on the overall physical geography of Australia, basic facts about the country, Aboriginal history, and Australia culture and lifestyle.
Curated OER
Herstory: Women portrayed in film
Students examine various videos and books about Harriet Tub man, Annie Oakley, and Wilma Rudolph. They conduct research, participate in games, and write stories involving these three women.
Curated OER
The Formation and Value of Temperate Grasslands
Learners study the Temperate Grasslands biome of North America. They explain that it is an endangered ecosystem because the rich soils have been converted to farming in most areas. They view videos imbedded in this plan, then complete...