Curated OER
Begin With a Buffalo
Learners research native people living on the Great Plains and how they depended on the buffalo for survival and discover the many uses for their hides and other parts. They create a detailed display to show several items that were made...
Curated OER
The American Prairie
Students design an animal. In this prairie activity, students learn about physical and behavioral adaptation, locate the Great Plains on a map, and design an animal that would be perfectly adapted for life on the prairie. Students...
Curated OER
Early Explorers
Fifth graders examine how the environment and climate affected Pre-Colombian settlements. In this civilization lesson, 5th graders view pictures of different Native American tribes in different places and discuss how different groups...
Curated OER
History of Irrigation on the Great Plains
Learners explore irrigation in the Great Plains throughout history. In this irrigation lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture on the history of irrigation in the world and on the Great Plains. Learners conduct...
Curated OER
A Study of Grasses on the American Prairie
Fifth graders study the ecology and impact of animal and human life as it relates to the environment of the Great Plains and its grasses. They compare types of grasses with a rainfall map to illustrate the effect of precipitation on...
Curated OER
Whose Buffalo?
Seventh graders examine how the Plains Indians vied with white commercial buffalo hunters for the millions of Great Plains buffalo. They create an illustrated broadside supporting the interests of either the Indians or the commercial...
Curated OER
Whose Buffalo?
Seventh graders examine how the Plains Indians vied with white commercial buffalo hunters for the millions of Great Plains buffalo. They create an illustrated broadside supporting the interests of either the Indians or the commercial...
Curated OER
American Settlement of the Great Plains
Seventh graders examine the Great Plains. In this American settlement lesson, 7th graders create a map of the settled areas in the United States. Students discuss the struggle between settlers and the Native Americans.
Curated OER
At Home on the Range
Fifth graders complete a worksheet. In this bison and great plains lesson, 5th graders read information about bison and complete a worksheet of comprehension questions. Students locate the American Great Plains on a map and answer the...
Curated OER
Native American's Of the Great Plains
In this social studies worksheet, students find the words that are related to the Great Plains Indians and the answers are found at the bottom of the page.
Curated OER
The Displacement of the Native Americans
Seventh graders comprehend the interaction and conflict between Native Americans and white settlers in the years following the Civil War. They examine how those conflicts impacted the Native American way of life on the Great Plains.
Curated OER
Exploration and Settlement of the American Southwest
Students scrutinize the Zuni Pueblo Revolt in this seven lessons unit on early Spanish explorers in the American southwest. The discovery of the Spanish missions, the search for the seven cities of gold, and particular geological...
Library of Congress
Loc: American Memory: Prairie Settlement, 1862 1912
Read letters from homesteaders in Nebraska and view photographs of prairie life in Nebraska. Visitors can browse by topic, date, or keyword.
Other
North Dakota State University: The Geologic Story of the Great Plains
Provides information on the Great Plains under the following sections: What is the Great Plains, the Great Plains -- its parts, early history, sculpturing the land, and landforms of today.
Other
Camp Silos: Exploring the Prairie
An excellent site for studying the Iowa prairie. Offers wonderful facts and interactive activities for students to do individually or as a group. Identifies national standards and lesson plans for the teaching of prairie life. Provides...
Northwestern University
American Memory: Edward S. Curtis's North American Indian: Photographic Images
Find Native American tribes grouped by geographic location as well as relevant information and pictures.
Other
Prairie Grasslands
Describes the Prairie grasslands of the U.S and the various types of prairies.
PBS
Pbs: The Dust Bowl
You are about to embark on an experience that will show you what life was like on the southern Great Plains during the Dust Bowl. On your journey, you will learn about the changing market and weather conditions and be asked to make...
US Geological Survey
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
The Great Plains organization provides individuals, organizations, and governments with key information about the Great Plains environment through a resource pool of publications, reports, and government data.
Wessels Living History Farm
Living History Farm: Farming in the 1920s
Experience what farming was like in Nebraska in the 1920s. Many farms lacked electricity, indoor plumbing, refrigerators, and other conveniences enjoyed by city dwellers. Stories, pictures, and videos make the history of rural 1920s...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Life on the Great Plains
A detailed lesson plan that explores "the concept of region and how culture and experience influence the perception of regions." Site provides many excellent websites for young scholars and teachers to explore during their study of the...
Other
Ecological Regions of North America [Pdf]
A helpful map of North America which color codes its 15 ecological regions. Click on the different regions for a brief description of the area. Requires Adobe Reader. [PDF]
Other
Blackfoot Nation
An official site of the Blackfoot Nation in Montana. Gives a look into their history, culture, and government.
Other
The Great Plains in Midwestern Culture
Discusses the history of the people on the Great Plains, both the Native Americans and early settlers.