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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Cowboy Life

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Travel back in time to the 1800s and research the Old West! Elementary and middle schoolers work with a partner to complete at least four activities from a list provided by the teacher. They use these activities to present their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oklahoma! The Cultural Myth of America

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore cultural myths in America by collecting images and characteristics of stereotypical Americans. They read a primary source document, discussing the views of the author in class. Next, they compare the terms used to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How the West Was One - Three x Four

For Teachers 6th
While this lesson provides a motivating and interesting way to review the concept of the order of operations, it involves the use of software called How the West Was One + Three x Four. There are also other resources that are referenced,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who is Who in the Old West?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners consider the backgrounds of those who settled the Old West. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students participate in a simulation that requires them to role play miners, ranchers, Native Americans, Chinese, African Americans,...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Cattledrives & Barbed Wire

For Students 6th - 8th
For this United States history worksheet, students utilize a word bank of 10 terms or phrases to answer 10 fill in the blank questions about the development of the West. A short answer question is included as well.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

The Old West

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this literacy activity, students look for the words that are related to the concept of the Old West. The skill of spelling is emphasized.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Little House in the Census: Almanzo and Laura Ingalls Wilder

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners view copies of the 1880 and 1900 censuses and then create and conduct their own census of their homes, comparing all three.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Glidden's Patent Application for Barbed Wire

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students discuss the invention of barbed wire and how it affected various groups of peoples in the U.S. after its invention.
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Website
Ibis Communications

Eye Witness to History: The Old West

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides first-hand accounts and background information on the Old West. Content touches on crossing the plains, cowboys, train robberies, Dalton Gang's Last Raid, Custer's Last Stand, the Death of Billy the Kid, and much...
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Handout
Other

Women in History: Mary Fields

For Students 3rd - 8th
This site contains facts about the life of Stagecoach Mary Fields (1832-1913).
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Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: On the Oregon Trail

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson plan, students will consider On the Oregon Trail. Worksheets and other supporting materials can be found under the Resources tab.
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Website
Legends of America

Legends of America

For Students 9th - 10th
"A Travel Site for the Nostalgic and History Minded". If you love history, you'll love this site. Featured is much detailed information on history, people, legends, ghost towns, outlaws, and so much more.
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Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Colorado

For Students 3rd - 5th
Discover more about the Rocky Mountains. Why is Colorado called the "Centennial State?" Look at this website for captivating facts.
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Website
Other

Doing History, Keeping the Past

For Students 3rd - 8th
Fun site gives great pictures and explanations of Colorado history: farmers and ranchers, city dwellers, mining towns, Native Americans. Take virtual field trips into Denver's history.
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Transcontinental Railroad

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Explore the mechanics of railroad trains. Investigate boom towns and explore the life and challenges of sheriffs in these frontier settlements.
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Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: Cowboys of the Old West

For Students 9th - 10th
Interesting facts and an overview of the life of the cowboys of the Old West between 1865 and 1885.
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Handout
Other

Women in History: Martha Jane "Calamity Jane" Canary

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a biographical sketch of Martha Jane "Calamity Jane" Canary (1852-1903) with many passages from her autobiography.