Curated OER
Cut Outs: Shapes and Symbols
Students create collages based on Juan Quick-to-See Smith's "Ode to Chief Seattle." In this shapes, symbols and Native American lesson, students examine the "Ode to Chief Seattle" and Henri Matisse's cutout work. Students design their...
NET Foundation for Television
1850-1874 The Kansas-Nebraska Act
How the Kansas-Nebraska Act created Bleeding Kansas is complicated—until scholars research and examine documents from the time. After completing activities that include mapping, photo, document analysis, and discussion, learners...
Curated OER
Salt of the Earth: A Caddo Industry in Arkansas
Middle schoolers explore the history of the Caddo Salt Industry found in Arkansas. Along with learning about how salt deposits formed in Arkansas, learners study the process of salt production and how valuable salt is as a natural...
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
Ready-Set-Go-Whoa!
The Apaches: People of the Southwest offers readers a chance to employ the “Ready-Set-Go-Whoa!” strategy (an adaptation of the KWL) to test what they know and summarize what they learn as they read Jennifer Fleischner’s nonfiction...
Curated OER
Fertilizers, Pesticides and Human Health- American Lessons
Students explore migration and why people move. They explore the movement of native populations. Students explore the economy as an factor in migration. They discuss the exploitation of the migrant worker.
Curated OER
What Counts as History?
Eighth graders explore the question "What Counts as History?" In this Philosophy activity, 8th graders pretend that they are going to interview a historian. Students read a primary source and answer the questions that follow.
Curated OER
Pilgrims: The First Americans
Fifth graders become familar with the pilgrims and first Thanksgiving through essays about important people of the time. In this Thanksgiving lesson plan, 5th graders choose an important figure from the time of the Pilgrims and write a...
Curated OER
Teaching With Documents Lesson Plan: Sioux Treaty of 1868
High schoolers study the Sioux and their lives in the Black Hills before 1868. They engage in a wide variety of cross-curricular activities which give them a good understanding of the Sioux culture.
Curated OER
A Day in the Life of a San Francisco Native Animal
Young scholars write from an animal's perspective. In this writing lesson students explore the landscape of San Francisco prior to the arrival of the explorers. Young scholars research animals indigenous to the area.
Curated OER
U.S. History: The Progressive Era
Students examine the Colonial Revival Movement as a response to industrialization and immigration. focusing on Deerfield, Connecticut, they create a documentary artifact reflecting the period.
Curated OER
Turn of the Century Immigration
Students explore the immigration wave that hit the United States in 19th century. For this immigration lesson, students examine primary and secondary sources to determine what the immigration experience was like for new citizens....
Curated OER
Prairie Voices: Abbie Gardner Sharp Cabin
Young scholars study the events of the Spirit Lake Massacre. In this Iowa history lesson, students consider the role of Abbie Gardner in the Spirit Lake Massacre as their instructor presents a lecture.
Curated OER
King Phillip's War: A Primary Source, Exploring Options, and Sachem's Speech Writing Activity
High schoolers study the causes and effects of King Philip's War. In this Native American history instructional activity, students examine the options that the Native Americans had in 1676 New England. High schoolers weigh the pros and...
Curated OER
The Witch of Goingsnake
Students interpret a proverb and read examples of oral histories. In this The Witch of Goingsnake lesson, students read two samples of oral history and discuss quotations from each. Students read "Calf Roper's Bandit Car" and interpret...
Curated OER
Corn in Legend and Myth
Seventh graders compare myths and legends about corn and use creative abilities to act them out. In this corn legends lesson, 7th graders read background information about corn and its importance. Students work in groups to research...
Curated OER
Manifest Destiny--a Simulation
Students participate in a simulation activity to help them explain the attitudes involved during the Manifest Destiny period in American history. It provides a clear demonstration of territorial disputes.
Curated OER
Latin Culture Through Art and Literature
Eleventh graders participate in a lecture on the history of Latin Americans and the role of Latin-American women writers. As a class, they read a story together and identify what lessons the narrator gained throughout the story. In...
Curated OER
Civil Rights and the Michigan Supreme Court II
High schoolers view a PowerPoint presentation on the Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society's Civil Rights and/or the Native American Rights. They write a reaction paper and prepare for a class discussion. They work in groups and...
Curated OER
Bay Area: Race and Land
Students examine the role that racism played in the growth of the Bay Area. They discover how turn-of-the-century boosters promoted a vision of the Bay Area. They study the American Indian Movement's takeover of Alcatraz Island in 1969,...
Curated OER
The Night Chanter Project
High schoolers sketch a design based on "The Night Chanter." In this art design lesson, students listen to the Native American prayer, "The Night Chanter" and illustrate their personal vision of the chant. High schoolers critique the...
Curated OER
Northwest Coast Indian Raven Mask Lesson Plan
Young scholars create raven masks. In this Northwest Coast Native American lesson, students design and create Kwakiutl-style hats that feature the shapes, animals, and colors used by the Northwest Native Americans.
Curated OER
To Tell The Truth
Students play "To Tell The Truth" Art History style in this fun and interactive game for the upper-elementary Art classroom. Included in the lesson is a detailed set of rules and suggestions for successful classroom implementation.
Curated OER
First Nation People and European Explorers
Sixth graders investigate the characteristics of explorers. They research the factors that contributed to the first European explorers that came to North America. Students also concentrate on the interactions that explorers had with...