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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jim Thorpe's Bright Path

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Young scholars read about the life of Jim Thorpe and answer focus lessons about the book.  In this Jim Thorpe lesson, students celebrate the American Indian culture and learn of the hardships Jim Thorpe overcame.  Young scholars find...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Andrew Jackson and the Trail of Tears

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine the three historical portraits Andrew Jackson, iam Pitt and Portrait of a Boy for symbolism. They research Andrew Jackson's involvement in the Cherokee Indians' Trail of Tears in North Carolina, and compose a portrait.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changing Opinions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare their preconceptions of Native American movement with their current perceptions. They identify why they have changed. Students conclude with a final reflection addressing how they define the Native American experience in...
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Primary
US National Archives

Our Documents: President Andrew Jackson's Message, 'On Indian Removal'

For Students 9th - 10th
Interactive image of the original document through which President Andrew Jackson called for "Indian Removal," in 1830. Includes transcription as well as background and overview of the text and results of the Indian Removal policy.
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Primary
US National Archives

Our Documents:president Jackson's Message to Congress 'On Indian Removal' (1830)

For Students 9th - 10th
On December 6, 1830, President Jackson spoke to Congress about his position on relocating Indians in order to make way for settlers in the west. This paved the way for government policy in dealing with native peoples even after his...
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Handout
Missouri State University

Delaware Town: Removal Era

For Students 9th - 10th
Discussion of the removal of American Indians living east of the Mississippi River beginning in the late 1700s. Initially, these removals were voluntary, resulting from treaty negotiations. In 1830, Congress passed the Indian Removal...
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Primary
Mount Holyoke College

International Relations: Andrew Jackson's Case for the Removal of Indians

For Students 9th - 10th
Here, read the text to President Jackson's "First Annual Message to Congress, 8 December 1830," in which Jackson argues for the removal of Native Americans.
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Website
Other

Family Search: Creek Indians

For Students 9th - 10th
This website provides a fairly comprehensive look at the Creek Indians including a brief history, a timeline, birth and death records, references, and links to historical records. These records include: census data, and information from...
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Website
Other

Eastern Band of Cherokee: History and Culture

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief history of the Cherokee tribe in the southwest United States, its culture, government, and religion. Find out about the Cherokee who were subject to the Indian Removal Act of 1830, and see how the Cherokee in North Carolina have...
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Activity
Other

Cincinnati Arts Association: Native American Heritage [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
This study guide, originally designed to accompany an artist-in-the-schools outreach program, can be used to teach about hidden Native communities that populated the Ohio region after the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
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Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Andrew Jackson: Domestic Affairs

For Students 9th - 10th
A comprehensive overview of the domestic issues facing Andrew Jackson in his presidency, from the "spoils system" to veto of the bank recharter to his Indian removal policy.
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Handout
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1865 1898: Indian Wars and Battle of Little Bighorn

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the series of events and conflicts in the Indian Wars that culminated in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, or Custer's Last Stand. Includes questions for students at end.
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Graphic
PBS

Pbs: Indian Territory

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from PBS provides a short description and map of "the Indian Territory set aside by the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the areas designated for each tribe."
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Handout
Other

Civics Resources: Worcester v. Georgia

For Students 9th - 10th
In December 1829, President Andrew Jackson announced his Indian removal proposal in an address to the U.S. Congress. In 1830 Congress passed the Indian Removal Act, which authorized the president to grant the Indians unsettled lands west...
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Activity
Other

Cherokee Messenger: Brief History of the Trail of Tears

For Students 9th - 10th
This website gives details about the events that led up to the displacement of the Cherokee Indians and the "Trail of Tears."
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Website
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: Liberty for All? Webisode 3

For Students 9th - 10th
Webisode 3 - Liberty for All? The history of the United States is presented in a series of webisodes, within each are a number of segments.Included are links to lesson plans, teacher guides, resources, activities, and tools.
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Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: "Excerpt From Trail of Tears Diary" by Jobe Alexander & Mary Hill

For Students 7th - 8th
CommonLit.org is a wonderful resource to use in a Language Arts classroom. Each story or article is accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. In addition, students can click on words to see...
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Website
Other

Crystalinks: Trail of Tears

For Students 9th - 10th
Detailed information on the Trail of Tears which refers to the forced relocation of the Cherokee Native American tribe to the Western United States in 1838-39. This tragic event resulted in the deaths of an estimated 4,000 Cherokee...
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Activity
Northern Illinois University

Getting the Message Out: The National Republican Party

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief summary of the National Republican Party lists some of the prominent members of the party and the party's views on various issues.
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Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Life on Reservations

For Students 9th - 10th
A learning module that begins with "Life on Reservations" by Jessica McBirney, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through free...
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Primary
US National Archives

Our Documents: A National Initiative on American History, Civics, and Service

For Students 9th - 10th
Our Documents is home to one hundred milestone documents that influenced that course of American history and American democracy. Includes full-page scans of each document, transcriptions, background information on their significance, and...
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Activity
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Trail of Tears

For Students 3rd - 5th
Use this site to learn more about the Cherokee's journey from their home and why it's called the Trail of Tears.
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Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: Trail of Tears

For Students 9th - 10th
The article provides facts and information about the tragic journey of the Cherokee tribe and other members of the Five Civilised Tribes called the "Trail of Tears" with key dates and a map.