Curated OER
Twain: Steamboat's a-Comin'
Students discover how rivers inspire creative expression. In this Mark Twain lesson, students list songs about rivers and discuss common characteristics. They locate the Mississippi River on a map and write a script in which a steamboat...
PBS
Think Like a Historian: A Viewing Guide
Calling all junior detectives! Scholars use the tools of investigation to determine the causes and impacts of the American Civil War. Using viewing guides, videos, group research, and written resources, they discover what it takes to...
PBS
Abraham Lincoln: Man versus Legend
Abraham Lincoln was one of the greatest presidents ever ... right? Scholars research the accomplishments and struggles of the Lincoln presidency. They uncover facts, materials and information via video clips, primary, and secondary...
PBS
Evaluating Conflicting Evidence: Sultana
What sunk the Sultana? Scholars become investigators to uncover the facts behind the 1865 sinking just after the end of the Civil War. Through group work, videos, and primary documents, they research and analyze why 1,800 men died....
Curated OER
Mark Twain- Teaching About American Authors
Mark Twain lesson plans can shed light on his famous works, like "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer."
Curated OER
Prairie Voices: German Immigrants Move to Iowa
Students create historically accurate travel journals. In this Iowa history instructional activity, students research the German immigration experience as they write travel journals that feature a German family's move into an Iowa county.
Curated OER
Headin' West! The Life of a Pioneer
Students explore the life of a pioneer and the relationship between the concept of Manifest Destiny and pioneering. Students complete activities, maps, writing and reading to experience pioneer life. Handouts and worksheets are included...
Curated OER
Making Use of Fieldwork
Students transcribe, analyze, and archive fieldwork and create a team project drawn from fieldwork. They brainstorm a list of reasons why preservation of collected materials is important and explore the online archives of the American...
Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg: Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain
This ebook shares the memoir of Mark Twain. The memoir provides insights into the author's experiences when he worked as a piliot on a steamboat that traveled along the Mississippi River. The author begin with a history of the...
Other
Us Genealogy Network: Steamboating on the Mississippi
Use this site to learn factual information about the early days of steamboating on the Mississippi River and in St. Louis. You can also read an actual account from a steamboat Captain, view photos and listen to the song "Steamboat Bill."
Other
Steamboating the Rivers
A detailed site providing information on the history of steamboats and many facts on this older form of transportation. Take a virtual tour and learn about some popular steamboats of the time.
University of North Carolina
Mark Twain: Life on the Mississippi
Here, read Mark Twain's (1835-1910 CE) book, "Life on the Mississippi," which was originally published in 1883. Download two HTML versions of the text: one providing links to images in the original text and one with images included.
Other
Us Genealogy Network: Time Portal to Old St. Louis
This site contains many links that provide historical information on St. Louis, including pictures of many historic buildings.