Southern Nevada Regional Professional Development Program
Pardon Me, Your Modifier is Dangling
Lost! (or misplaced) a modifier. Last seen dangling at the end of a sentence! Reward offered! To underscore the humor, class members are each given a sample sentence to illustrate (A woman passed by, leading a Springer Spaniel, in a long...
Curated OER
Discovering Descriptions
Delve into the journey of Lewis and Clark using this activity on Missouri. After sharing books on Lewis and Clark's journey across the United States, pupils discuss the descriptive language used in their writing, and come up with their...
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Sorting by Site: Missouri quarter reverse
Lewis and Clark took note of the animals common to their home state. As they traveled, they noticed that different places had different types of animals. Your class will use this model to compare and contrast elements that make up their...
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The Fort Collins Problem
In this algebra worksheet, students solve word problems using algebra to solve real world problems. There is one question that has an answer key.
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Fourth Grade Social Studies
In this social studies worksheet, 4th graders answer multiple choice questions about George Washington, early America, natural resources, and more. Students complete 8 questions.
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A Trip Back in Time
Students investigate the pioneer experience in the 1800s. They view and discuss the images on the Missouri quarter, read a story about pioneer life, complete a worksheet, and create a booklet-form time capsule of pioneer items from the...
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Cyber Hunt Activities: Lewis & Clark
Pupils participate in cyber hunt activities involving Lewis and Clark in order to gain a better idea of what it was like to be an explorer of the vast western lands. For this history lesson, students may choose to study the route that...
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A Peaceless Land: Conflict Continues in the Middle East
Students examine the conflict in the Middle East. They discover the history of the region to better explain why there is conflict in the region. They also analyze the political negotiations that have occured over the years.
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A Helping Hand: The Role of Guides During Western Expansion
Learners research and examine the lives and culture of western mountain guides during the early to mid 1800s. Students write reports about a guide they research, do a simulation of the guide by keeping a journal, managing money and...
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Heritage: What if the Mormons had not come to Utah?
Fourth graders use critical thinking, evaluation, and geography skills to find alternative locations that Brigham Young could have taken the Mormons to settle. They present their findings to Brigham Young and the class with a short...
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The Pony Express
Fourth graders reasearch the history of the Pony Express on the internet or they can use books from the school or public library. They write a one-page story which incorporates their research. They share their stories with the class by...
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Mr. Bush in Washington
Students study about George Washington Bush and write a biography about him in a small group. To gain a better understanding of him, they listen to a biography on a tape about him. They visit various sites about him to help them examine...
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Making Sense of Unusual Findings
Students work on the development of observation skills and seeing how they can be used in different contexts. The lesson is good for helping the beginner and novice, along with encouraging and reminding the expert observer of right...
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Which Side Is Which?
Students study the Louisiana Purchase and the journey of Lewis and Clark. They examine the Peace Medal nickel to differentiate between the heads side and tails side. They participate in a coin flip activity, graph the results and analyze...
Brigham Young University
Library of Congress: Maps: Their Use by Overlanders
Did the settlers know where they were going when they headed west? This site gives an explanation of maps that were used during the westward movement.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Go West: Imagining the Oregon Trail
A 2,000-mile trek across a continent-with no idea what awaits you on the other side. Tell your students to put on their traveling shoes and prepare for the journey of their lives! In this lesson, students compare imagined travel...
University of Richmond
American Panorama: The Overland Trails 1840 1860
Interactive map highlights the emigrations of men and women over the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails in the 1840s and 50s. Also features a timeline of migration, diary entries from individual migrants, and a flow map showing how...
Library of Congress
Loc: Teachers: Journeys West
A series of lessons utilizing primary texts, including narratives, photographs, and maps, through which young scholars explore the following question: "What motivated thousands of people to journey west during the 1800s?"
Library of Congress
Loc: Nation Expansion and Reform: Traveling on the Overland Trails, 1843 1860
Primary source information about traveling the Overland Trails, both to Oregon Country and California.
Curated OER
National Park Service: California National Historic Trail
This site from the National Parks Service gives a brief history, and description of the California trail system which was used by settlers moving to California during the 1849 Gold Rush days.
University of Georgia
University of Georgia: Map of Southern u.s. (1806)
A detailed 1806 map of the southern U.S. States and Territories and Spanish Florida showing borders, rivers, mountains and overland trails.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Pony Express: History and Culture
A good article from the National Park Service which recounts the history of the brief existence of the Pony Express. Read about the route, what caused the demise of the Pony Express, and what part of the trail can still be seen.
PBS
New Perspectives on the West: The Oregon Trail
This site from PBS provides a map of the Oregon Trail, from Independence, Missouri to the Willamette Valley.
Other
Pony Express Home Station: Pony Express Route
Use this site to view maps of routes on the Pony Express and also read a brief history.