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Native Americans of Our Region
Students describe the life of a Native American tribe native to their area. They form small groups and visit stations in the classroom to read about various Native American tribes. They write journal entries and draw pictures of the...
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The Railroads and Settlement of the Great Plains
Enhance your American literature unit with this resource, in which readers access the Nebraska Studies website and read about "Railroads and Settlement." They search for a photograph of some aspect of the railroad from the Prairie...
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The Iron Horse vs. the Buffalo: Indian-Settler Conflict on the Great Plains
The Iron Horse encroached upon the land while conflicts escalated between Native Americans and the settlers. Sophomores study the print, American Progress then discuss how American progress affected Native Americans. They will study the...
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Picturing America
Teachers look here! You'll find a treasure trove of images, all representing the face of young America. There are 27 different paintings that depict early settlers, the landscape, Native Americans, and famous folk throughout early...
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Our First Families
Students complete a variety of activities in which the Washington Post Newspaper is used to reinforce concepts pertaining to the history of the Washington, D.C. area.
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Where the Buffalo Roam
Second graders explore what life in the Chicago area was like hundreds of years ago. They discuss how settlers impacted the environment, and why there are no longer herds of buffalo in the Chicago area today. They read an article and...
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Taming Wild Land
Third graders consider the habitat needs of living things and how extensive farming in an area can affect the plants and animals of a region. They participate in a simulation to show how changing the habitat in one area can greatly...
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Native Americans
Students participate in a skit. In this Native American history lesson, students read a book about Native Americans and answer comprehension questions. Students then read a story about the Wampanoag people and work in groups to act out a...
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Marquette and Joliet Explore the Mississippi in 1673
Students locate and name the St. Lawrence River, the five Great Lakes, and the Mississippi River on a modern map. They find Quebec, Michilimackinac, Wisconsin, and Chicago on that map. They find the same places on a 1681 map.
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Factors Contributing To the U.S. Dominance of the Pacific Northwest
Young scholars examine the painting Columbia by John Gast. They discuss the concept of Manifest Destiny and the role of different groups (miners, missionaries, fur trappers, farmers, etc.) in the Americanization of the West. In groups,...
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Lives of Native Americans and Settlers
Students assess the effect of contact between the Native Americans and Europeans after 1492. They explore the lives of the early European colonists and the Native Americans living along the East Coast of North America. Lesson contains...
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Transcontinental Railroad
Eleventh graders explain the development of the American West following the Civil War. They also explore the Homestead Act of 1862 and the Pacific Railway Act of 1862. They also participate in a simulation about the American West.
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Louisiana
Third graders study factual information about Louisiana including the state flag, bird, tree, and important geographical points using the Internet and maps. They explain the different groups that settled the state in this mini-unit.
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American Settlement of the Great Plains
Seventh graders examine the Great Plains. In this American settlement instructional activity, 7th graders create a map of the settled areas in the United States. Students discuss the struggle between settlers and the Native Americans.
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Kansas Prairie Homes
Young scholars read about settlers in Kansas and the adaptations they made in order to build different kinds of houses. For this Kansas settlers lesson plan, students participate in choral reading and retell information they learn.
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Day 5 - Science Plants - germination - growth- What plants do we need to survive?
Students look at the crops of the settlers. In this crop lesson, students discuss why each crop was important to the settlers and how they used it. They plant seeds and track and observe the growth.
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Container Gardening: American History Herb Garden
In this settler's garden worksheet, students write which herbs they chose to grow and how the settlers used that herb. Students fill in 3 herbs and 3 ways the settlers used them.
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Who are the Women of the Pacific North West: 1830-1870?
Students view a picture from the Vancouver National Historic Reserve and discuss the people in the picture. They locate Cromwell's Map and discuss the villages located close to Fort Vancouver. Students read information regarding the role...
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Squanto's Science Lesson
Students explore Squanto's contribution to the settlers. They plant seeds and follow instructions for water and fertilization. Students keep a record of the growth of the seeds. They write a paragraph that tells what they learned from...
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Who Were the Settlers?
Students examine why people move from one country or area to another. Using photographs, they analyze the culture and lifestyles of people pictured in the image. They research and explain the daily experiences of the settlers to...
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Westward Expansion
Eighth graders explore the components of the Westward Movement in the United States. Understanding the past and the linkages it has to the present is the intended goal of this seventeen day unit.
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What Should a House Do?
Students describe two different houses in use at the time the first European settlements were founded. Students list ways in which our lives differ from the lives of the Native Americans and Europeans during that period of history.
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Name That Place: Cultural Place Names in the United States
Students examine the origin of the people that settled in the United States. In this United States History instructional activity, students work in small groups to complete several activities that explore early settlement, such as a...
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The Quest for Independence
Learners explore how settlers created and cooked over open fires. In this home economics lesson, students will learn how to make a safe, open fire and will cook a meal over it.