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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I & M Canal: Technological, Economic

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read about and discuss the reasons European countries were interested in the Ohio Valley. They complete a puzzle to review vocabulary and watch a video on the Illinois Prairie and the I & M Canal. They rewrite the historical...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Raton Pass and Glorieta Battlefield

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Learners complete a variety of activities that go along with the study of and possible fieldtrip to Raton Pass and Glorieta Battlefield on the Sante Fe Trail in New Mexico.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sectionalism

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students examine sectionalism. In this sectionalism lesson, students explore reasons sectionalism developed. Students realize the conflicts that led to the Civil War and how sectionalism affected citizens on the border of Kansas and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Busting the Prairie: Planning a Homestead Community

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students research, design and advertise a homestead community. This is an extensive instructional activity with a variety of ativities and learning experiences.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Orderly Wagon Train Migration

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders work in small groups to organize a wagon train for a trek westward. They determine leadership responsibilities and rules needed to make a successful trek.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Town Development

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students evaluate how the impact of building of towns affected slavery.  In this United States History lesson plan, students work in small groups to construct a map, then they participate in a role-playing activity.
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Lesson Plan
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

How Did Relations between Britain and the Colonies Change after the French and Indian War?

For Students 5th - 12th Standards
What does the French and Indian War have to do with the American Revolution? Following the war, Britain issued the Proclamation of 1763 in an attempt to limit the colonists' western expansion. To understand how the proclamation, the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Should the Ming End the Treasure Voyages?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
During the first century of Chinese Ming dynasty (1368-1644), the government sent out a total of seven voyages into the Indian Ocean. Young historians will discuss, explain, role play, and compare the decisions made by rulers during the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Influence of Geography on the Migration of Virginians

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders study how geography influenced the westward migration of Virginians. They review the settlement patterns of early Virginians before discussing reasons why people move away from an area. Looking at maps, they determine how...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Institution vs. Individuals

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine and evaluate how the U.S. government dealt with the Native American populations during westward expansion. They complete a class KWL chart, take notes during a teacher-led lecture. Students read about the Battle at...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cultural and Social Transformations Since 1865

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research cultural and social issues in the areas of Westward Expansion, Immigration, and Civil Rights. They use their research to create a PowerPoint electronic book to be used by other students.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students view a movie about Lewis and Clark's expedition out west. They examine how Native Americans helped them on their journey. They choose a Native American to research and present their findings to the class.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"ART ZOO 'Blacks in the Westward Movement', 'What Can You Do with a Portrait', and 'Of Beetles, Worms, and Leaves of Grass'"

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students study black history, examine portraits and portrait making and create their own portraits, and  investigate their natural environment. This humanities lesson provides a text that can be used to teach lessons in black history,...
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Lesson Plan
Edgate

Discovering New Resources

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
What is a natural resource, and what resources did the Lewis and Clark expedition seek? After reading an article on the mapping of the west, learners get into small groups to discuss the important natural resources of the period. They...
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Handout
swmcdn

AP US History Test Review

For Students 11th - 12th Standards
Every major concept, key term, and definition that an AP US history student should know for a test prep session and the big exam is right here in this comprehensive, well-organized study guide. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Western Migration Lesson Plan

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students examine the western migration in the United States in the early 19th century and identify the factors that caused the migration as well as how government adapted to meet the needs of an expanding country.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Donner Online

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders participate in a simulation of the Donner Party in order to learn more about this episode in history. For this social studies lesson, 4th graders take on a role which dictates their group job; each role was assigned to...
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Unit Plan
Curated OER

Headin' West! The Life of a Pioneer

For Teachers 5th
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...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

The Louisiana Purchase: Reading and Quiz

For Students 6th - 8th
In need of informational text and a related quiz regarding the Louisiana Purchase? Here are four pages containing basic information on Thomas Jefferson, Napoleon, Manifest Destiny, and the Louisiana Purchase, plus a 15-question quiz. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Las Vegas Mormon Fort

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students use maps, readings, letters, photos and drawings to identify why Mormons came to the Las Vegas area and what they hoped to accomplish by establishing an outpost. They consider the roles of early women pioneers and outline their...
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Lesson Plan
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University of California

The Civil War: Lincoln’s Speeches

For Students 7th Standards
Abraham Lincoln is responsible for uniting the states during the most tumultuous periods in American history, and for his elegant oratory that kept the Union believing in its cause. Young histoians analyze various speeches by America's...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Manifest Destiny

For Students 5th - 6th
In these manifest destiny worksheets, students read the definition for manifest destiny and its appearance in America in the 1840s. Students learn about the Homestead Act and study a painting of a depiction of manifest destiny.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Deadly Equilibrium Lesson Plan

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students read a narrative "The Domestic Slave Trade" and answer questions about states' slave trading. They read another narrative "Runaway Journey" and answer questions about runaway slaves. They discuss the impact of the slave trade on...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Riding a Stagecoach in the 19th Century

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students research the differences between traveling on a stagecoach and wagon trail in the 19th century. In this historical lesson, students discover the uses of stagecoaches and wagon trails in the 19th century, then decide which one...