Lesson Plan
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European Explorers

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students research one of seventeen explorers before filling in a worksheet. Next, they write a song verse using the information and sing it to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." On the next day, they play a game of "Who Am I?" using...
Lesson Plan
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media

Early English Settlements History Detectives

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Young historians play the role of history detectives as they investigate some primary source texts and images related to the early colonization of America, The Jamestown Settlement, and the Mayflower Compact. 
Lesson Plan
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Pre-Colonial Native American Groups

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate U.S. history by researching the Internet and taking a test. In this American Indian group lesson, students identify the many specific Native American tribes and their geographic locations. Students research the web...
Lesson Plan
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Like Comparing Bison and Fish

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study the development of North American Indian cultures by looking at how geography impacted their development. They write a five paragraph essay comparing the Plains Indians and the Clatsop Indians.
Lesson Plan
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Places Of Power

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the Native American religious concept of Sacred Landscapes. The use of natural resources and religious rites is researched using a variety of sources. They discuss the importance of geographical places in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Like Comparing Bison and Fish

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the cultures of early American Indians in North America and how geographic characteristics impacted the development of American Indian cultures. Students discuss Lewis and Clark, their journey, the Plains Indians,...
Lesson Plan
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Lewis and Clark Expedition

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders examine the goals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and identify the present day cities, towns, rivers, and regions that are on the route of the expedition. They complete an online WebQuest, recreating the route of the...
Lesson Plan
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American Indians' Loss of Gold

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine and discuss how the American Indians suffered the loss of their homelands, homes, and their way of life. They watch videos, read books and develop research projects on the struggles of the American Indians.
Lesson Plan
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The Great Exchange

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders examine the connection that the present has to the past and how different cultures impact each other with lasting results. They discuss European exploration in North America and West Africa by describing cultural...
Lesson Plan
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Pre-Columbian Settlements and People

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders describe the social, political, cultural and economic life and interactions among the people of California from the pre-Columbian societies to the Spanish mission and Mexican rancho periods.
Lesson Plan
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Manifest Destiny and the Power of Perspective

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Pupils examine the concept of Manifest Destiny and the United States. They analyze the Mexican War from the perspective of the Mexicans and the Indians. They write an essay about these different perspectives.
Lesson Plan
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The Seven Continents Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 1st - 4th Standards
Who doesn't enjoy an engaging scavenger hunt? Here, scholars listen to, and discuss, the informative text, Where is my Continent? by Robin Nelson. They then explore the seven continents and four major oceans using...
Lesson Plan
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Sioux Treaty of 1868

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore and research the history of Native Americans in North America.
Lesson Plan
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English-Indian Encounters in Early 17th Century Virginia

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners participate in a three part lesson in which they examine the initial encounters between the English and the Indians, the different ways in which the colonist and Indians interacted and why English settlers and Native Americans...
Lesson Plan
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The Boston Tea Party

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students analyze the impact of Tea Act in the colonies. In this colonial America lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the Tea Act, Samuel Adams's execution of the Boston Tea Party, and British reaction...
Lesson Plan
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A Shot in the Backwoods of Pennsylvania Sets the World Afire

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the French and Indian War and examine the events that led to the conflict.  In this political lesson students compare the important significance of this event and how the relationships were impacted.
Lesson Plan
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Hernando De Soto's Trip Through South Carolina

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders become familiar with the explorations of Hernando DeSoto. In this DeSoto lesson, 4th graders recognize the routes and territories of DeSoto's explorations. Students use primary and secondary sources and research to answer...
Lesson Plan
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Powerful Potato

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders make food. In this agriculture lesson, 3rd graders learn about the history of the potato. Students then plant potatoes, harvest them, and make french fries, potato salad or potato soup.
Lesson Plan
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Jazz in America

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students explore jazz and its origins by focusing on the people in which Jazz came from.
Lesson Plan
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The Vision Quest

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore lives of Chief Plenty Coups and Crow Indians, focusing specifically on tradition of Vision Quests. Students identify reasons for Vision Quests, and create presentation to share information found with classmates.
Lesson Plan
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Lesson 6: Examining Events from Different Perspectives Friend or Foe?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders sequence events of European exploration and colonization by creating timelines. They define the differences between primary and secondary sources. They discuss claims to Texas land in the 17th Century.
Lesson Plan
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Native Americans

For Teachers 1st
First graders explore the lifestyles of several North American tribes. They investigate about the homes, food, transportation, and daily living habits of each tribe. Pupils use a map to locate several Native American tribes in North...
Lesson Plan
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Queen Anne's War and Its Impact on Deerfield

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers researchhow Queen Ann's War of Europe affect Native Americans in New England. After reading excerpts from History of Deerfiel by George Sheldon and Nuthatch's Dilemma, a story about a Pocumtuck woman, students are prepared...
Lesson Plan
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State of Affairs Between the Native Americans and the European Settlers

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students examine relationship and contact between Native Americans and European Settlers, using primary sources.