Other
University of Western Ontario: Early Writing in Canada: Catharine Parr Traill
Excerpts of letters written by Catharine Parr Traill, which she collected and published, along with her journals, in The Backwoods of Canada (1836). In these excerpts, she writes about her arrival in Newfoundland and a journey to Quebec.
US National Archives
Laura Ingalls Wilder Teaching Unit: Pioneer Life With Laura
A great lesson using the books of Laura Ingalls Wilder to teach about pioneer life on the plains. Filled with before reading and during reading activities and questions.
Rutgers University
Blueprint for Change: The Life and Times of Lewis H. Latimer
An extensive look at the inventor, Lewis Latimer, from the Thomas Edison Papers at Rutgers University. Read essays about his life and inventions, the culture in Boston which encouraged his work, and his life outside his inventions. A...
Duke University
California Gold: The Diary and Letters of James M. Burr
Wonderful primary resource on the California Gold Rush. Read actual letters and a diary--with explanatory annotations--by a prospector from 1850-1853.
PBS
Pbs: Death of the Dream
This PBS site offers a taste of rural life in the Midwest. You can tour a virtual farmhouse,read poetry of the time, and see examples of prairie architecture.
American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: Linda Buck, ph.d.
Read about the life and accomplishments of Linda B. Buck, winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine for her pioneering discovery of the genetic pathways that enable us to recognize and remember smells. Includes a profile, videos, and a photo...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Westward Expansion and Reform
Part of a longer time line describing the history of the American West, this section covers the period 1829 to 1859 with hyperlinks to stories and people of this time period.
EL Education
El Education: Bessy
8th grade students at the Pioneer Charter School in Fort Collins, Colorado, each created a historical character file (HCF) as part of a Learning Expedition on slavery. Each HCF is a fictionalized account of a historically/geographically...
Orca Book Publishers
Orca Book Publishers: Max and Ellie Books Teaching Guide [Pdf]
The Ellie and Max books by Becky Citra take place in pioneer times and follow the experiences of a brother and sister in Upper Canada. This teacher's guide includes a book summary, teaching ideas and the author's reflections on writing...
Other
Connie Brummel Crook: 'The Perilous Year' Teaching Guide [Pdf]
"The Perilous Year", an historical novel by Connie Brummel Crook, begins in 1793 and is set in what is now Ontario. It follows the life of two brothers into adulthood. This teacher's guide has a book summary, chapter discussion guides...
Orca Book Publishers
Orca Book Publishers: Strawberry Moon Teaching Guide [Pdf]
Strawberry Moon, a novel by Becky Citra, continues to follow the life of Ellie, a young girl living in Upper Canada in the 1830s. In this story, her strict grandmother has come to take her back to England and Ellie doesn't want to go....
American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: Denton A. Cooley, m.d.
This article, on the life and achievements of Dr. Denton A. Cooley, focuses on his contributions to cardiovascular surgery. Read about how "Cooley's fame spread throughout the 1960s," through his work on infants with congenital heart...
Oklahoma Historical Society
Oklahoma State: Nathaniel Pryor
Learn about the life of Nathaniel Pryor, and American explore who participated in the Lewis and Clark expedition and served as a captain in the war of 1812.
Texas State Historical Association
Texas State Historical Association: Mary Ann Adams Maverick
A biography of Mary Maverick, who lived along the Texas frontier after the Texas Revolution. Her diaries of her life as a frontier woman provide firsthand accounts of historic events from that time.
Other
Picturing Golda Mier
A collection of images documenting the life of Golda Meir from childhood in Pinsk, Russia, through her school years in Milwaukee, her pioneer years in Palestine in the 1920s, to the peak of her political career as Prime Minister of...
Other
American Foundation for the Blind: Anne Sullivan Macy
A biographical overview of the life of Anne Sullivan Macy, devoted teacher of Heller Keller and a pioneer in the education of the visually impaired which earned her the nickname "miracle worker". Learn about her through her own letters,...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Read About Pioneers
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart contains a lot of information to read and learn about the ways of the Pioneers. It also gives opportunity to learn new vocabulary.
Blackdog Media
Classic Reader: "Two Pioneers" by Elia W. Peattie
Elia W. Peattie wrote about life in the West. "Two Pioneers" recounts the tale of a priest who makes friends with a "lady of the night". Read the full text on this site.
Other
Kansas Collection Books: Emigrant Life in Kansas
This site is a textual copy of a book written by an Englishman, Percy G. Ebbutt entitled Emigrant Life in Kansas, published in 1886. The book focuses on a young man's experiences on the prairie in Kansas. Written for an English audience.
Other
The History of the Chinese in Canada
This site gives an overview of the history of Chinese immigration to Canada accompanied by historical photographs. One section is devoted to the life of Jean Lumb who became a leader in the Chinese community. Another section describes...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Illinois Pioneers and Prairies [Pdf]
"Illinois Pioneers and Prairies" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about life in the prairies of Illinois for the early settlers including their hard work, setting up governments, building schools, and making laws. It is...
Other
Bc Heritage Websites Prog: A Visit to a B. C. General Store: Product Packaging
Learn about the history of product packaging which began in the sixteenth century. Test you knowledge on product packaging and reuse in the 1800s.
Have Fun With History
Have Fun With History: Pioneers and the Frontier
Learning module with a variety of video and other resources on the expansion westward as pioneers settled new frontier in the 1800s.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Frontier Life: Frontier Education and the One Room Schoolhouse
See how much public education has changed from the one-room schoolhouse days of the frontier. From a companion essay to the PBS series, Frontier House.