Nebraska Studies
Nebraska Studies: Building a Sod House
Here's great information on building sod houses. You can even watch a video of a famous two-story sod house that stood until 1967.
Canadian Museum of History
Cmc: Virtual Museum of New France: The Explorers: Pierre Gauthier De Varennes
The life and explorations of the La Verendryes are profiled in this biography. Forts, search for the sea, furs, Rocky Mountains, and so many more adventures are shared.
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.
White Pine Pictures
White Pine Pictures: The Magnificent Abersons
Bob and Jane Aberson were Dutch immigrant farmers to the Manitoba prairies. Jane Aberson wrote a column in a Dutch newspaper for 30 years, describing the hardships and joys of farming life on the prairies. Her columns influenced many...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Laura Ingalls Wilder
Site provides some historical information on early prairie life through the eyes of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Book Files: Sarah, Plain and Tall
Patricia MacLachlan's "Sarah, Plain and Tall" takes place on a prairie during the late 1800s. Sarah arrives to live with a family and brings them new life. Make a smart choice by reading your favorite novel with a BookFiles reading...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Letter to Grandmother [Pdf]
"Letter to Grandmother" is a one page, fictional, reading passage about a family of early settlers who moved west. A boy writes a letter to his grandmother telling her about their new life on the plains. It is followed by...
US National Archives
Pioneering Journals of the Ingalls Family: Pepin, Wisconsin: Household Chores
Based on journals for Laura Ingalls Wilder's family, these descriptions of housework in a pioneer home are typical of the life of most pioneers on the prairie or in the northern woods. These chores would have been "women's work."
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Laura Ingalls Wilder
Learn more about Laura Ingalls Wilder when you visit this site. Check out this comprehensive resource featuring links to her books and life.
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Settlement [Pdf]
"Settlement" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about natural gas, its uses, and how it gets to homes. It is followed by questions which require students to provide evidence from the story; it includes: determining main idea and...
Curated OER
Graphical Element: Henry Kelsey on the Prairies
This site has information about Henry Kelsey's life and expeditions. It is designed for ages 9-12. It is a companion site to one designed for the general public.
My Hero Project
My Hero: Laura Ingalls Wilder
Use this resource to learn about why Laura Ingalls Wilder is a writer hero and learn about her life as pioneer girl in the late 1800s.
PBS
Nh Pbs: Nature Works: Wetlands
Did you know that wetlands are frequently used as resting stops for migrating birds? This is just one of the many interesting facts found within this educational resource. This site features information on the characteristics, types,...
Virtual Museum of Canada
Virtual Museum of Canada: Community Stories: Powering Up Rural Manitoba
The spread of hydroelectric power across the Manitoba prairies and its impact on rural communities is profiled. Archival photographs, the introduction of new electrical appliances, and the major changes to rural life are included.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Things to Do at Home
Families can come together through games designed to make history something fun and integral to family life. Build a sod house like prairie settlers did in the 1800s. Go back in time to visit five families that lived in the same house...
Curated OER
Unesco: Spain: Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture
Ibiza provides an excellent example of the interaction between the marine and coastal ecosystems. The dense prairies of oceanic Posidonia (seagrass), an important endemic species found only in the Mediterranean basin, contain and support...