Lesson Plan
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Learning with Lewis and Clark

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students visit the Lewis and Clark Era in the Time Machine link, to build interest. They then explore first hand the missions of the Corps of Discovery; mapping the American West, examining the natural landscape, flora and fauna, and...
Lesson Plan
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Manifest Destiny

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the concept of manifest destiny as practiced in the 1840s. They discuss how contemporary maps of the 1840s influenced United States expansion in the 1840s and analyze the relationship between manifest destiny and democracy.
Lesson Plan
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Finding the West

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students question the idea of a geographic space called 'the West.' They first examine a map of the United States and hypothesize what region constitutes the West, then read two passages that critically discuss the notion of a geographic...
Lesson Plan
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VS.7a

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore, analyze and identify the events and differences between northern and southern states that divided Virginians and led to secession, war and the creation on West Virginia. They discuss the conflicts that developed...
Lesson Plan
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The Family Quilt

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine the artwork of Faith Ringgold. They create their own quilt pattern on fabric and piece them together to create a class quilt. They compare their similarities with one another.
Lesson Plan
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Making A New Nation

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders read standard road maps and topographical maps, and examine the lives of pathfinders who opened the trails to the West. They develop Living History presentations, role-playing a character from the past.
Lesson Plan
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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...
Lesson Plan
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Where In the World Am I?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners identify their location in the world after studying latitude, longitude, relative location, and absolute location. They use assigned web site to find information to make a flipbook that answers questions about their location in...
Lesson Plan
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A Differentiated Way through Think Dots

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine reasons that led people to explore, identify "West" as defined following Revolutionary War, explain importance of finding natural resources, develop time line of dates and events leading up to Lewis and Clark Expedition,...
Lesson Plan
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The Lewis and Clark Expedition

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Pupils study westward expansion. In this US history activity, students describe the adventures and hardships faced by the explorers known as Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Pupils write a report to the President about the...
Lesson Plan
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The Grand Canyon

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study the Grand Canyon. They research the Grand Canyon and locate the Colorado River on the map of Arizona. They discuss erosion and read how sedimentary rock was formed. They view photographs of the Grand Canyon and...
Lesson Plan
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Rivers to the West

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the reasons they may have chosen to follow certain rivers. They list the rivers that start from St. Louis and follow the route of Lewis and Clark. Students trace and label the rivers...
Lesson Plan
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The Industrial Revolution

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the time period of the Industrial revolution in American history.  In this American History lesson, 8th graders read the chapter on this time period.  Students create a presentation on this time period to...
Lesson Plan
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America the Beautiful

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders examine the meaning and background of the song, "America the Beautiful." In this "America the Beautiful" lesson plan, 6th graders read the words and history of the song and answer comprehension questions about it.
Worksheet
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Biome Map

For Students 5th - 6th
In this biomes worksheet, students color the map of North America according to the biome clues. Students then answer questions about the North American biomes.
Worksheet
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5th grade social studies geography

For Teachers 5th
In this geography worksheet, 5th graders complete multiple choice questions about hemispheres, maps, cities, ecology, and more. Students complete 25 questions.
Lesson Plan
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Lewis and Clark

For Teachers K - 8th
Learners investigate the historic journey of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery. They identify six discoveries made on the journey, participate in an online activity that traces their trail, write a journal in the first person...
Lesson Plan
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An Age of Exploration

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students investigate U.S. history by examining North American timelines. In this American exploration lesson, students research the events that led to Columbus finding America and participate in a jeopardy game regarding his adventure....
Lesson Plan
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Populism and the People’s Party

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars examine the history of the Populist Party as it relates to its reforms and economic plight. In this Populism and the People's Party lesson, students explore why farmers experienced financial difficulty at the end of the...
Worksheet
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Geography and Topography, History and Architecture

For Students 6th - 10th
In this social studies lesson plan, students answer short answer questions about the geography, topography, history, and architecture of the east part of the United States. Students complete 24 questions.
Lesson Plan
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Negotiating Treaties

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders recognize the interaction between early settlers and indigenous people in the U.S. They recognize the impact of the Indian Removal Act on displaced Natives in the early West and the impact on Native attitudes today.
Lesson Plan
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Manifest Destiny Lesson Plan

For Teachers 8th
Learners examine how Americans justified Westward Expansion. In this American history lesson, your historians will watch a Manifest Destiny Powerpoint presentation and discuss each slide then participate in a class...
Lesson Plan
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Going to the Promised Land (Dust Bowl Migration)

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine Dust Bowl migration. In this Great Depression lesson, students research primary sources regarding migration issues in the United States during the Great Depression. Students discuss their research findings and impressions.
Lesson Plan
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Westward Expansion - Fur Trade

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Learners complete a unit of lessons to learn how products reach the market and study the history of the fur trade. In this history and trade instructional activity, students first learn about the technology that allowed products to reach...