Fifth graders name the American Indian people by tribe who lived in the lands which the Oregon Trail traversed. They investigate and describe some impacts of western expansion upon the American Indians.

Discover the connection of native peoples to their natural world, including cultural and agricultural practices, by studying the Zuni people of the American Southwest. This lesson plan includes examining a poster's photographs,...

What tools do archaeologists and anthropologist use to learned about what life was like in the past. After watching West of The West's documentary Once Upon a Time that details how scientists use artifacts to establish a...

Drawn by promises of fertile land, thousands of settlers poured West because of the Homestead Act of 1862. By examining images of the ads that drew them westward, learners consider the motivations for movement. They also consider how the...

Seventh graders examine American policies to relocate Native Americans. In this Native American history lesson, 7th graders determine why Native Americans were relocated and investigate their response to the policies as they analyze...

Students analyze the factors that inhibited and fostered African American attempts to improve their lives during Reconstruction, the role of class, race, gender, and religion in western communities, and the challenges diverse people...

Students analyze captivity narratives written between the 1600's and 1800's. In this narrative lesson, students think critically about the interaction between Native peoples and the settlers to understand the cultural beliefs held by...

Second graders compare and contrast historical American cultures.  In this American history lesson, 2nd graders participate in reading, writing, oral, and hands on activities. Students discuss the similarities and differences...

Eleventh graders examine the impact of the gold rush on different cultures.  In this American History instructional activity, 11th graders examine the reasons for ethnic diversity in the west. 

Students examine how Wilma Mankiller became the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. They listen to a teacher-led lecture, write a letter to President Andrew Jackson, participate in a jigsaw activity, conduct research,...

Students create their own country and explore other unknown lands. Students identify past explorers and complete the included case of the missing trunks webquest. Students research resources and geographical features for their created...

Young scholars identify three reasons why conflict arose in the Western United States during the late 1800s. Using specific examples, discuss how the United States government attempted to resolve these conflicts. Evaluate whether these...

Students explore the unique population of Alaska. In this Native people of Alaska lesson, students discover the three groups of people who live in Alaska. Students describe the similiarities and differences between the three groups....

Students complete five worksheets which correspond to the five problems the American government faced and the five solutions they instituted, accompany this lesson plan. They select and research one of the steps in this plan and write a...

Students view a picture from the Vancouver National Historic Reserve and discuss the people in the picture. They locate Cromwell's Map and discuss the villages located close to Fort Vancouver. Students read information regarding the role...

Fifth graders examine the presidency of Andrew Jackson. Using the Internet, they research his decision to remove the Indians from their land and place them on reservations. They discuss the effects of the Indian Removal Act of 1830.

Fifth graders examine life on American Indian reservations, and discuss how confinement on the reservations affected American Indians. They visit the Bureau of Indian Affairs website, and develop positive and negative impact charts about...

Students explore methods and the struggles of power between the federal policies and Native populations. They discuss the issue of controlling the Native Indian population, driving them from their land, and providing a mandatory...

Students study the importance of nature to Native Americans and discover the growth stages of Northern beans and mustard seeds.

Young historians discover the early people of the western hemisphere. The unit explores how the land changed, how it was used and homes of early Americans such as Incas, Mayans, Inuits, Aztecs, and Pueblos. Individuals also examine these...

What's in a name? Historians consider the question as they examine places important to the Hopi people and the meanings of their place names. Included worksheets include maps and charts to help class members examine the geography of Hopi...

Class members examine primary source documents that expose the contrasting views of land ownership between the Pocumtuck and English settlers.

While humans have always been on the move, the period between 1400 and 1800 saw vast migrations of people between the East and the West. These migrations—whether through slavery or a desire to colonize new lands—shaped the modern world....

Eleventh graders discuss the wars with the Plains Indians and the subsequent cultural difficulties of assimilation. Part of the lesson examines the clash of cultures and beliefs about land ownership. Prior to taking a quiz, 11th...