Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Nez Perce War

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
A lesson which combines the skills of notetaking with a history of the Nez Perce War against the United States Cavalry is here for you. Learners take notes while their instructor lectures them on the information. A quiz is given as...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Important Place

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
The story of Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce Indians of Oregon is told here. Pupils are shown pictures of the ancestral lands of the Nez Perce, and they learn about how they were forced to leave it. Students complete an essay which...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

US Emergence of Power in the Pacific Northwest: General Howard and the Nez Perce Tribe War

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss the role of the military in acquiring territory in the Pacific Northwest. Using a map, they locate the areas in which the Nez Perce were prominent and the routes used by the military to chase them. They discuss whether...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Appaloosa - Horse of the Nez Perce

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the use of Appaloosa horses by the Nez Perce Native Americans during the War of 1877. They examine the geography of the area and determine why the Appaloosa horse was suited to this use after looking at...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Encounter of Former Foes

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students examine a timeline on the internet showing the relationship between the American Government and the Nez Perce in the 19th Century. After looking at the timeline and included map, students answer questions.
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Speeches on the Not-So-Big Screen

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine American speeches. In this interdisciplinary lesson, students explore the emotional context of historical periods as they analyze "The Gettysburg Address" and "I Will Fight No More Forever" speeches.
Worksheet
Curated OER

The West: US History

For Students 8th - 12th
In this U.S. history instructional activity, students read assigned textbook pages that tell the story of Westward Expansion and respond to 35 short answer questions.  
Primary
Other

Bhnb: Political Elements of Nez Perce History During Mid 1800s and War of 1877

For Students 9th - 10th
In this essay on the Nez Perce conflicts you will read about how the tribe attempted to live within the treaties signed, but because of outside influences, could not.
Handout
Curated OER

Bureau of Land Management: Nez Perce National Historic Trail

For Students 9th - 10th
Chief Joseph's flight, along with the Nez Perce, from the U.S. cavalry is recounted here.
Primary
PBS

Pbs: Archives of the West: Selections From "With the Nez Perces"

For Students 9th - 10th
Contains selections from "With the Nez Perces: Alice Fletcher in the Field, 1889-92" by E. Jane Gay, which provided an anthropological look at the Nez Perce Indians and their bewilderment at the Dawes Act.
Primary
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: Winning the West: The Army in the Indian Wars

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a chapter excerpt from a book on military history which details the role of the United States Army in the Indian Wars for the years 1865 to 1890.
Primary
PBS

Pbs the West: The Pursuit and Capture of Chief Joseph

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides detailed information on the Nez Perce campaign and the capture of Chief Joseph in an eyewitness account by Charles Erskine Scott Wood, aide to General Howard.
Handout
Curated OER

National Park Service: Big Hole National Battlefield:

For Students 9th - 10th
A description of the Battle of Big Hole in which the Nez Perce and whites alike suffered many casualties. From the National Park Service.
Primary
Other

Powerful People: Chief Joseph, Nez Perce (1840 1904)

For Students 9th - 10th
Many strong and insightful quotes from Chief Joseph as well as a brief biography and picture.
Handout
Other

Lumen Learning: Encroachment and Resistance

For Students 9th - 10th
In the latter part of the 1800s, settlers began to ignore treaties when expanding westward. The government followed suit by declaring they would no longer negotiate new treaties, that they had the power to enforce laws on reservation...
Handout
PBS

Pbs the West: Looking Glass: Allalimya Takanin (1832 1877)

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of Nez Perce Chief Looking Glass who led his band to the Big Hole Basin where they were unexpectedly attacked by U.S. army troops.
Primary
Curated OER

National Park Service: A Sharp Little Affair [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Although somewhat difficult to read, this PDF file from the National Park Service describes the Battle of Big Hole and the history and archeology surrounding this battle site. A most extensive study.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Camping With the Sioux: Fieldwork Diary of Alice Fletcher

For Students 9th - 10th
A fascinating site that presents the story of Alice Fletcher who traveled to Dakota Territory to live with Sioux women. Click on dates on the calendar for diary entries. Also includes historic photo gallery.
Handout
Other

Ochc: Oliver Otis Howard

For Students 9th - 10th
An extensive biography of the interesting life of Oliver Otic Howard, a man who held progressive beliefs, but followed his military orders. Scroll down to find out about his interactions with Chief Joseph.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The End of Resistance

For Students 5th - 8th
Find a brief recounting of resistance by several Indian tribes in an attempt to maintain their territory. See how the settlers participating in the Oklahoma land rush stole land set aside for several Indian tribes.
Handout
Country Studies US

Country Studies: The Plight of the Indians

For Students 9th - 10th
This site explains how as westward expansion grew, more and more Indians encountered settlers, ranchers and miners who sought life, land, and riches out West. Conflicts between settlers and Indians soon involved the federal government...