Students investigate the impact of the passage of the Homestead Act. For this Westward Expansion lesson, students visit selected websites to examine the lives of Americans who settled the American frontier.

In this American deserts worksheet, students study the images and read the passages to learn about the 6 divisions in the American landscape: the Eastern lowlands, the Flood Plain, the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, and the Pacific...

Pupils investigate the impact of Manifest Destiny. In this California history lesson plan, students conduct research on the settlement of the state between 1849 and 1900. Pupils use their findings to create scripts that link primary...

To compare how the Spanish, French, and English approached the exploration of North America, class groups examine primary source documents and become experts on one of four explorers: Francisco Coronado, Robert LaSalle, Samuel de...

Students examine life on westward trails. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students analyze textbook passages about life on the Oregon Trail and the motivations of the people who settled Oregon.

Students examine the settlement of the Louisiana Territory. In this Westward Expansion lesson plan, students watch segments of the Discovery video "East Meets West: Americans on the Move". Students conduct further research...

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...

Students are be able to analyze primary sources (photographs) for evidence of Native American culture and construct a cultural symbol. They are explained what the stars and stripes stand for on the American flag. Students work as...

Learners pretend to be Chinese and European immigrants, and U.S. citizens, as they explore immigration in California in the first half of the 20th Century.

Students investigate the abolition of slavery by examining historical documents.  In this U.S. history instructional activity, students view photographs of East African residents who were forced into slavery.  Students write...

Students discuss water rights. In this science lesson, students simulate an exercise whereby they begin to understand the meaning of water allocation and limited water supplies by actually passing out water from a jug.

Students prepare to travel west. In this Westward Movement lesson, students participate in classroom activities that require them to prepare for a trip west as pioneers.

Students complete a brief presentation documenting the life of an American Indian. In class, students discuss the pros and cons of placing American Indians on a reservation. After their discussion, students choose a issue in Native...

Students examine interactions between Native Americans and settlers. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students participate in a classroom simulation and then write paper about how the Native Americans and settlers could keep the...

Eighth graders examine the relationships forged with Native Americans by Lewis and Clark. In this Westward Expansion lesson plan, 8th graders research digital and print sources to study details regarding the Native American tribes that...

Students explore the different kinds of maps and the purpose of each.  In this Geography lesson, students work in small groups to create a map which includes the use of a map key.

Fourth graders identify reasons for people moving to the Colorado Territory and examine how moving in the 1800's is different than moving today. They also practice reading maps and gathering information from maps, as well as, describe...

Quiz your students or prepare them for the big exam with this presentation. Included are 24 multiple choice questions related to Early American Government, The Colonial Period, Westward Expansion, and State Formation.

Seventh graders examine the social and cultural impact of settler groups in California and the origins of the founding of Los Angeles, California. They read and discuss an informational handout, and discuss what it is and was like to...

In this New Mexico activity, students read a two page text about the history of the state of New Mexico. Students answer ten true and false questions.

Eighth graders travel back in time. For this West Virginia history lesson, 8th graders research the contributions of Swill immigrants to the state and the reasons they emigrated.

Students examine websites and video clips to become familiar with tenets of the Homestead Act, challenges faced by settlers and misconceptions about settlers. They role-play colonists on the Planet XR-38 and make choices similar to...

Fourth graders use critical thinking, evaluation, and geography skills to find alternative locations that Brigham Young could have taken the Mormons to settle.

Fourth graders investigate the role of African American slaves in rice plantations. In this slave life lesson plan, 4th graders discuss the products produced in the 13 colonies. Students discuss the importance of rice to South Carolina's...