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Westward Expansion: Chief Joseph's Words Of Surrender
Pupils explore westward expansion in the United States as it relates to Native Americans and the novel Holes. Students read a passage from Holes and discuss how westward expansion affected the Native Americans. Pupils compare and...
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Making Treaties and Weaving Wampum
Middle schoolers are exposed to the cultural and artistic importance of wampum belts and the importance of the belts in American history as markers of relations between the Native Americans and European settlers.
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Analyzing a Poster
Eleventh graders work in small groups to analyze a poster provided to them depicting Native Americans. They prepare a response to present to the class. They conduct a group discussion from the poster. The discussion should lead into...
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Wounded Knee Massacre
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. For this Westward Expansion lesson, students examine sources regarding the Battle of Wounded Knee from the perspective of Lakota fighters and...
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US & Iroquois Constitution Parallels
High schoolers engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concepts related to comparing the United States and Iroquois Indians while focusing upon the foundations of the ruling documents like the US Constitution. They conduct research...
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The Trail of Tears; Its Grief and Loss
Fifth graders are introduced to the removal of Native Americans along the Trail of Tears. In groups, they examine the political factors that caused this removal and its effect on society. To end the lesson, they discuss various ways to...
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Waste, Then and Now
Students discuss and compare the waste disposal habits of today with those of Native Americans of long ago.
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Tribal Sovereignty Mock Trial
Students discuss the issue of tribal/native nation sovereignty. They review the Constitution of the U.S. and discuss how it legally provides for sovereign nations. Then they participate in a mock trial of the 1823 Supreme Court Case...
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History Detectives
Fifth graders investigate the significant events in America's history. Students listen to a variety of books based on significant historical events in America. Students divide into 6 groups, each of which is responsible for researching...
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World War II: "The Other" Americans
Eleventh graders examine the roles of women and minorities during Word War II. In this American History lesson, 11th graders watch the video "Saving Private Ryan". Students read a book on the topic and answer comprehension...
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Forced Assimilation
Students identify ways that a society promotes assimilation and examine areas where it still occurs in our present culture. They assess the value of assimilation.
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Understanding Treaties: Students Explore the Lives of Yakama People Before and After Treaties
Students analyze treaties made between the US government and Native American tribes. In this government lesson plan, students evaluate bias emotionally connect with what was gained and lost during the late 1700's. This is a 3 part...
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Simulation: The King's Candy
Students examine the British tax laws in Colonial America. In this U. S. history lesson, students participate in a simulation that replicates the taxes levied by the British.
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Moving to the Frontier
Pupils explore the Frontier House website, examining the challenges of frontier settlement in the American West in the late 1800's. They develop budgets, and create displays based on their own research.
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In Search of California Indians
Fourth graders research information about some of California indigenous tribes to find out as much as possible about the first people found in the west. They research about the history of a selected tribe and their contributions to...
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Changing Opinions
Students compare their preconceptions of Native American movement with their current perceptions. They identify why they have changed. Students conclude with a final reflection addressing how they define the Native American experience in...
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Teaching With Documents Lesson Plan: Sioux Treaty of 1868
Students study the Sioux and their lives in the Black Hills before 1868. They engage in a wide variety of cross-curricular activities which give them a good understanding of the Sioux culture.
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Treaty Trail: Historical Perspectives Point of View
Learners research the point of view of key figures present at the Walla Walla Treaty council. Students analyze primary and secondary sources to determine how various groups of people involved in the treaty council viewed the events as...
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Thanksgiving
Students are introduced to the U.S. holiday of Thanksgiving. The lesson plan can be adapted to all ages and levels of English production ability. They recognize and define words associated with Thanksgiving.
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Forests and Photosynthesis
Fourth graders explore the concept of photosynthesis. They investigate the effects of light on seedlings. Students grow plants and record the data. Students view satellite images that show the monthly amount of vegetation present in the...
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We're Going on a Bison Hunt
Students examine significance of Louisiana Purchase and the journey of Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery, and compose journal entry to demonstrate their knowledge of the use of the American bison as a resource to both the Corps and...
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Buffalo Soldiers
Fourth graders explore the role of the buffalo soldiers in the United States Army during the nineteenth century conflict along the frontier with the Indian tribes. They discuss the social change represented by African Americans serving...
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Comparison of Colonial Regions in British North America
Middle schoolers compare and contrast the colonies in British North America. As a class, they brainstorm a list of people, places and ideas associated with the Colonial Era. They discover the relationships and interactions between the...
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Tribal Termination & Urbanization
Students list the main events in historical sequence of tribal termination and urbanization. They identify a present-day American Indian experience or phenomenon as a result of termination and urbanization and refer to 'Navajo...