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The Oregon Trail
Middle schoolers discuss migration and reasons people came across the Oregon trail. Students create a time line of important events along the Oregon trail. A Historical Time Line is included for student use. Middle schoolers work in...
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Centennial: Buildings Tell a Story
Students research which buildings are registered as national or state historical sites, and lobby the community by petition to have another local building placed on the national or state historic register.
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Ute Indians: Past and Present
Fourth graders study the history of the Ute Indians. In this Ute Indians lesson, 4th graders complete a KWL chart about Ute Indians and read the online Ute Indian Fact Sheet. Students study examples of Ute culture, where the Ute Indians...
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Westward Expansion
Eighth graders explore the components of the Westward Movement in the United States. Understanding the past and the linkages it has to the present is the intended goal of this seventeen day unit.
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'Water, Water Everywhere...'
Fourth graders explore how the Utah pioneers used irrigation to make the desert 'blossom as a rose'. They use geographical tools to analyze political and physical features of Utah, the United States, China, and Asia.
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Handcarts - A Unique Form of Transportation
Fourth graders research the use of handcarts as a form of transportation for mid-19th century Mormon pioneers. They write mathematical story problems about this unique form of transportation and incorporate their researched data.
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Cycles of Change and Growth in the Mormon Trek: Contra
Fifth graders examine the contributions of Native American Indians, explorers, and Utah's pioneers. They play a "what if" game to illustrate cause and effect.
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Cultural Symbols are Cool
Fifth graders recognize pioneer symbols and create a personal symbol. They, in groups, each get a state symbol and have them discuss why that symbol represents Utah. Have the groups select a spokesperson to share group findings with the...
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Las Vegas Mormon Fort
Students use maps, readings, letters, photos and drawings to identify why Mormons came to the Las Vegas area and what they hoped to accomplish by establishing an outpost. They consider the roles of early women pioneers and outline their...
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Holiday Celebrations
Fourth graders explore three cultural holidays and compare and contrast the ways varied cultural groups celebrate their heritage. They participate in activities that promote cultural understanding and good citizenship.
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Heritage: Seeking Land or Gold
Middle schoolers write a persuasive letter home defending their decision either to settle in Utah and farm the land, or to go on to California to seek gold. They analyze a problem, make a decision, and write a letter defending their choice.
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Heritage: 'And Should We Die...' Attributes of the Pio
Eighth graders use comprehension strategies after reading to reflect on, consolidate, and extend meaning. They show various attributes of the pioneers through character sketches.
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Heritage: Going Into Business
Students plan a transport business to run between Independence, Missouri and Salt Lake City, Utah between 1850-1860. They make and display a poster advertising their freight line. They show a picture of the vehicle, give the name of the...
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Centennial: Home Sweet Home
Fourth graders examine the various types of homes made by Native Americans. In groups, they compare and contrast their homes to those of the Native Americans and discuss how homes reflect one's culture. To end the lesson, they read...
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Centennial: A Day In The Life Of Children - Then And Now
Fourth graders compare and contrast the rules and responsibilities of children from today and in the past. In groups, they compare and contrast their daily lives with a child in history. After taking a field trip, they discuss how...
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Sport Comparison and Contrast
Students read a piece of literature relating to sports and discuss sport, how it affects society, and the reasons people participate. They research sport during the time of pioneers and write a compare and contrast paper dealing with...
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Ancestor Stories
Fourth graders interview their familly members to explore how they settled in Utah. They create their pioneer story with illustrations and present their information to the class.
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Heritage: Going Into Business
Fourth graders plan a transport business to run between Independence, Missouri and Salt Lake City, Utah between 1850-1860. They make and display a poster advertising their freight line. It should show a picture of the vehicle and...
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Singing Around the Campfire
Fifth graders sing a pioneer song, "The Handcart Song," with correct pitch, rhythm and dynamics
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An Orderly Wagon Train Migration
Sixth graders work in small groups to organize a wagon train for a trek westward. They determine leadership responsibilities and rules needed to make a successful trek.
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Right Place, Right Time
In this right place, right time learning exercise, students read train timetables and apply the information to answer math word problems. Students solve eight word problems.
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Retelling the African Folktale Abiyoyo
Act out the African folktale Abiyoyo. Kindergartners listen to the tale and discuss the characters, dressing as their favorite characters in order to retell and perform Abiyoyo using props. They will gain an understanding of story...
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Work and Play: Today and Yesterday
First graders investigate the concept of play and work. They use primary and secondary resources in order to find the information of comparing the concepts in the context of the past to present day. Students brainstorm to find the...
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Holiday Celebrations
Fourth graders explore three cultural holidays and compare and contrast the ways varied cultural groups celebrate their heritage.