Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
The Gold Rush
Students identify the routes involved in the Gold Rush on a map. In this map skills lesson, students use a United States map to locate the routes used to travel to California during the Gold Rush. Students demonstrate how to use the map...
Scholastic
Perfect Postcards: Illinois
Connect the geography and history of Illinois using an art-centered activity on the railroads. The railroad connected once-distant places, particularly in the Midwest. Using research, class members create postcards of fictional...
Curated OER
All Aboard- Central Pacific Railroad
Second graders explore the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad. In this U.S. history lesson, 2nd graders discuss vocabulary and events that occurred in the 1860s pertaining to the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad....
National First Ladies' Library
Who Wants to be a Pioneer?
Students write a story based on their research of the Oregon Trail. Using the Internet and traditional sources, they engage in research about pioneer's experiences on the Oregon Trail during westward expansion. Students write a story...
Curated OER
Applied Science - Built Environment (3) Pre Lab
Third graders discuss types of transportation. In this transportation lesson, 3rd graders discuss common ways people get around and the effect of electric energy on our society. They write a paragraph about different kinds of...
Curated OER
A Trail Across the Plains
Pupils discuss how pioneers reached Utah, and create a mural of the pioneer trek with captions explaining what is happening along the trail.
Curated OER
Through The Looking Glass
Pupils examine the time period of westward expansion. In groups, they use the internet to research the reasons why people moved west during the 1800s. They write their own narratives playing the role of a member of a pioneer family to...
Curated OER
Heritage: What Would You Take?
Fifth graders explore their own definitions of valuable, and decide what they would choose to take with them if they could only take one item. They define the reasons their items are valuable to them.
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
Heritage: What A Sight!
Fifth graders examine the landmarks along the Pioneer Trail. They discover these landmarks were used as guides. They research the Pioneer Trail and present to the class.
Curated OER
the Effects of Differing Cultures on the Mormon Trail
Fourth graders, in groups, simulate some of the hardships the settlers faced on the Mormon Trail, particularly those problems caused by communication difficulties. They discuss budgets and provision planning with group members and keep...
Curated OER
Pushing the Boundaries: The Pioneer Spirit
Eleventh graders recognize how social reform occurred at the turn of the century. Through a debate, 11th graders determine advantages and drawbacks of traveling west using original sources and descriptions of the attitudes, beliefs, and...
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Heritage: Famous People of the West
Fourth graders examine two famous people, Brigham Young and Jim Bridger, who made an impact on the westward expansion, and create cartoon strip using the information.
Curated OER
Heritage: Make a Model of a Typical Utah Settlement
Fourth graders examine the different types of settlements used in Utah. They take a community map of Utah past and present and compare the two. They create a model of the early types of settlements used by pioneers in Utah.
Curated OER
Saving History in Small Pieces
Students examine pictures of cultural mosaics. They sketch a design of the mosaic they are to cretae. They create a cultural mosaic that shows a small part of Utah's history.
Curated OER
The Heritage of a Pioneer Quilt
Students discuss and view how the first quilts were made. They compare modern quilts to ones of the past. They create a quilt pattern by using math and creative thinking.
Curated OER
Let's Paint a Pioneer Song
Students listen to stories about and examine pictures of pioneers, and compose their own pioneer songs to familiar melodies.
Curated OER
Wow! What A Hat!
Students examine and discuss the headwear of the pioneers. They design and create their own pioneer hat using the natural materials that were available to the pioneers. They present and discuss their hat to the class.
Curated OER
Heritage: Packing Your Handcart
Fourth graders pack their imaginary handcart with the necessary items and take into account the bulk and weight of it. They discuss what would happen if one ran out of a certain material.
Curated OER
Not Just Another Pretty Face
Fifth graders, given descriptions of various prominent people in Utah History and the local history, match the description with the right picture. They center on how the life of these 'pretty faces' from history affect their lives.
Curated OER
Influences of Black Oregon Trail Settlers
Students discuss reasons settlers settled in the Oregon Territory. Then, through the examination of primary documents, they compare the influences upon black settlers and how those influences were important to the settlement of the...
Curated OER
Transportation
Students learn all about how people and products get from place to place.