African Americans in the American West
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A lesson plan designed by PBS and meant to be used in association with its 1996 Ken Burns Documentary The West, this website includes an Overview, Standards addressed, Lesson Plans, and resources for research. By splitting the class into four research groups, the lesson plan provides ample material to be used for a several-day study of African Americans in the West, an often forgotten presence. Designed for grades 6-12. Click on the title for link.
The Mythic American West
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In another lesson plan designed by PBS, this is meant to be used in association with the 1996 documentary The West. Through an examination of both fictional writers of the West as well as primary sources from homesteaders and pioneers, students better understand how the West has been romanticized. This is a great introduction to historical fiction and the role of novels in American consciousness. It would provide a nice bridge lesson between literature classes and history classes. Designed for grades 7-12. Click the title for link.
1862 Homestead Act Teaching Activities
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Courtesy of the National Archives, this collection of teaching Activities deals with the Homestead Act of 1862. Using the first registered homesteader, Daniel Freeman in 1863, as its example, the activities address how the Homestead Act worked as well as the challenges for homesteaders on the frontier. Could be useful as an early activity for analyzing written documents as well as the results of the Homestead Act. Good for any age groups.
Homestead Act Background Information
Daniel Freeman's 1863 Application Documents
National Standards Correlations & Teaching Activities
Written Document Analysis Worksheet
Homestead Act Background Information
Daniel Freeman's 1863 Application Documents
National Standards Correlations & Teaching Activities
Written Document Analysis Worksheet
1868 Sioux Treaty
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Courtesy of the National Archives, this detailed collection of a few teaching activities deals with the Sioux Treat of 1868 that set aside the Black Hills territory as sacred land for the Sioux in 1868. The treaty was subsequently violated by the US government only a few years later once gold was discovered in the Black Hills. There are several activity variants to choose from, from document analysis to role playing to creative writing. All provide an opportunity for a good deal of analysis of both pictures and text. They would be useful in exploring the theme of Native American Tribes and the US Government's relationship in the latter half of the 19th century. It would be ideal for the basis for a debate between the Native American Sioux Tribe and the US government protecting its citizens. Recommended more for high schoolers than the lower grades.
1868 Sioux Treaty Background Information
The Documents
Standards & Teaching Activities
Written Document Analysis Worksheet
Photo Analysis Worksheet
1868 Sioux Treaty Background Information
The Documents
Standards & Teaching Activities
Written Document Analysis Worksheet
Photo Analysis Worksheet
Classroom Activity Ideas
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A helpful 4-page PDF of classroom activity ideas on the topic of Westward expansion. The activities are not specifically geared towards any age range, but could easily be adapted to fit elementary through high school classes. I particularly enjoyed that several of the activities looked at Westward expansion through the lens of Native Americans as well, for a more nuanced understanding of the time.
Taken from the Boston Public Library Online Resources, Source:
Taken from the Boston Public Library Online Resources, Source:
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