Should the United States Celebrate Columbus Day?  A WebQuest

By Steve McCarthy

5.3  Explain why trade routes to Asia had been closed in the 15th century and trace the voyages of at least four of the explorers listed below.  Describe what each explorer sought when he began his journey, what he found, and how his discoveries changed the image of the world, especially the maps used by explorers.
E.  Christopher Columbus

The Harvest Celebration of 1621:  A WebQuest

Handout DOC

By Nicole Jackson

3.2  Identify the Wampanoags and their leaders at the time the Pilgrims arrived, and describe their way of life.

3.3  Identify who the Pilgrims were and explain why they left Europe to seek religious freedom; describe their journey and their early years in the Plymouth Colony.

C.  events leading to the first Thanksgiving

The Lost Colony of Roanoke, Can You Unlock this Mystery of History

By John Laracy

4.15  Describe the diverse nature of the American people by identifying the distinctive contributions to American culture of:
C.  major European immigrant groups who have come to America, locating their countries of origin and where they tended to settle in large numbers (e.g. English)

5.6 Explain the early relationship of the English settlers to the indigenous peoples, or Indians, in North America, including the differing views on ownership or use of land and the conflicts between them

Colonial and Native American Children - A Critical Comparison

3.2  Identify the Wampanoags and their leaders at the time the Pilgrims arrived, and describe their way of life.

Captives in the Colonies

5.5 Describe the goals and extent of the Dutch settlement in New York, French settlements in Canada, and the Spanish settlements in Florida, the Southwest, and California.

5.6 Explain the early relationship of the English settlers to the indigenous peoples, or Indians, of North America including the different views on ownership or use of land and the conflicts between them.

Town of North Reading Scavenger Hunt

3.8 On a map of Massachusetts, locate the class’s home town or city and its local geographic features and landmarks. 3.9 Identify historic buildings, monuments, or sites in the area and explain their purpose and significance.

3.11 Identify when the students’ own town or city was founded, and describe the different groups of people who have settled in the community since its founding.

English Colonists’ Use of Natural Resources

Grade 4, Economics, 6. Define and give examples of natural resources in the United States.  7. Give examples of limited and unlimited resources and explain how scarcity compels people and communities to make choices about goods and services, giving up some things to get other things.  5.6 Explain the early relationship of the English settlers to the indigenous peoples, or Indians, in North America, including the differing views on ownership or use of land and the conflicts between them.

What is an American?  Using Letters From an American Farmer to Examine American National Identify

USI.28 Explain the emergence and impact of the textile industry in New England and industrial growth generally throughout antebellum America.
B. the causes and impact of the wave of immigration from Northern Europe to America in the 1840s and 1850s

USII. 2 Explain the important consequences of the Industrial Revolution
A. the growth of big business
C. the expansion of cities

USII.3 Describe the causes of the immigration of Southern and Eastern Europeans, Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese to America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and describe the major roles of these immigrants in the industrialization of America.

Paul Revere’s Ride:  Fact or Fiction?

By Lisa Treacy

3.5 e. Explain important political, economic, and military developments leading to and during the American Revolution. Revolutionary leaders such as . . . Paul Revere

Massachusetts – From Puritans to Patriots: A Study of Key Events for Grade 3

3.1 On a map of … Massachusetts, locate major cities and towns …

3.4 Explain how the Puritans and Pilgrims differed and identify early leaders in Massachusetts, such as John Winthrop; describe the daily life, education and work of the Puritans in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

3.5 Explain important political, economic and military developments leading to and during the American Revolution.

A. the growth of towns and cities in Massachusetts before the Revolution
B. the Boston Tea Party
C. the beginning of the Revolution at Lexington and Concord
D. the Battle of Bunker Hill
E. Revolutionary leaders such as … Paul Revere

Fact or Fiction: The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere

3.5 Explain important political, economic, and military developments during the American Revolution.
E. Revolutionary leaders such as John Adams, Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere

Life in Colonial Boston, 1700-1750

Grade 3, History & Geography 2. Observe visual sources such as historic paintings, photographs or illustrations that accompany historical narratives, and describe details such as clothing, setting, or action.

3.1 On a map of Massachusetts, locate major cities and towns.

3.9 Identify historic buildings, monuments, or sites in the area and explain their purpose and significance.

Benjamin Franklin in Boston and Philadelphia

3.7 After reading a biography of a person from Massachusetts, summarize the person’s life and achievements.
E. Political leadership (e.g. Benjamin Franklin)

Benjamin Franklin

5.18 Describe the life and achievements of important leaders during the Revolution and the early years of the United States.

“It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over” Was the Final Battle at Yorktown the End of the Revolutionary War?

5.17 Describe the major battles of the Revolution and explain the reasons for American victory and British defeat.
E. Yorktown

5.18 Describe the life and achievements of important leaders during the early years of the United States.
G. George Washington

The Boston Tea Party Gazette:  A WebQuest

By Tricia Harbour

5.15 Explain the reasons for the French and Indian War, how it led to an overhaul of British imperial policy, and the colonial response to these policies.

D.  Tea Act (1773)

F.  the roles of the Stamp Act Congress, the Sons of Liberty, and the Boston Tea Party (1773)

The American Revolution Boston, Massachusetts: The Man, The Myth, and the Milestone

US1.4 Analyze how Americans resisted British policies before 1775 and analyze the reasons for the American victory and the British defeat in the Revolutionary war.

US1.5 Explain the role of Massachusetts in the Revolution, including important events that took place in Massachusetts and important leaders from Massachusetts.

The American Declaration of Independence . . . Its Inspiration and Legacy

US1.2 Explain the historical and intellectual influences on the American Revolution and the formation and framework of the American government.
A. the legacy of ancient Greece and Rome
B. the political theories of such European philosophers as Locke and Montesquieu

USI.3 Explain the influence and ideas of the Declaration of Independence and the political philosophy of Thomas Jefferson

The Writings of Benjamin Franklin and How They Apply to Literature and Life

USI.7 Explain the roles of various founders at the Constitutional Convention. 
A. Benjamin Franklin

The Power of Poetry: Studying Paul Revere’s Ride

USI.5 Explain the role of Massachusetts in the Revolution, including events that took place in Massachusetts and important leaders from Massachusetts.

English Language Arts Curriculum Framework Learning Standards:  Language Stand, Standard 2. Questioning, Listening, and Contributing, Standard 4. Vocabulary Concept Development; Reading and Literature Strand:
Standard 8: Understanding a Text,
Standard 14. Poetry,
Standard 15. Style and Language; Composition Strand:
Standard 20. Consideration of Audience and Purpose,
Standard 24. Research

Preparation for a Journey Westward

U.S. Expansionism and Nationalism

By Scott Ouellet, David Casey, & Michael DeVincenzi

.USI.26 Describe the causes, course, and consequences of America’s westward expansion and its growing diplomatic assertiveness.  Use a map of North America to trace America’s expansion to the Civil War, including the location of the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails.

Andrew Jackson and Indian Removal:  A WebQuest

By Kerry Gallagher

USI.24  Describe the election of 1828, the importance of Jacksonian democracy, and Jackson’s actions as President.

C.  Jackson’s policy of Indian Removal

USI.26  Describe the causes, course, and consequences of America’s westward expansion and its growing diplomatic assertiveness. 

D.  the Cherokees’ Trail of Tears

Witness the War of 1812:  A WebQuest

By Kerry Gallagher

USI.26  Describe the causes, course, and consequences of America’s westward expansion and its growing diplomatic assertiveness. 

A.  the War of 1812

A Day in the Life of a Pioneer:  A WebQuest

By Brenda Miles and Meaghan Johnson

5.35  Explain the reasons that pioneers moved west from the beginning to the middle of the 19th century, and describe their lives on the frontier.

A.  wagon train journeys on the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails

B.  their settlements on the western territories

nba

Lesson Plan Title

Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks
Learning Standard(s) Addressed

Coming to America - An Immigration Scrapbook (Word)
(Lesson - pdf)

By Patty DeVries

4.15 Describe the diverse nature of the American people by identifying the distinctive contributions to American culture of:

C. major European immigrant groups who have come to America, locating their countries of origin and where they tended to settle in large numbers

D. major Spanish-speaking and Asian immigrant groups who have come to America in the 19th and 20th centuries, locating their countries of origin and where they tended to settle in large numbers

World War I Propaganda Posters

USII. 6  Analyze the causes and course of America’s growing role in world affairs from the Civil War to World War I

Japanese-American Internment Research

English Language Arts Learning Standards 19) Students will write with a clear focus, coherent organization, and sufficient detail 20) Students will write for different audiences and purposes 24) Students will gather information from a variety of sources, analyze and evaluate the quality of the information they obtain, and use it to answer their own questions

USII.17 Explain important domestic events that took place during World War II.

 D. The interment of West Coast Japanese-Americans in the U.S. and Canada.

Leaders of the Civil Rights Movement

Modern Day Slavery

Senate Committee Report on an Environmental Issue

USII.28 Analyze the important domestic policies and events that took place during the presidencies of Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon.
F. the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970.

USII.29 Analyze the presidency of Ronal Reagan.

USII.31 Analyze the important domestic policies and events of the Clinton presidency.