Mrs. Donn's Lesson Plans U.S. History

Free PowerPoint Presentations

USA: American History


Daily Life in Olden Times (Native Americans)

1. Civil War: Letters from the Civil War - Lesson plan with 3 primary document handouts of letters written during the Civil War. (We have the originals.)
   
   

2. 1930's Life on the Farm during the Great Depression - Short stories.  Not everyone felt the effects of the depression in the same manner. People who had little to begin with had always coped. These short stories share the daily life and adventures of one such family, and the success they achieved with a mere seven acres of land in the 1930's. These are stories of the American way - where attitude is everything! 
   
   

3. World War II: The Home Front  (5-7 days) World War II Mini-Unit with 7 handouts
   
   

4. Civil Rights, Segregation   (2-3 days) Lesson Plan with 3 handouts. This was truly a family effort. The lesson plan is Don's, supported by 2 original short stories - Back of the Bus and Welcome Home - written by Lin's author/artist mom, plus Lin's write-up on Rosa Parks. We hope it works as well in your classrooms as it did in ours.
   
   

5. BioBoards: Celebrate Black History Month & Celebrate Woman's History Month. This activity also works for Hispanic Heritage Month or any cultural heritage celebration period.
   
   

6. Visit the 1962 Seattle World's Fair - Lesson Plan, Learning Module.
   
   

7. Smokey the Bear & the Forestry Special  Classroom Play, Smokey Bookmarks, Smokey the Bear Radio Copy from the 1954 Campaign, Lesson Plans & Links
   
   

8. Daily Life in Olden Times (Native American) - Index 
   
   Iroquois Nation
   What was the job of the False Face Society? Who were the Three Sisters? What were the Snow Snake Games? Who was Hiawatha? What was the League of Nations? What was wampum?
   
   Ojibwa/Chippewa
   Why did the Ojibwa hide pebbles in moccasins? What is a Charcoal Sad Face? How do you play Butterfly Hide and Seek? What is a Dream Catcher?
   
   Cherokee Nation
   Why did the Cherokee Indians have a red chief and a white chief? What is a Booger Ceremony? Where is the Darkening Land? What is the Trail of Tears?
   
   Seminole
   What is the job of an animal spirit helper?  Why did the Seminole people hang baby cradles from the rafters of their homes?  What is a comfortable? Why were beads so important?  Welcome to the Florida Everglade Seminole Indians in Olden Times.
   
   Plains People
   Why did the Plains people prefer tipis to houses? Name 72 things the Plains people made from buffalo. Why were horses called dogs? What were pictographs? Why do the elders still speak of Clever Coyote with gratitude?
   
   Sioux Nation
   What could boys do when they reached their 10th birthday? What engagement present did the family of the bride receive? Why weren't kids given names when they were born? What did star quilts represent? What was the Seven Council Fires?
   
   Anasazi/Pueblo/Hopi
   Why did the Pueblo dig a hole in the middle of a secret underground room? Who were the giant Natackas? What are kachinas? How did the Pueblo get their name? Who were the Old Ones? What happened at a naming ceremony? 
   
   Apache
   Why do Apache kids hunt for blue stones?  Who were the Devil Dancers? Learn how to play Apache toe and toss games. Read an Apache myth about Child of Water and Little Blue Rock.
   
   Navajo
   When a young couple ate from the same basket, why did all their relatives lecture them? What is a Ketoh? Why did the Navajo make Sand Paintings and then destroy them before dark? What is a Blessingways? Welcome to the Southwest Navajo Indians in Olden Times.
   
    Northwest Pacific Coastal
   What made the Puget Sound Indian tribes "rich" in ancient times? Why were woven mats so important? How did totem poles get started? What could you buy with 5,000 blankets? What's a potlatch all about? Find out here.
   
   California Indians
   Why was the bear doctor feared? What was the purpose of the Big Head Dance? Why did certain medicine men hunt rattlesnakes? Why did the Chumash need a ladder to get into bed?
   
   Far North
   What trick did the Kutchin people use on their enemies? How did these early people stop ghosts from entering their homes? Welcome to Alaska Natives, the Arctic and the Far North.
   

Social Studies Lesson Plans & Activities
for Kids & Teachers

Ancient History
World History
World Holidays
World & US Geography/Five Themes/Maps
World Religions
Eastern Hemisphere: Countries & Cultures
Western Hemisphere & the Poles: Countries & Cultures

American History
U.S. States, Regions, Territories  
Patriotic Symbols & The White House
U.S. Constitutional Government & Civics (includes Justice and Mock Trials)  
U.S. Holidays
U.S. Multicultural Lesson Plans (includes Teaching Tolerance)
African Americans
Native Americans
Hispanic Americans
Asian Pacific Americans
Arab American Lesson Plans

Children's Literature A-Z Lesson Plans (LangArts & Social Studies)
Free PowerPoint Presentations (Pete's PowerPoint Station)
Safety Lessons and Activities (School Safety, Fire Safety, more)
Sociology/Psychology/Life Skills/Counseling

Free Online Editions - Kids Magazines, Newspapers, Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, more
Civil Liberties & Security  
Politics of Rage - Terrorism

K-2 Themes & Units  
Teacher Tips (9-11, Substitutes, No-Name Papers, Class Management, more)