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The Big Idea Activity

Why do people form governments?

Hold a Federalist Debate

  California Standard 5.3  Students describe the cooperation and conflict that existed among the American Indians and between the Indian nations and the new settlers.                              California Standard 5.6  Students understand the course and consequences of the American Revolution. California Standard 5.7  Students describe the people and events associated with the development of the U.S. Constitution and analyze the Constitution's significance as the foundation of the American republic.          California Standard 5.8  Students trace the colonization, immigration, and settlement patterns of the American people from 1789 to the mid-1800s, with emphasis on the role of economic incentives, effects of the physical and political geography, [MORE]

Students work on Activity

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Students will need to research the opinions and point of view of either a Federalist or Anti-federalist to prepare for the debate.

The Federalist Party

Alexander Hamilton and the Federalist Party

The Federalist Papers

The Anti-Federalists: Thomas Jefferson

John Adams


Daniel Boone

  California Standard 5.8  Students trace the colonization, immigration, and settlement patterns of the American people from 1789 to the mid-1800s, with emphasis on the role of economic incentives, effects of the physical and political geography, [MORE]

Daniel Boone

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As a pioneer and explorer, Daniel Boone helped to open up the western territories for settlers. Read more about the importance of the Wilderness Road for westward expansion:

The Path of Buffalo

The Great Wagon Road

The Wilderness Road

Timeline of Daniel Boone's life


A Young Pioneer's Life in the 1800s

  California Standard 5.6.6  Demonstrate knowledge of the significance of land policies developed under the Continental Congress (e.g., sale of western lands, the Northwest Ordinance of 1787) and those policies' impact on American Indians' land.

Pioneer

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Many families banded together in their trek out west. Discuss with students how the wagon train gained its name because the line of wagons looked, at a distance, like a train moving across the prairie

A quiz on the parts of the wagon

Pioneer songs and their lyrics

Cowboy folk songs from the Plains

Lesson plans for teaching about pioneer songs

 

Sacagawea

  California Standard 5.8.3  Demonstrate knowledge of the explorations of the trans-Mississippi West following the Louisiana Purchase (e.g., Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, Zebulon Pike, John Fremont).

Sacagawea Coin

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Sacagawea's bravery and quick thinking made her a valuable member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Biography of Sacagawea

Sacagawea and her role in the expedition

Timeline of the Expedition