Unit 1: Missouri’s Land and People
Big Idea Activity: How do people adapt to where they live?
Students may choose to include one of Missouri’s museums or historical sites on a poster as part of their advertisement. Encourage students to research several options and choose the one that they think will draw the most visitors. Have them explain the reason for their selection.
Explore Missouri’s sites and attractions.
Visit this site for more information about what Missouri has to offer.
Discuss each of the People Who Made a Difference with students. Ask them to explain how Missouri was affected by each of these people. How would the state be different if these people had never been in Missouri?
These websites emphasize the impact these figures have had on American history and their influence in Missouri. Students will learn more about the People Who Made a Difference through discussion and activities.
Joseph Whitehouse (~1775-1850)
Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867-1957)
Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975)
Ask students if they think people in Missouri have had to adapt to their environment. What have people changed in order to live in Missouri? How do people change their behavior because of the environment? How did the People Who Made a Difference adapt to their environment? Discuss how each of these people were influenced by living in Missouri.
Writing Activity: Writing Activity
Students will write a 2 paragraph essay answering the Big Idea Question – How do people adapt to where they live?
1. The graphic organizer will be used to list the main ideas that will be in the essay. Complete the graphic organizer as a class or have the students complete it themselves.
2. The writing activity will focus on how regions, natural resources and climate affect how people live. Students should think about how these features affect communities in general as well as their own community specifically.
3. Once the graphic organizer has been completed by the students individually or as a group, assign the type of essay that they will write: Descriptive, Narrative or Persuasive.
Missouri’s landscape has significantly changed since the first Native Americans settled. During your discussion of Missouri’s regions, ask students to think about what Missouri looked like hundreds of years ago. How have settlers changed it? Discuss the measures being taken to ensure that Missouri’s resources are conserved for future generations.
Virtual Field Trip: St. Louis
St. Louis is one of Missouri’s most famous cities. It has historical significance as well as modern appeal for visitors. Briefly discuss the history of St. Louis and how it became the Gateway to the West in the 19th century. Ask how much Lewis and Clark knew about the West when they set out on their journey. What might have happened if the two explorers had not made their journey?
Biography: Jackie Joyner-Kersee
In 1984 Jackie Joyner-Kersee competed in the Olympic Games for the first time. Since then, she has set world records in the sport of track and field and has taken a leadership role in several organizations. Discuss the impact Kersee has had on education, women’s rights and civil rights.