Indian Removal Act and Trail of Tears Lesson Plan

This engaging lesson plan on the Indian Removal Act is an awesome way to get students thinking critically, analyzing primary sources, and working together!

The complete lesson features directions for the teacher to set up multiple activities in one class period. There's a warm up question, introduction, link to a short video, and discussion points before leading into the primary source analysis activity.

There are 10 short excerpts from various speeches or documents related to the Indian Removal Act. These include words of:

• President Andrew Jackson
• Cherokee Chief John Ross
• Alexis de Tocqueville
• Soldiers who participated in the forced Indian Removal
• Native American voices
• ... and more! 

Each helps students gain a clearer image of the divergent views regarding the removal of the Cherokee and other Native American groups from the southeast.

Students record their own analysis of each on a chart then move on to a longer primary source speech to analyze. A worksheet is included for this speech to help students focus on the key points.

Answer keys for each are included for your convenience along with ideas for extension activities.

You can download this great lesson for your students here. Or, you can also get this resources along with 50 more on Early America as part of my Complete Early American History Unit Plan.

Thank you for stopping by!

Secession of the South Lesson Plan and Activities

This fantastic lesson plan allows your students to analyze different primary sources related to Southern states seceding from the Union prior to the Civil War.

The activity is very easily adaptable for different grade levels and students. It can be done individually or in small  groups with students working together to analyze the printed copies. You can also do the activity digitally through included Google Docs version!

The complete lesson plan includes all of the following :

• A 2-page worksheet students use to analyze the primary sources
•  An excerpt from a speech by the Confederate Vice President 
• Mississippi's Declaration of Secession
• 2 primary source political cartoons
• Extension activity for class debate on secession
• A digital (and editable) Google Docs version of the resource
• Teacher directions page with included key

This is an awesome lesson to help your students better understand the real reasons the South seceded from the Union by analyzing the actual primary sources from the era.

The activity can also be downloaded as part of the Civil War & Reconstruction Unit Bundle with over 50 awesome resources for teaching all about the Civil War!

Thanks for stopping by to check it out!

PS: You can get this great resource PLUS over 500 more amazing teaching activities for World or American History through a simple monthly subscription to my site StudentsofHistory.org!

Joining the site gives you immediate access to every engaging resource — each highly reviewed by thousands of teachers across the world! Save yourself time, energy, and sanity by joining today!

Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman?" - Primary Source Analysis Activity

This engaging activity on Sojourner Truth's famous "Ain't I a Woman?" speech is awesome for giving your students an introduction to analyzing primary sources.

The download includes 2 different versions of Sojourner Truth's speech. First is the most widely printed version that repeats her iconic rhetorical question.  The second is an earlier account from an Abolitionist newspaper. Both versions are short, compelling, and easy for students to understand.

In my class, I ask for volunteers to read them out loud so students can hear the power in her words and better differentiate between the 2 speeches.

Following the 2 versions is a worksheet with open-ended analysis questions designed to get your students thinking critically about Truth's words and the differences between the two accounts.

I love this resource because it is an primary source that is engrossing and in language students can comprehend. It's a great way to get them into more primary sources.

Thanks so much for checking it out!

PS: You can get this primary source analysis activity PLUS over 500 more amazing teaching resources and lessons for World or American History through a monthly subscription to my site StudentsofHistory.org!

Joining the site gives you immediate access to every engaging resource — each highly reviewed by thousands of teachers across the world! Save yourself time, energy, and sanity by joining today!

America's Meet Sumo Wrestlers for the 1st Time

This engaging primary source reading activity describes a colorful encounter between American sailors on the Matthew Perry expedition to Japan of 1852–1854 and a group of Japanese sumo wrestlers.

The primary source article includes a brief introduction to help students understand the background, then the short excerpt reading. This is a fantastic, colorful primary source that students can easily visualize and appreciate. The article is followed by a 1 page set of reading analysis questions.

One of my goals each year is to increase my students' reading skills and comprehension. I found that using short (1 page or so) readings like this that are interesting for students while also highlighting historic events is an awesome way to improve their reading and understanding of the events.

An answer key is also provided in the download for your convenience.

You can download this awesome resource for your classes by clicking here.

Thanks so much for looking!

PS: As a reminder, you can get this resource PLUS over 500 more amazing teaching activities for World or American History through a simple monthly subscription to my site StudentsofHistory.org! Joining gives you immediate access to every engaging resource — each highly reviewed by thousands of teachers across the world! Save yourself time, energy, and sanity by joining today!