The New Nation

--Kristy Brugar
A filed trip on the school grounds recalls a historical adventure. Watch for bears! Also includes Paul Horton's review of a nonfiction book about a black man and comrade: "York's Adventure with Lewis and Clark."

This URL downloads all 16 pages of Middle Level Learning as a pdf of about 0.8 MB:
* http://members.ncss.org/mll/19/mll19.pdf

--Byron Augustin and Michael Bailey

Students get dirty making adobe brick, just like those in the Palace of Governors in Santa Fe, New Mexico--the oldest continuously occupied building in the U.S. Also includes quiz "Tough Stuff" building materials; and book review of "Mud Matters."

This URL downloads all 16 pages of Middle Level Learning as a pdf of about 1.0 MB:   --> read more »

Students discuss how "ideas that a society mistakenly believes to be scientific can be used to promote social prejudice and discrimination." An etched image (ca. 1840) of an Irish immigrant's "broad, low head" clearly shows "exceedingly deficient moral organs -- especially benevolence."

This URL downloads all 16 pages of Middle Level Learning as a pdf of about 0.7 MB:   --> read more »

--Richard M. Wyman, Jr.
Children traveling west with their families sometimes kept diaries. "precisely because they were trapped in the present moment," these young authors often viewed "their immediate world with a special clarity."

This URL downloads all 16 pages of Middle Level Learning as a pdf of about 3.5MB:
http://members.ncss.org/mll/01/mll01.pdf

--Jackie Kofsky and Barb Morris
Lessons introduce K-3 students to key symbols of our country. (And see following Pullout.)

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/yl/1901/190116.pdf

--Karen Hoelscher
Third graders developed brief dramas (based on this historical fiction book series) to present to classmates, teachers, and invited family friends.

http://publications.socialstudies.org/yl/1002/100204.html

--Lynette Field and Judith Y. Singer
The authors describe books for youth about 1) the early encounters between Native Americans and Europeans, and 2) cultural and economic wealth generated by the coming of horses to the continent, and 3) forced marches and separation of families.

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/yl/1804/180424.pdf

--Carol Carney Warren
Through the use of primary source materials, students can investigate the effects that dam construction on the Gila River has had on the lifestyle of the Pima Indians in central Arizona.

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/yl/1804/pullout

--Mark Finchum
A primer for recognizing stereotyping where it might occur in alphabet books; textbooks; children's literature; activities around the Thanksgiving and Columbus holidays; and portrayals of modern life in the USA.

http://publications.socialstudies.org/yl/1804/180404.pdf

--Brenda Betts
A brief survey of four major U.S. migrations of homeless children: the Cherokee Trail of Tears; the Underground Railroad; the Orphan Train Riders; and the One Thousand Children program (during the Holocaust). Includes brief accounts from four children.

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/yl/1803/180309.pdf