Students are introduced to the early history of the Native Americans and their treatment by European settlers. Then they explore the causes and effects of both the American Revolution and the Civil War. Finally, students consider the place of Christopher Columbus in American history.
Students read an overview of the experience and its objectives, view an image of Sitting Bull, and respond to a prompt describing what they notice in the picture. They then complete a two-column table to record what they already know and what they would like to know about Native American history.
Teacher MovesIntroduce the experience focus and objectives. Guide a brief discussion of the Sitting Bull image, then review students’ K–W table responses, highlighting prior knowledge and encouraging students to look for answers to their questions in later scenes.
Students view images of Native Americans, then watch a video titled Native Americans to learn about the diversity of Native cultures and their relationships with the environment. They summarize, in their own words, Native American culture before the arrival of outsiders, focusing on environmental interactions. Next, they explore the website Native Americans to investigate different tribes and traditions, and answer questions identifying nomadic Great Plains tribes and a key plant resource near the Great Lakes.
Teacher MovesPrompt students to include specific cultural and environmental details in their summaries and share an interesting or exemplary response with the class to spark discussion. Clarify answers to the multiple-choice questions as needed and reinforce key ideas about regional differences among Native American groups.
Students examine an image of George Washington crossing the Delaware and read background text about English colonization, rising tensions with Great Britain, and the American Revolution. They read and explore the article American Revolution, focusing on sections such as British America: Thirteen Colonies, the Boston Tea Party, the Boston Massacre, and the end of the war. Using a two-column table, they take notes on causes and effects of the American Revolution.
Teacher MovesDirect students’ attention to key events and turning points in the American Revolution and ensure their notes clearly distinguish causes from effects. Preview that students will soon compare or choose between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War when explaining causes and effects.
Students view an image from the Civil War and read an introduction explaining that the United States faced an internal war less than 80 years after independence. They read and explore the article Civil War, focusing on topics such as What Started the War?, The Slavery Issue, the Emancipation Proclamation, and at least two additional topics of interest. Using a two-column table, they take notes on causes and effects of the Civil War. Then, drawing on their notes from this scene and/or the previous one, they post an explanation of the causes and effects of either the Revolutionary War or the Civil War, including how the chosen war affected people in the United States. Finally, they read classmates’ posts and respond to at least two—one on the same war and one on the other war—with a question or positive comment.
Teacher MovesSupport students in identifying and organizing major causes and effects of the Civil War, emphasizing the role of slavery and key political developments. Facilitate a whole-class summary of the causes and effects of both wars, drawing on student posts to compare impacts on different groups and regions.
Students view an image of Christopher Columbus and read about his traditional portrayal as the “discoverer” of America and the ongoing controversy surrounding his legacy. They watch the video History vs. Christopher Columbus to explore differing perspectives on his role in connecting the “Old” and “New” Worlds. Then they write a paragraph answering whether Columbus was an intrepid explorer who brought two worlds together or a ruthless exploiter who brought colonialism and slavery, supporting their opinion with evidence from the video. Students read several classmates’ responses and participate in a class discussion or debate about the differing viewpoints.
Teacher MovesEncourage students to consider multiple perspectives on Columbus and to ground their opinions in specific evidence from the video. Facilitate a structured discussion or debate that surfaces contrasting interpretations, guiding students to respectfully question and respond to one another’s arguments.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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