Expedition: Our History

EXPEDITION OVERVIEW

In this expedition, we will explore American History including topics such as the founding of our nation, the Constitution and the Revolutionary War. We will discover the connections between our lives, our ancestor’s lives and our history. Students will conduct research, plan, write a short historical fiction story and create a realistic artifact.

GUIDING QUESTIONS:

1. How was our country and government established?

2. What events and persons have shaped the history of our country?

3. How have the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens changed over time?

4. What rights and freedoms are guaranteed to me and all citizens of the United States?

5. What contributions have U.S. citizens made in the fields of science and mathematics?

WEB RESOURCES

Complete U.S. History Overviews

Library of Congress - contains primary documents and media related to U.S. history

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html

Smithsonian Museum Online - contains artifacts related to U.S. history

http://americanhistory.si.edu/index.cfm

Henry Ford Museum - a timeline with artifacts, primary resources and interactive games

http://www.thehenryford.org/exhibits/smartfun/modelt/modules/START/start.htm

America's Library - click on a time period or enter a date to get a brief overview of important historical events

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/index.php

Encyclomedia - a variety of videos related to history like "Henry Ford" and "Inventions" (CAUTION: parents must select and screen first to ensure videos are appropriate!)

http://www.encyclomedia.com/history.html

Archiving Early America - a great resource for America's "Founding Years"

http://www.earlyamerica.com

Jamestown

Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center

http://www.historyisfun.org/jamestown-economy.htm

"Discovering Jamestown" - a video resource

http://www.whro.org/jamestown2007/videos/index.html

The Jamestown Chronicles: Biographies for Role Play

http://www.historyisfun.org/chronicles/main.html

Taking Liberty

George Washington's Mount Vernon - many primary resources, links and timeline of George Washington’s life. 3D games, etc.

http://www.mountvernon.org/index.cfm/

Martha Washington's Biography

http://www.marthawashington.us/items/show/476

Slavery: Primary Resources

http://www.marthawashington.us/items/show/477

Meet George Washington - "Different People, Different Stories" is a document that explores the lives of individual slaves from Mount Vernon and their relationships with George and Martha Washington

http://www.mountvernon.org/content/different-people-different-stories

Early Explorers

Explorers - several activities involving the different early explorers

http://www.mce.k12tn.net/explorers/explorers_start.htm

Exploration of North America - an interactive map showing routes of North American explorers

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/books/applications/imaps/maps/g5s_u2/index.html

The Mariner's Museum - biographies, goals of exploration and routes

http://www.marinersmuseum.org/education/age-exploration

Colonial Life

The Jamestown Online Adventure - an online game about the Jamestown Colony

http://www.historyglobe.com/jamestown/

A Colonial Family and Community - an online activity with short film clips