Primary Sources for Native American Heritage Month

Each November, Americans celebrate Native American Heritage Month. It is a time to celebrate the culture and heritage along with the contributions of Native people. In addition, it is an opportunity to raise awareness of the real stories of Native Americans, not caricatures and stereotypes. A quick search of the TeachersFirst blog page finds many … read more »

Native Knowledge 360° Education Initiative

On June 2, 1924, Congress enacted the Indian Citizenship Act, which granted citizenship to all Native Americans born in the U.S. Although this act provided Native Americans with many rights of citizenship, individual state laws determined voting rights. Until 1957, some states barred Native Americans from voting, and it wasn’t until the passage of the Civil … read more »

10 Resources to Celebrate the National Day of the American Cowboy

When someone talks about cowboys, what comes to your mind? Maybe you think of wide open spaces where cowboys ride their horses and guide cattle toward their ranch. Perhaps it reminds you of songs with a western twang and folksy appeal. Others immediately reminisce upon childhood memories of watching T.V. westerns like Gunsmoke, The Lone … read more »

Incredible Resources from the National Park Service to Use in Any Classroom

You are in for a treat if you haven’t visited the National Park Service website. In addition to providing information for those looking for tips on visiting or enjoying national parks, the site shares an abundance of resources for classrooms and educators to use in many different lessons and activities.  A visit to the website … read more »

Lewis and Clark’s Discovery Expedition

“Amazing the things you find when you bother to search for them.” Sacagawea Two hundred and fifteen years ago, on September 22, 1806, Lewis and Clark arrived in St Charles, MO—their last stop before reaching their final destination of St. Louis, ending the first recorded overland journey from the Mississippi River to the Pacific coast … read more »