What is Westward Expansion?

During the 19th Century, more than 1.6 million square kilometers (a million square miles) of land west of the Mississippi River was acquired by the United States federal government. This led to a widespread migration west, referred to as Westward Expansion. A variety of factors contributed to Westward Expansion, including population growth and economic opportunities on what was presented to be available land. Manifest Destiny … Continue reading What is Westward Expansion?

Preschool Aims to Keep the Dakota Language Alive

UNITED STATES A young educator plans to open an immersion school in Minnesota, where only five Dakota first-language speakers remain. Funding and staffing challenges often face such schools, but Vanessa Goodthunder is determined to “help heal historical trauma.” (Christian Science Monitor) How are Native Americans in California working to preserve another endangered language? Watch this great video lesson from our partners at the Global Oneness … Continue reading Preschool Aims to Keep the Dakota Language Alive

Five Things You Probably Don’t Know About Thanksgiving

UNITED STATES When the Mayflower pilgrims and the Wampanoag sat down for the first Thanksgiving in 1621, it wasn’t actually that big of a deal. So what was going on? (National Geographic) What was that 1621 Thanksgiving like? Use “Geography in the News” to find out. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas 1. The 1621 … Continue reading Five Things You Probably Don’t Know About Thanksgiving

Did the First Americans Take a Ride on the Kelp Highway?

SCIENCE Until recently, it was widely thought that the first humans arrived in North America via a land bridge between what is now Russia and Alaska. Now, anthropologists think America’s earliest humans didn’t arrive by land at all. (Science) Why did humans migrate to the Americas? Use our activity to explore ancient push-pull factors. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in … Continue reading Did the First Americans Take a Ride on the Kelp Highway?

After 150 years, First Nations Try to Raise the Rent around Lake Huron

POLITICS In exchange for land, Queen Victoria promised an annuity to each indigenous person around Lake Huron. Now a legal case seeks to bring that treaty up to date. (The Guardian) Where is this $4 land? Use our downloadable map to find Ojibwe cultural territory. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas Many indigenous peoples are … Continue reading After 150 years, First Nations Try to Raise the Rent around Lake Huron