Resource Library

The National Register of Historic Places provides a great avenue for social studies teachers to get their students outside. The advanced search locates places using numerous fields, including geographic location, area of significance and period of significance.

Students will examine the complexity of large-scale, slave-worked agricultural enterprises, the origins of rice production and the role it played in the economy of the antebellum South, and how before "cotton was king," the plantation system had already been producing crops such as rice, indigo and tobacco. Teaching materials include maps, readings, photos and drawings.

Students examine Hispanic folk traditions, the influences of the natural environment on the folklife and folk arts of the Rio Grande region and experience Hispanic cultural traditions by participating in related activities. While not designed for a specific grade level, content can be adapted to various levels.

Students examine the basic purpose and work of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the involvement of African Americans in the CCC. They focus on issues such as the benefits gained and problems faced by African Americans who worked in the CCC and the attitude and approach of different New Deal officials towards the black men in the CCC.

Click on the act to be directed to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) informational pages

1969 – National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

1970 – Clean Air Act

1970 – Reorganization Plan No. 3 (established the EPA)

ENTRI (Environmental Treaties and Resource Indicators) is a comprehensive online tool for accessing international environmental treaty data. There is status data for environmental treaties, treaty text and tools for searching for treaties by subject or country.

This resource introduces students to the basic principles of landscape painting. Students will also learn geography skills to gain appreciation for the physical characteristics of different regions of the United States. It also explores the way that Americans felt about their growing nation during the period of westward expansion until the end of the nineteenth century.

"The National Parks: America’s Best Idea," is a six-episode documentary directed by Ken Burns. It is the story of an idea as uniquely American as the Declaration of Independence - and just as radical: that the most special places in the nation should be preserved, not for royalty or the rich, but for everyone. The series began on Sept. 27, 2009 on PBS.

Views offers spectacular presentations of the national parks, allowing students to interactively explore the natural world. Presentations cover the natural, historic and cultural aspects of the parks. Some presentations include videos and lesson plans. Views can also be used as a virtual field trip.

Using the Nebraska rangeland as an example, students will explore the concept of public lands. Students will learn the intended use of public lands and the conflicts that arise among users by examining the history, politics and science of range management. The lesson plan includes reading, group discussion and activity, research and a reflective paper.