Education

 

There are a variety of lessons and activities for grades 4-12. The historic trail lessons are an essential lens to understanding the perspectives, pathways and intersections of emigrants, American Indians, white settlers, soldiers and traders throughout the early to late 19th century. We encourage you to incorporate these lessons into your classroom as you deem fit.

We highly recommend that you familiarize yourself with:

• National Park Service for Teachers

Through the portal, you will have full access to NPS recommended lessons and activities that align with Common Core and State Standards. Simply use the search engine and type in "California National Historic Trail." Some of these lessons are credited to teachers in local communities, while others link to partner websites and associated trail sites along the California Trail.

National Historic Trails Lesson Plan

• Pathways and Perspectives Lesson Plan

This 3-5 day lesson focuses on the skills of collaboration and presentation in an effort to teach students about the content and concepts along nine of the national historic trails. The purpose of this is to have them not only research and understand, but also think critically about the pathways and perspectives of trail travelers. This multiday lesson plan was created by a Colorado teacher for national historic trails (see below).

• More about Caleb and his work as a Teacher Ranger Teacher

 

Partner Lesson Plans

Teacher Resource Guide

Teacher Resource Guide for Casa San Ysidro, The Gutíerrez/Minge House along El Camino

Casa San Ysidro is a certified property along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. The Albuquerque Museum of Art and History staff designed the Teacher Resource Guide to support teacher and student learning about this pivotal period of history in New Mexico. Colonial, Mexican, and Territorial New Mexico are covered.

 

Lesson Plans

This education package from New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, Historic Preservation Division contains the following four lessons:

• Lesson 1: Blazing the Trail. Chronology: Cause and Effect
• Lesson 2: Travel through Time on El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
• Lesson 3: What to Take, What to Trade?
• Lesson 4: Family Stories. Those Who Arrived, Those Who Stayed