Life at Fort Larned - A Middle School Lesson Plan

Life at Fort Larned is a curriculum-based lesson plan for 6th through 8th grade based on the "intersection" between the relevant Kansas benchmarks and Fort Larned's principle interpretive themes. 

The lesson plan was developed with the help of the Kansas Department of Education Social Studies curriculum specialist and several Kansas classroom teachers. Its purpose is to briefly acquaint students with the reasons that Fort Larned was established and then to focus, specifically, on what life was like for those who lived on or near the fort.

This plan can be used with students who are actually planning an on-site visit to Ft. Larned or as a self contained classroom activity. Teachers may use all of the lessons for a multi-day unit or just focus on one of the featured groups of people for a single day lesson.

It is recommended that all teachers using this lesson plan start with the Fort Larned virtual trunk, which has pictures of everyday artifacts and activities, as a way to peak student interest.

Click here for a link to the lesson plan modules and associated materials.