Education
Education is one of the primary missions of the Missouri Digital Heritage Initiative. To meet this goal, lessons are available for elementary and secondary teachers who use archival sources to teach the value of original, historical documents. In addition, annotated bibliographies and links to sites of interest provide resources for teachers and students interested in gaining a deeper understanding of lesson topics. Using these programs and curricula, educators and students can develop a greater appreciation for the rich heritage of Missouri.
Educator Resources (Curricula)
African American
- Before Dred Scott: Freedom Suits in Antebellum Missouri
Students gain an understanding of the struggle of antebellum slaves seeking their freedom in Missouri courts. - Missouri's Early Slave Laws: A History in Documents
Students use original documents to learn more about slavery in Missouri. - Progress Amidst Prejudice: Portraits of African Americans in Missouri, 1880-1920
Students are able to visualize through photographs how African American Missourians lived, worked, learned and struggled. - United States Colored Troops in Civil War Missouri
Students explore the role of Missouri's African American Union troops in the Civil War through the use of primary sources.
Lewis & Clark's Corp of Discovery
- Following the Lewis & Clark Trail
Students learn about the Lewis and Clark expedition in Missouri by exploring the campsites and landmarks of the journey. - A School Yard Journal
Students gain an understanding of how to create their own journal, much like those Lewis and Clark created as they explored. - Mapping Lewis and Clark in Missouri
Students explore the importance of the Corps of Discovery expedition through a variety of activities.
Other
- Crack of the Pistol: Dueling in the 19th Century
Students use original records to glimpse the role dueling played in Missouri history. - Man's Best Friend: The Old Drum Story
Students gain an understanding of the judicial process through Missouri court records related to the origin of the saying “a dog is man’s best friend.” - Ticket to the Past: The First 25 Years of the Missouri State Fair
Students explore the Missouri State Fair through original documents.
Student Resources
- Missouri History: Common Questions
This site provides answers to frequently asked Missouri history questions. - Missouri African American History Initiative
This page describes resources available for researching African American history at the Missouri State Archives. - State Symbols of Missouri
This link provides basic information on Missouri’s state symbols. - Timeline of Missouri History
This site includes highlights of events in Missouri history by decade. - SOS Kids' Page
This page provides a fun learning adventure on Missouri history.
Programs
- Archives Alive! Performances
This page provides information for educators on attending an Archives Alive! performance for fourth and fifth grade students. - Missouri State Archives Event Presentations
This site includes videos and transcripts of past programs at the Missouri State Archives. - National History Day
This page encourages young people to explore history by participating in the annual regional History Day competition hosted by the Missouri State Archives.
Sites of Interest
- Dred Scott: 150th Anniversary Commemoration
This page provides access to the events and activities at the Dred Scott Symposium held in St. Louis, March 1-3, 2007. - Famous Missourians
This link includes biographical material and images related to notable Missourians. - Hall of Famous Missourians
This site contains information on the bronze busts in the Missouri Capitol honoring individuals recognized for outstanding achievements in Missouri history. - Learning in Missouri
This page includes a listing of Missouri’s educational resources for all ages. - Missouri Constitution
This link provides access to the Missouri Constitution in several formats. - Missouri Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commission Education Resources
This page contains links to educational resources on Lewis and Clark’s discoveries in Missouri. - Our Documents: 100 Milestone Documents in U.S. History
This site includes resources for working with 100 key American history documents in the classroom. - U.S. National Archives and Records Administration Digital Classroom
This link provides activities and training from the National Archives for educators and students. - U.S. National Endowment for the Humanities EDSITEment
This site provides online lesson plans and humanities resources from museums, libraries, cultural institutions, and universities.