Title: P
1P
An Interactive Pennsylvania Curriculum Guide
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is for
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2A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
K
L
I
J
Click on the letter that you want to visit!
M
P
N
O
R
Q
S
T
X
W
V
U
Y
Z
3A is for Amish
A
- The Amish first settled in Lancaster,
Pennsylvania in the 1720s for religious freedom. - They live a simple life with no electricity or
automobiles. - Farming, quilting, carpentry and family are very
important to these Plain People.
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
4B is for Ben Franklin
B
- Founding Father
- Famous Philadelphian
- Exciting Experimenter
- Innovative Inventor
- Declaration (of Independence) Drafter
- Almanac Author
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
5C is for Coal and Caverns
C
- Fossil Fuel
- Important natural resource for PA
- Many Mines
- Seldom Seen Tourist Coal Mine
- Crystal Cave Park
- Lost River Caverns
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
6D is for Deer
D
- Whitetail Deer is official state animal
- Important to Native Americans and colonists
- Hunting now regulated by game laws
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
7E is for Erie
E
- Major city
- Lake Erie is the northwest natural border of PA
- Beach
- Canal
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
8F is for Forests
F
- Pennsylvania means Penns woods
- Pennsylvania forests supply more hardwood lumber
than any other state for building homes, making
furniture, and producing paper at a value of 4.5
billion a year. - More than 2 million acres of forest
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
9G is for Gettysburg
G
- Gettysburg was founded in 1786 from the farmstead
of Samuel and James Gettys. - Site of the Civil War Battle in the summer of
1863. - Location of President Abraham Lincolns
Gettysburg Address.
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
10H is for Harrisburg
H
- Founded by John Harris and his son John Jr. in
1785 - Became the capital of Pennsylvania in 1812
- Capitol building wasdedicated in 1906
- One of the most important commercial centers and
distribution points in the East
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
11I is for Independence
I
- Independence Hall located in the city of
Philadelphia was original constructed in 1732 as
the Pennsylvania State House. - The building is recognized as the birthplace of
the United States of America. - It is the place where the Declaration of
Independence and the Constitution of the United
States was debated, drafted and signed.
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
12J is for James Buchanan
J
- 15th President of the United States 1857-1861
- Elected as a Democrat
- Born near Mercersburg, PA April 23, 1791
- Died in Lancaster, PA
- June 1, 1868
- Remained a bachelor throughout his term
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
13K is for Keystone
K
- Pennsylvania is called the keystone state
A "keystone" is the central, wedge-shaped stone
in an arch, which holds all the other stones in
place. Geographically, Pennsylvania was said to
be "the keystone in the federal union." However,
Pennsylvania is also a keystone in the
development of the United States.
HOME
Activity
Resources
14L is for Liberty Bell
L
- Why is it cracked?
- Facts and Figures
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
15M is for Mountains
M
Vast and varied across the state
Vast and varied across the state.
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
16N is for Native Americans
N
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
17O is for Original
O
- One of the Original 13 colonies
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
18P is for Punxsutawney Phil
P
- Pennsylvania's earliest settlers were Germans.
They found many groundhogs all over the state. - They determined that the groundhog, resembling
the European hedgehog, was an intelligent and
sensible animal and therefore decided that if the
sun did appear on February 2nd, so wise an animal
as the groundhog would see its shadow and hurry
back into its underground home for another six
weeks of winter. - If the day is cloudy and without shadows he takes
it as a sign of spring and stays above ground.
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
19Q is for Quakers
Q
- Founded in England by George Fox (1624-1691)
- William Penn (1644-1718)
- Toleration of minority religious groups
- Public stand against slavery
- Major role in organizing and running the
"Underground Railroad"
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
20R is for Railroads
R
- The first railroad in Pennsylvania opened in 1827
- the Switchback Railroad in Mauch Chunk, now
known as Jim Thorpe, P.A. - Horseshoe Curve near Altoona made crossing the
Allegheny Mountains possible
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
21S is for Shipping
S
- Conestoga Wagon
- Erie Canal - PA launched its first major
state-sponsored canal-building project in the
Schuylkill River valley in 1815 - Allegheny Portage Railroad opened on March 18,
1834, connecting two bodies of water at
Hollidaysburg and Johnstown - During the Revolutionary War, Philadelphia was a
perfect port because of its location between the
northern and southern colonies.
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
22T is for Turnpike
T
- Opened in 1794, the Philadelphia and Lancaster
Turnpike was the first of the new paved roads - Nation's first major toll road
- Other early turnpikes employed wood rather than
stone in their construction. "Corduroy" roads
were fairly common - They involved logs laid perpendicular to the
roadway, covered by soil. They provided better
traction than simple dirt roads, but proved
difficult to maintain
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
23U is for Underground Railroad
U
- Pennsylvania became the first northern state to
adopt an emancipation law, named the Gradual
Emancipation Act - Philadelphia Vigilance Committee was founded in
August 1837 - William Still, a hardworking clerk in the
Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society office made
Philadelphia a hub of the railroad.
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
24V is Valley Forge
V
- Revolutionary soldiers winter encampment
- 2,000 died from conditions
- Gen Washingtons HQ
- Living history
- Memorial Arch
- Chapel
- Edgar Allen Poes The raven written here!
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
25W is for Water
W
- Rivers, Lakes, Watersheds
- Commercial use
- Recreational use
- Natural habitants and
- habitats
- Environmental concerns
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
26X marks the spot where you live
X
- Neighborhoods
- Geography Landmarks
- History
- Population
- Changes
- Map skills
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
27Y is for Yellow (and blue)
Y
- State flag
- State motto
- State symbols
- Animal
- Bug
- Plant
- Beverage
- Fossil
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
28Z is for Zoo
Z
- Philadelphia Zoo- oldest in the country
- Pittsburgh Zoo, Aviary, Aquarium
- Petting Zoos
- Preserves
- Varieties,
- Conservation efforts
HOME
Lesson Plans
Activities
Resources
29A- Lesson plans
- Compare Contrast your community to the Amish
community http//www.lessonplanspage.com/SSAmishCo
mmunities23.htm - http//www.lessonplanspage.com/SSCommunityDiffere
ncesVenn3.htm
Back to A
30A- Activities
- Various games and activities http//www.ardecol.ac
-grenoble.fr/english/amishpage.htm
Back to A
31A- Resources
- http//pittsburgh.about.com/cs/pennsylvania/a/amis
h.htm - http//pittsburgh.about.com/cs/pennsylvania/a/amis
h_2.htm
Back to A
32B- Lesson Plans
- Interactive lesson
- http//www.school-for-champions.com/biographi
es/franklin.htm - Find out about Ben Franklin
- http//www.ccle.fourh.umn.edu/ruleswebstersd2.html
- http//school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/b
enfranklintimeline/
Back to B
33B- Activities
- Scavenger Hunt
- http//www.education-world.com/a_lesson/hunt/hunt0
18.shtml - Science Fun http//sln.fi.edu/franklin/activity.ht
ml - Games and more http//www.ushistory.org/franklin/f
un/
Back to B
34B- Resources
- http//www.lessonsfromhistory.com/lfhsampl.htm
- http//bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/
Back to B
35C- Lesson Plans
- Coal http//www.coaleducation.org/lessons/primary.
htm http//www.ceednet.org/educ/for_teachers/le
sson_plans.htm - Caverns http//interactive2.usgs.gov/learningweb/t
extonly/teachers/explorecaves_story1_lessons2.htm
Back to C
36C- Activities
- Cookie Mining http//www.teachcoal.org/lessonplan
s/cookie_mining.html
Back to C
37C- Resources
- Coal Facts http//www.teachcoal.org/aboutcoal/arti
cles/fastfacts.html - http//www.teachcoal.org/aboutcoal/articles/coalj
ourney.html - Cavern info http//interactive2.usgs.gov/learningw
eb/teachers/explorecaves_multimedia.htm - http//www.nps.gov/cave/home.htm
Back to C
38D- Lesson Plans
- http//sftrc.cas.psu.edu/
- http//www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Vir
tual/Lessons/Science/Ecology/ECL0043.html - http//www.proteacher.com/cgi-bin/outsidesite.cgi?
externalhttp//homeschooling.about.com/education/
homeschooling/library/weekly/aa102699.
Back to D
39D- Activities
- http//www.first-school.ws/activities/crafts/anima
ls/wild/reindeer2.htm - http//www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/mammals/
deer/Whitetailprintout.shtml - http//www.proteacher.net/dcforum/arts_crafts/185.
html3
Back to D
40D- Resources
- http//www.statehousegirls.net/pa/symbols/animal/
- http//www.geocities.com/pabackcountry/deerfacts.h
tm - http//www.proteacher.com/cgi-bin/outsidesite.cgi?
externalhttp//homeschooling.about.com/education/
homeschooling/library/weekly/aa102699.htmoriginal
http//www.proteacher.com/090140.shtmltitlePenn
sylvania20The20Keystone20State Scroll down
and click on state animal
Back to D
41E- Lesson Plans
- http//www.pbs4549.org/SECRETS/DLSLES2.HTM
Back to E
42E - Activities
- Lake Erie Scavenger Hunt
- http//www.pbs4549.org/SECRETS/DLSLES1.HTM
Back to E
43E - Resources
- http//www.pbs4549.org/SECRETS/DLSERIE.HTM
- http//www.presqueisle.org/
Back to E
44F - Lesson plans
- http//sftrc.cas.psu.edu/forest20_lessons/Maple2
0Syrup.htm - http//www.berksiu.k12.pa.us/webquest/LessWentzel/
index.htm
Back to F
45F - Activities
- http//www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/
Back to F
46F - Resources
- http//www.dep.state.pa.us/earthdaycentral/02/post
erdocs/paforests_explore.htm
Back to F
47G - Lesson plans
- http//www.education-world.com/a_lesson/00-2/lp200
6.shtml
Back to G
48G - Activities
- http//www.cr.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/44get
tys/44putting.htm
Back to G
49G - Resources
- http//www.nps.gov/gett/getttour/main-ms.htm
Back to G
50H - Lesson plans
- http//www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/VC/visitor_info/
activity_book/amazing_laws.htm
Back to H
51H - Activities
- http//www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/VC/visitor_info/
activity_book/word_search.htm
Back to H
52H - Resources
- http//www.visithhc.com/caphist.shtml
Back to H
53I - Lesson plans
- http//bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/documents/index.html
Back to I
54I - Activities
- http//bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/games/interactive.htm
l - http//www.pbs.org/democracy/kids/
Back to I
55I - Resources
- http//www.glencoe.com/sec/socialstudies/cgi-bin/s
plitwindow.cgi?top../top.htmllinkhttp//www.ush
istory.org/tour/tour_indhall.htm
Back to I
56J - Lesson plans
- http//www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lesso
ns/01/g35/presidents.html
Back to J
57J - Activities
- http//www.enchantedlearning.com/history/us/pres/w
ordsearch/preswordsearch.shtml
Back to J
58J - Resources
- http//www.museumstuff.com/articles/ar166881066247
501.html
Back to J
59K - Activities
- Design a new keystone symbol for Pennsylvania
with your favorite symbols.
Back to K
60K - Resources
- http//www.netstate.com/states/intro/pa_intro.htm
Back to K
61L - Lesson plans
- http//www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/misc/christ
mas/color/
Back to L
62L - Activities
- http//www.whyy.org/community/libertycontest.html
Back to L
63L - Resources
- http//www.ushistory.org/libertybell/
Back to L
64M - Lesson plans
- Persistent Paths Trails, Tracks, and Turnpikes
Across the Alleghenies http//www.explorepahistory
.com/viewLesson.php?id37
Back to M
65M - Activities
- http//www.dcnr.state.pa.us/topogeo/classroom/teac
hers/elem4.aspx
Back to M
66M - Resources
- http//entertainment.howstuffworks.com/roller-coas
ter6.htm
Back to M
67N - Lesson plans
- Persistent Paths Trails, Tracks, and Turnpikes
Across the Alleghenies http//www.explorepahistory
.com/viewLesson.php?id37 - Philadelphias Important Contribution to the
Lewis and Clark Expedition http//www.explorepahis
tory.com/viewLesson.php?id57 - The Three Faces of William Penn
http//www.explorepahistory.com/viewLesson.php?id
9
Back to N
68N - Activities
- Native American Madness http//www.mce.k12tn.net/i
ndians/games/memory1.htm - Native American Memory Games http//www.mce.k12tn.
net/indians/games/memory2.htm Spot the Loner
http//www.mce.k12tn.net/indians/games/play.html
Back to N
69N - Resources
- http//www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/VC/visitor_info/
pa_history/pa_history.htm - http//www.totaltrainingsols.com/Grade3/Grade3.htm
- http//www.thewildwest.org/native_american/index.h
tml - http//www.ilhawaii.net/stony/loreindx.html
Back to N
70O - Lesson plans
- http//www.proteacher.com/090021.shtml
Back to O
71O - Activities
- http//www.proteacher.com/090021.shtml
Back to O
72O - Resources
Back to O
73P - Lesson plans
- http//www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson048.
shtml
Back to P
74P - Activities
- http//www.groundhog.org/activities/
Back to P
75P - Resources
- http//www.stormfax.com/ghogday.htm
- http//www.starfall.com/n/holiday/groundhogsday/pl
ay.htm?f
Back to P
76Q - Lesson plans
- Role of the Quakers in Abolitionism
http//www.lessonplanspage.com/SecretsOfTheUndergr
oundRailroadUnitDay2AbolitionistAndQuakers4.htm
Back to Q
77Q - Activities
- Wiggle Free Zone - Here are a few ideas that use
some energy and gives children an opportunity to
get the wiggles out before starting with the
First Day School lesson. http//members.aol.com/_h
t_a/agkeener/fds/wiggles.htm
Back to Q
78Q - Resources
- The Freeman (http//www.quaker.org/wmpenn.html)
- RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS)
http//www.religioustolerance.org/quaker.htm - Pennsylvania (http//www.newadvent.org/cathen/1163
8c.htm) - Ideas on LibertyWilliam Penn, America's First
Great Champion for Liberty and Peace
by Jim Powell
Back to Q
79R - Lesson plans
- Allegheny Portage Railroad Developing
Transportation Technology - http//www.cr.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/23al
legheny/23allegheny.htm
Back to R
80R - Activities
- Railroad Museum of PA - Kids' Corner
- http//www.rrmuseumpa.org/education/kids/welcome
.htm
Back to R
81R - Resources
- Experience Pennsylvanias Railways History and
Heritage - http//www.parailways.com/history/
- Railroad History Timeline
- http//www.rrmuseumpa.org/education/historytimelin
e1.htm - Map of PA Railroads
- http//memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/map_item.pl?data/ho
me/www/data/gmd/gmd370/g3701/g3701p/rr000800.sids
tylerrmapitemLinkD?gmd29./temp/ammem_tOVg
titleMap20of20the20western20railroads20tribu
tary20to20Philadelphia,20with20their20rival2
0lines20prepared20under20the20
Back to R
82S - Lesson plans
- Allegheny Portage Railroad Putting it al
Together - http//www.cr.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/23all
egheny/23putting.htm
Back to S
83S - Activities
- Explore PA History Crossing the Alleghenies
click Interactive - http//www.explorepahistory.com/displayinteractive
.php?storyId10interId4
Back to S
84S - Resources
- Explore PA History Crossing the Alleghenies
- http//www.explorepahistory.com/story.php?storyId
10 - Pennsylvania Canal and Railroads
- http//www.explorepahistory.com/story.php?storyId
10chapter4
Back to S
85T - Lesson plans
- Persistent Paths Trails, Tracks and Turnpikes
across the Alleghenies - http//www.explorepahistory.com/viewLesson.php?id
37
Back to T
86T - Activities
- Explore PA History Crossing the Alleghenies
click Image Gallery - http//www.explorepahistory.com/displaygallery.ph
p?gallery_id22bcolorbpurple
Back to T
87T - Resources
- Crossing the Alleghenies
- http//www.explorepahistory.com/story.php?storyId
10 - Early Turnpikeshttp//www.explorepahistory.com/st
ory.php?storyId10chapter2 - The Pennsylvania Turnpike
- http//www.explorepahistory.com/story.php?storyId
10chapter5
Back to T
88U - Lesson plans
- WOULD YOU HAVE HELPED OUT? http//www.nationalgeog
raphic.com/xpeditions/lessons/17/g68/railroad.html
- Underground Railroad - Social Studies
- Grade Level - Intermediate/ Middle School
http//www.solanco.k12.pa.us/providence/UGRR/lessp
lan.htm - How Far to Freedom?
- http//www.explorepahistory.com/viewLesson.php?id
22
Back to U
89U - Activities
- Interactive Underground Railroad
- http//www.nationalgeographic.com/railroad/
- Underground Railroad
- http//www.explorepahistory.com/displayinteractive
.php?storyId8interId3 - Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad
- http//www2.lhric.org/pocantico/tubman/tubman.html
Back to U
90U - Resources
- Underground Railroad
- http//www.explorepahistory.com/story.php?storyId
8 - Organizing Escape Networks
- http//www.explorepahistory.com/story.php?storyId
8chapter3 - Helping Runaways
- http//www.explorepahistory.com/story.php?storyId
8chapter4 - Fighting Against Slavery
- http//www.explorepahistory.com/story.php?storyId
8chapter2
Back to U
91V- Lesson plans
- Lesson Plans
- http//school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/r
evwar3/ - http//besthistorysites.net/LessonPlans.shtml
Back to V
92V- Activities
- http//www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/kids/index.ht
ml Valley Forge for Kids activities - After viewing sample timelines students will
create a 10 item timeline with the Battle of
Valley Forge at the center. http//www2.canisius.
edu/emeryg/time.html - http//www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/c
onlaw/marry.htm (Who Wants to marry a Founding
father game) - http//www.quia.com/jg/66325.html Quiz on Places
of the American revolution - Examine the following historical documents
(pictures) http//www.archives.gov/digital_classr
oom/lessons/american_revolution_images/images/vall
ey_forge.gif - http//www.archives.gov/digital_classroom/lessons/
american_revolution_images/images/washington_and_c
ommittee.gif - Answer the following questions What problems
are shown facing the soldiers camped at Valley
Forge? What other problems might they have faced
that are not shown? How do you think the British
army's experience in Philadelphia compared with
the Americans' experience? Ask students to
compare the style of dress of the congressmen and
the soldiers, and ask them to brainstorm what
Washington might have been saying to the
congressmen - Vintage Photos Take digital photos of your
students when they dress up as historical
figures, but use the SEPIA setting to "age" the
images.
Back to V
93V- Resources
- http//www.explorepahistory.com/ Stories of
Pennsylvania's Past Present, attractions,
activities and resources for students and
teachers - http//www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/index.html
Historic valley Forge site (History and kids
section) - http//members.aol.com/TeacherNet/Revolutionarywar
.htmlLand - http//www.netstate.com/states/intro/pa_intro.htm
- http//www.usmint.gov/kids/index.cfm?fileContents
timeMachine Click on Revolutionary period for a
tour of Valley Forge and learn about the clothing
and money of the era. - http//library.thinkquest.org/J002611F/ WebQuest
Colonial kids
Back to V
94W - Lesson plans
- http//www.fi.edu/fellows/fellow7/dec98/delaware.h
tml Lessons and activities on Delaware Estuary - http//www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/nps/education/currican
dtools/pdf/millcreekcurriculum/Lesson_Plan_II.pdf - The Natural water Cycle and the Natural
Watershed (EPA) Delaware River
Back to W
95W - Activities
- http//www.web-savvy.com/river/Schuylkill/
- History and activities for the Schuylkill and
its wateshed - http//www.greenworks.tv/kids/
- Activities and information on environment and
watersheds in PA - http//www.ctic.purdue.edu/KYW/glossary/whatisaws.
html - Know your Watershed Information and activities
Back to W
96W - Resources
- http//www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/rivers/ Travel
the Pa Rivers
Back to W
97X - Lesson plans
- Community Government
- http//www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lesso
ns/04/g35/specialtown.html - Your Special Town from National Geographic
- http//ofcn.org/cyber.serv/academy/ace/soc/cecsst/
cecsst060.html Increase awareness of students
immediate community - http//ofcn.org/cyber.serv/academy/ace/soc/cecsst/
cecsst115.html Orienteering, map skills - http//www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/less
on325.shtml Variety of map skill Lesson plans for
Geography Week
Back to X
98X - Activities
- http//www.maps.com/games/
Back to X
99X - Resources
- Symbols and state facts
- http//bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/neighborhood/index.ht
ml - Http//www.pasda.psu.edu/outreach/trc.shtml
Back to X
100Y - Lesson plans
- http//members.aol.com/MrDonnHistory/States.htmlP
ennsylvania - Create a brochure _at_ PA lesson plan
- http//www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson278.s
html - 50 States, 5 Lessons with activities
Back to Y
101Y- Activities
- http//sites.state.pa.us/kids/state_emblems.htm
Games of state symbols - http//members.aol.com/MrDonnHistory/States.htmlU
SGAMES games of states and capitals
Back to Y
102Y- Resources
- http//sites.state.pa.us/kids
- http//www.50states.com/flag/paflag.htm Pa flag
- http//www.atozkidsstuff.com/pennsylvania.html
- http//www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/pahist/symbols.asp
?secid31 PA State Historical and Museum
Commission
Back to Y
103Z- Lesson plans
- http//www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr080.shtml
Its a Zoo Out There General zoo lesson plans
and National Zoo and Aquarium Week Lesson plans
and activities - http//www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson068.s
html Animals of the World an Internet Scavenger
Hunt
Back to Z
104Z- Activities
- http//netvet.wustl.edu/e-zoo.htm NetVet
Electronic Zoo from veterinarians, information
and activities for all animals (real and
fictional) - http//www.campingpa.com/story1.htm Zoos in PA
- http//www.switcheroozoo.com/zoo.htm Create a
new mammal by morphing body parts
Back to Z
105Z- Resources
- http//www.geozoo.org/ GeoZoo Exploring Our
Living Planet - http//www.phillyzoo.org/ Philadelphia Zoovisit
the kids section - http//www.hersheypa.com/attractions/zooAmerica/
Zoo America at Hershey Park - http//peaceablekingdompettingzoo.com/ Petting
Zoo
Back to Z