Sand Creek Though the Eyes of Colorado Territory

Grade Level
High School (Grades 9-12)

Subjects
United States History

Focus
This lesson focuses on the ways in which public perception and interpretation of the events at Sand Creek on November 29, 1864 have changed over time. Using newspaper accounts from Colorado's Historic Newspapers, students will trace events and personalities related to the incident between 1864-1880. Discussion will revolve around bias in primary sources, with a focus on the importance of detecting and accounting for bias in these sources.

Standards Assessed
History Standard 2: Students know how to use the processes and resources of historical inquiry.

• 2.1 Students know how to formulate questions and hypotheses regarding what happened in the past and to obtain and analyze historical data to answer questions and test hypotheses.
• 2.2 Students know how to interpret and evaluate primary sources of historical information.

Assessment
Using primary source articles from Colorado's Historic Newspaper Collection, students will research, write and discuss issues related to the events at Sand Creek on November 29, 1864. They will collate their findings in written form using the student handout, which will be turned in.

Time
One, 90-minute block class period or two 45-55 minute class periods.

Materials/Teacher Preparation Section

• 1 copy of student handout for each student in the class
• 1 computer with internet capability for each student in the class
• 1 United States History textbook (optional); alternatively access to the websites listed below

Possible Procedures

1. In a computer lab, have students log in and connect their browser to http://test.bcr.org/cdp/projects/newspapers/index.html. Have students click on the "search" section of the website.
   
   
2. Hand out the student handout and tell students that they are going to be looking at primary sources to discover what "really happened" at Sand Creek on November 29, 1864.
   
   
3. Before they do this, however, tell them that they need a little background on the massacre. Have them read the section in their textbook regarding the incident. If there is sparse information in their textbooks, refer them to the websites: http://www.npca.org/explore_the_parks/new_parks/sandcreek.asp
   http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/places/states/colorado/sandcreek.htm. Have students answer question 1 on the handout, and discuss what is generally the view that history takes toward the massacre.
   
   
4. Have students complete questions 2 & 3 on "Student Handout 1" (this will take a while). Pull the class back together and discuss what students found.
   
   
5. Have students read the Michno article (http://historynet.com/we/blsandcreekvillians/index.html) and answer question 4 on "Student Handout 1". Pull students together and discuss their findings.
   
   
6. Wrap up by having students revisit their answers to question 1. Have students speculate as to why history interpret the events of November 29, 1864 as they do.

-Kurt Knierim, Rocky Mountain High School