250 Resource Kit for Teachers
Washington State’s 250 Resource Kit for Teachers is a curated set of databases, collections, primary and secondary source documents and ephemera, and classroom activities on four topics: Pacific Northwest Treaties, the Washington State Constitution, the Revolutionary War, and the Declaration of Independence.
In addition to the curated primary materials, the Washington State Historical Society (WSHS) has created quick-guides for each of these topics that highlight a few items from each set of materials with guiding questions, state standards, introductions to the sources, and areas for further research. This resource is perfect for educators who need to grab a source or activity for their lesson, or as inspiration for a whole unit of study. Students can also use this resource to conduct guided research, using curated content from reputable sources.
Please feel free reach out to WSHS education staff for support or more information.
Kevin Budrevich-Ryan, Senior Manager – K12 services
Kevin.Budrevich-Ryan@wshs.wa.gov
Pacific Northwest Treaties
Washington State Historical Society
A collection of background readings on the ‘Treaty Trail’ in Washington State.
Washington State Historical Society
A curated list of items from the society’s collections related to the ‘Treaty Trail.’
Washington State Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs
Links to the plan text of seven treaty documents.
Washington State Historical Society
Hand drawn and color map depicting Washington Territory, dated 1854. The chart at top of map includes treaty ratification dates for various Northwest and Plateau Indian Tribes and census data based largely upon 1855 Indian tribal populations. The inscription reads: “This map is compiled from the incomplete data of the NPRR Ex. & S., which when complete, may show some slight differences….by permission of Gov. I. I. Stevens (signed) Jno. Lambert.”
National Museum of the American Indian
An online lesson designed for high school that includes videos, essays, interactives, and a teacher’s guide.
Hibulb Cultural Center (Tulalip Tribe)
Curriculum designed for elementary students that includes video clips, stories, and a focus on cross-curricular connections with ELA standards.
Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest (University of Washington)
Suggested classroom activities for secondary students that also link to additional background essays and primary sources on the topic of Northwest treaties.
National Museum of the American Indian
A 5-minute video describing the history and importance of treaties between the United States and American Indians.
Teach With TVW
A video following Jerad Koepp (Wukchumni), Washington State Teacher of the Year in 2022, as he visits the traditional lands of the Nisqually in search of the treaty tree. As he explores, Jared also learns about the language, history, and importance of the Medicine Creek Treaty.
The Creative Advantage (Seattle Public Schools)
This story, told by Roger Fernandes (Lower Elwha Band of the S’Klallam Indians), touches on the relationship between Northwest Native people and salmon, and the importance of Native stewardship of the land.
Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
Curriculum organized by grade level as well as “ready to go” lessons, suggestions for integrating Since Time Immemorial across the curriculum, and more.
Washington Constitution
Washington State Library
A collection of contemporaneous news articles about the writing and ratifying of the Washington State Constitution.
Legacy Washington (Washington Secretary of State)
A digital exhibit placing Washington’s constitution in the national context.
Washington State Archives
Digital images of the Washington State Constitution.
Washington State Legislature
Plain text version of the Washington State Constitution.
Washington State Historical Society
Information includes each member’s name, age, occupation, birthplace, and date of arrival in Washington.
Washington State Historical Society
Announcement of the general election to ratify the Washington State Constitution.
Washington State Historical Society
Photographic montage of the members of the 1889 constitutional convention in Olympia at statehood.
Washington State Historical Society
The three-part inkwell that was used for signing the Washington State Constitution, consisting of an iron base with an attached rack with space to rest two pens, a molded glass inkwell, and metal top. The base and top are embossed with a geometric Art Nouveau design and markers marks on bottom of glass inkwell are illegible.
Washington State Historical Society
The dip pen used to sign the Washington State Constitution with a gold nib and grip section and a mother of pearl handle. “Fairchild 6” is engraved on grip section of the pen and the distributors marking embossed on top of the original box reads “Kurtz & Monaghan / Gold Pens / New York.”
Washington State Historical Society
An 1889 political cartoon promoting the new State of Washington and its many resources at statehood.
Teach With TVW
A video about some of the unique features of the Washington State Constitution, with suggested classroom discussion questions.
iCivics
A lesson plan from iCivics which facilitates side-by-side comparisons of the Washington State and U.S. constitutions.
National Archives
This lesson from the National Archives is intended to guide study of the U.S. Constitution; however, some of the activities could be adapted to the Washington State Constitution.
Revolutionary War
Databases & Collections
National Park Service
Exploration of the places of the American Revolution in the National Park system along with a link to a complete list. There is also a link to a list of the places of American Revolution battlefields.
American Revolution Institute
Extensive digital collections of materials, including maps, armaments, broadsides, manuscripts, newpapers, prints, photograhps, metalwork, etc. Some items include summary and description, such as manuscripts.
PBS Learning Media
A gallery of primary sources designed for secondary classroom use and focused on attempts to sway public opinion during and immediately after the Revolutionary War. Includes suggested discussion questions, and links to further materials. (Requires a free account for full access.)
Documents & Artifacts
Library of Virginia
This document officially named George Washington as the general and commander in chief of the Continental forces.
National Museum of American History
This small mahogany compass has an inset paper card with 32 points that was probably made for a nautical use. The outer edge of the card is graduated every degree, and numbered every 10 degrees in quadrants from north and south. Joseph McClellan (d. 1834), a captain in the Continental Army, is said to have carried it during the Revolutionary War.
National Museum of American History
George Washington’s traveling dispatch case, used while he was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
National Museum of American History
Cardboard draw-tube telescope (spyglass) that may date from the eighteenth century. It is believed to have been brought out of the Revolutionary War by William Powers, a resident of western Virginia (later West Virginia) who believed it had belonged to his Colonel.
National Museum of American History
Color print of formal military surrounder ceremony.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
A powder horn engraved with the name Prince Simbo, an African American soldier in the Continental Army, as well as other symbols and the date November 17, 1777.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
A lithograph based on W. L. Champney’s illustration of the Boston Massacre. The image focuses on Crispus Attucks, who appears in the center, club in hand, holding the barrel of a British soldier’s musket. Behind him, a line of British soldiers fire into a crowd of club-wielding citizens.
American Revolution Institute
This toy, produced beginning in 1868, told a bright and colorful story of the American Revolution aimed at young children through a scrolling set of lithographs.
Classroom Activities
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
DBQ format lesson designed for high school students focused on using primary and secondary source analysis to support argument.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Elementary lesson asking students to investigate and analyze the historical context of the Revolutionary War song, Yankee Doodle. As a culminating activity, students are asked to create their own additional verses.
National Museum of the American Indian
An informational website that asks the question, ‘How did the American Revolution cost the Haudenosaunee Confederacy most of its land?’ Includes video explainers, transcripts, and a teacher’s guide.
National Museum of the American Indian
A video exploring how national stories are told and how they shape our understanding of our shared history.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
An infograph created by the staff at the Washington Library that visually represents loyalists in America during the Revolutionary War, and where they migrated to following the war.
Museum of the American Revolution
An interactive website telling the stories of five African American men and women in revolutionary Virginia.
PBS Learning Media
A digital interactive lesson designed for high school that explores how women contributed to the Revolutionary War effort and why their contributions are important to fully understand this period in history. (Requires a free account for full access.)
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Links to selected primary sources with explanatory captions, transcription (when relevant), and suggestions for classroom use.
National Park Service
Lessons and activities relating to the American Revolution grouped by historical places within the National Park system.
Museum of the American Revolution
Modular materials which include thematic units, images, interactives, a virtual timeline, and a virtual exhibit.
Museum of the American Revolution
Lessons targeted at a middle school level that explore the role of museums; types of revolutions; and the people, causes, events, and repercussions of the American Revolution.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
A digitally annotated version of the articles of British surrender along with a transcript of the original text, a video about Yorktown, and suggestions for classroom discussion and analysis.
Declaration of Independence
Monticello
Links to resources including a digital exhibition, a timeline, explanatory essays, and a close-reading interactive.
National Archives
Digital images of the Declaration with links to a transcription, an explanatory essay, and more.
National Archives
Digital images and a transcription of the Lee Resolution, a resolution introduced to the second continental congress proposing independence for the American colonies.
Library of Virginia
Published May 1, 1775, this political cartoon criticizes King George III.
Pennsylvania State Library
Images and transcript of a letter dated October 8, 1777 opposing the Declaration of Independence.
National Archives
Digital images, a transcript, and an explanatory essay of the Articles of Confederation, the first version of the constitution adopted after the Declaration of Independence.
Monticello
Digitally annotated copy of the declaration offering additional context and explanation.
Library of Congress
Lesson plan asking whether Jefferson’s words in the declaration were “hypocrisy, or compromise?” Includes a portal with selected sources for independent research.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson plan designed for elementary students which views the Declaration through the lens of complaint, and encourages students to see it as part of a larger protest movement.
