Using the search term "The Trail of Tears," teachers can find the United States National Park Service site containing documents, maps and a listing of other National Parks situated along the historic trail. The NPS Trail of Tears site also contains lesson plans, photos and historical background. Another site for background information is connected to the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. Here teachers can find a useful information packet as well as photos and student activities.
Two other sites provide teachers with activities, worksheets and historical documents. The Georgia Trail of Tears Project, overseen by the Historic Preservation Division of Georgia's Natural Resources Department, contains maps, lesson plans, activities and a long list of additional websites to access.
The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) produced a documentary titled, "Andrew Jackson: Good, Evil and the Presidency," which, in part, examines Jackson's role in The Trail of Tears. The documentary's site is packed with ideas.
The best part about teaching is learning from other educators! Many teachers have posted lesson plans online for studies about The Trail of Tears. The School of Education at UNC-Chapel Hill hosts LearnNC.org which has a lesson on The Trail of Tears. EASTCONN a collective of 36 school boards in Connecticut has a lesson to share; as does UEN, the Utah Education Network. Find more by using the search terms "Trail of Tears" + lesson plans.
Teachers with plant loving students can send them on a botanical exploration for this unit. The Cherokee Rose (Rosa laevigata) is the State Flower of Georgia, as well as the symbol for The Trail of Tears. The legend of the Cherokee says the flower grew along the trail wherever tears were shed. Ironically, Rosa laevigata is an evergreen climbing shrub introduced to the southern United States in 1780 from southern Asia.