Fort Vancouver Resources
Teacher's Guide
Download the Teacher's Guide Here
Note: Document contains 80+ pages!
Teachers will receive:
- Professional development clock hours
- Priority placement on the 2009-2010 Fort Vancouver field study calendar
- A contribution toward school bus rental for class field trip
- Printed materials
- Breakfast and lunch
- The pride of designing curriculum to be used by teachers in our region and beyond
Hands-On Programs
Company Servant (Grades 4–6)
The laborers at Fort Vancouver created many of the items necessary for the survival of the Fort’s inhabitants and Oregon Trail emigrants and engendered profit for the Hudson’s Bay Company. Join some of the tradesmen to learn about their contribution to the fort and to experience first-hand some of the tasks performed by these people. Jobs may include blacksmith, carpenter, baker, cook and/or steward.
Pieces of the Past (Grades 4–12)
Imagining that they are in charge of rebuilding the fort that was destroyed over 140 years ago, students will look for clues in the archaeological and historical record regarding the appearance of one of the fort’s buildings, who lived there, and what type of activities occurred in the house. Through this process, students will learn about life at the fort in the 1840s.
School of the Soldier (Grades 4–12)
Students will be introduced to the life of a frontier soldier by initially viewing and discussing a typical camp set up with cooking area, sleeping area, haversack and its contents, personal equipment and weapons.
Group Tours
Individual Group Tour (Grades 3–12)
The Hudson's Bay Company was instrumental in the development of Euro-American culture in the Pacific Northwest. After an introduction to the Fort, students are taken on a guided tour through three of the buildings. At each building the guide describes activities that took place in the building, and the lives of Hudson's Bay Company employees who lived or worked there. After the tour, groups are welcome to visit any of the site’s other buildings, including the Bake House, Blacksmith Shop, Carpenter Shop, Jail, Bastion, Hospital/Barclay Quarters and Counting House on a self-guided basis. A teacher’s self-guided tour binder is available.
Fixed Station Tour (Grade 4 only)
The fixed station tours are a 1.5 hour tour designed to accommodate four classes. Classes rotate through four buildings. In each building, a guide presents a 10 minute program on the lives of the employees who lived or worked there, and how their activities helped American settlers.
Visitor Center
Plan time to tour the Visitor Center. Individuals, events, and processes are examined through static exhibits and video in the Visitor’s Center.
Classroom Opportunities
The Fort Vancouver National Historic Site can bring exciting educational programs for grades K-12 to your auditorium or classroom. Our hands-on outreach programs are a great way to prepare your students for a visit or as a way to extend the learning experience following your visit.
Hands-On Program: The Company Servant
Grade Level: 4–6
Length: 75 Minutes
Key Concept
The laborers at Fort Vancouver created many of the items necessary for the survival of the Fort’s inhabitants and Oregon Trail emigrants and engendered profit for the Hudson’s Bay Company.
Description of Experience
Students will join some of the tradesmen to learn about their contribution to the fort and to experience first-hand some of the tasks performed by these people. Jobs may include blacksmith, carpenter, baker, cook and/or steward.
Goals
As a result of this experience, students will be able to:
- Analyze how people from various cultural groups have shaped the region’s history.
- Understand the physical and cultural characteristics of a place.
Objectives
During the experience, students will:
- List at least three jobs that were carried out by servants.
- Describe how the servants aided the Hudson’s Bay Company.
- Identify at least two cultural groups employed by the Hudson’s Bay Company.
- Consider the value of at least three products produced by the Hudson’s Bay Company.
Learning Standards
Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements Social Studies: Geography 2.2, 3.3; Social Studies: History 1.2, 1.3, 2.0; Social Studies: Economics 1.2, 2.2; Social Studies: Skills 3.1.1; Social Studies Curriculum Based Assessment Connections: Cultural Contributions; Science 3.1, 3.2
Oregon State Common Curricular Goals Social Sciences: Geography, History, Economics, Analysis
Hands-On Program: Pieces of the Past
Grade Level: 4–12
Length: 75 Minutes
Additional Requirements: Closed-toed shoes are required. No sandals.
Key Concept
Archaeologists and historians use artifacts, oral histories and journal entries to learn about the past. Historical sites are dependent on this continuing research in order to develop programs, publications and media for the public.
Description of Experience
Imagining that they are in charge of rebuilding the fort that was destroyed over 140 years ago, students will look for clues in the archaeological and historical record regarding the appearance of one of the fort’s buildings, who lived there, and what type of activities occurred in the house. Through this process, students will learn about life at the fort in the 1840s.
Goals
As a result of this experience, students will be able to:
- Understand how to construct a reasonable interpretation of the past using evidence.
- Evaluate the reasons for a conclusion about events in history.
Objectives
During the experience, students will:
- Interpret primary documents to reach conclusions.
- Apply social science tools to answer questions about the past.
Learning Standards
Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements Social Studies: History 1.2; Social Studies: Skills 1.1, 3.1; Social Studies Curriculum Based Assessment Connections: Dig Deep
Oregon State Common Curricular Goals Social Sciences: History, Analysis
Hands-On Program: School of the Soldier
Grade Level: 4–12
Length: 75 Minutes
Key Concept
A century and a half of US Army presence at Vancouver Barracks has assured that the military played a vital role in the security of the Oregon Trail and the development of the Pacific Northwest. Throughout the 19th century, over half the US Army was foreign-born.
Description of Experience
Students will be introduced to the life of a frontier soldier during the Indian Wars era (1865–1892). Students will view and discuss a typical camp set up with cooking area, sleeping area, haversack and its contents, personal equipment and weapons. They may view, handle (except weapons) and ask questions about these items. Students will then set up a wedge tent, similar to those used by the frontier Army. The class will observe the Indian War era Manual of Arms drill, which will include the blank firing of a replica of the M1873 Springfield “Trapdoor” rifle and/or Colt “Peacemaker” .45 revolver.
Goals
As a result of the experience, students will be able to:
- Understand and analyze how the military caused change in Washington and Oregon history.
Objectives
During the experience, students will:
- Interpret the life of a typical soldier garrisoned at Vancouver Barracks.
- Explain the multi-faceted role of the US Army in the West.
- Construct a camp shelter (tent).
Learning Standards
Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements Social Studies: History 1.2; Social Studies: Civics 3.2; Washington State Curriculum Based Assessment Connections: Dig Deep
Oregon State Common Curricular Goals Social Sciences: Geography, History, Civics & Government
Individual Group Tour
Grade Level: 3–12
Length: 60 Minutes
Key Concept
The Hudson's Bay Company was instrumental in the development of Euro-American culture in the Pacific Northwest.
Description of Experience
After an introduction to the Fort, students are taken on a guided tour through three buildings. At each building the guide describes the activities which took place in the building, and the private and professional lives of the Hudson's Bay Company employees. After the tour, groups are welcome to visit any of the site’s other buildings, including the Bake House, Blacksmith Shop, Carpenter Shop, Jail, Bastion, Hospital/Barclay Quarters and Counting House on a self-guided basis. A teacher’s self-guided tour binder is available.
Goals
As a result of the experience, students will be able to:
- Understand and analyze how the Hudson's Bay Company caused change in Northwest history.
Objectives
During the experience, students will:
- Consider the pros and cons of various professions.
- Understand what daily life was like for the Hudson's Bay Company employees working at the fort.
Learning Standards
Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements Social Studies: History 1.2, 2.2; Social Studies: Economics 1.2; Social Studies: Skills 3.1; Washington State Curriculum Based Assessment Connections: Meeting Needs and Wants
Oregon State Common Curricular Goals Social Sciences: Geography, History, Economics, Analysis
Fixed Station Tour
Grade Level: 4
Length: 90 Minutes
Key Concept
The products and services provided by diverse cultural groups at Fort Vancouver enabled immigrants to successfully settle the Oregon country.
Description of Experience
The fixed station tours are a 1.5 hour tour designed to accommodate four classes. Classes rotate through different buildings. In each building a guide presents a 10 minute program on the lives of the employees who lived or worked there, and how their activities helped American settlers. The bell is rung and the students rotate to the next building. Groups rotate between different fort buildings, which may include the Blacksmith Shop, the Chief Factor’s House, the Fur Store and the Indian Trade Shop.
Goals
As a result of the experience, students will be able to:
- Describe the contributions of people of various cultural groups to the development of the Pacific Northwest.
Objectives
During the experience, students will:
- Understand that individuals representing many cultures were employed at Fort Vancouver.
- Recognize the class structure at Fort Vancouver.
- Consider the significance of the products and services provided at Fort Vancouver in helping the Americans in their settlement of the area.
Learning Standards
Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements Social Studies: Geography 2.0, 3.3; Social Studies: History 1.0, 2.0; Social Studies: Economics 1.2, 2.2; Social Studies: Skills 3.1.1f; Washington State Curriculum Based Assessment Connections: Cultural Contributions, What’s the Big Idea?, Dig Deep, Meeting Needs and Wants, Cultural Interactions
Oregon State Common Curricular Goals Social Sciences: Geography, History, Economics, and Analysis; Science; Math
Visitor Center Challenge
Grade Level: 4
Length: 60 Minutes
Key Concept
Fort Vancouver played a crucial role in Northwest history.
Description of Experience
Individuals, events, and processes are examined through static exhibits and video in the Visitor’s Center.
Goals
As a result of this experience, students will be able to:
- Understand and analyze how groups and individuals made economic choices historically.
- Understand and analyze how groups and individuals caused change in Northwest history.
Objectives
During the experience, students will:
- Interpret static exhibits to answer questions about the economy at Fort Vancouver.
- Examine the importance of Fort Vancouver as an historic site.
Learning Standards
Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements Social Studies: Geography 2.2, 3.3; Social Studies: History 1.2, 1.3, 2.0; Social Studies: Economics 1.2, 2.2; Social Studies: Skills 3.1.1; Social Studies Curriculum Based Assessment Connection: Cultural Contributions; Science 3.1, 3.2
Oregon State Common Curricular Goals Social Sciences: Geography, History, Economics, Analysis
