The Fur Trapping Simulation is one of my students' favorite memories from fourth grade! Students collect fur cards, make trades, and understand elements of the fur trade in Idaho. They work for fur companies and have specific roles to perform during the three-round game. The team that collects the most beaver pelts wins!
 
YOU DO NOT have to teach in Idaho to enjoy this resource and simulation. This lesson covers 4th-grade standards about the Fur Trade and includes activities and readings that will add value to any state's curriculum.
 
Use this 4th-grade Idaho history lesson about the Fur Trade in so many ways!
✅ Introduce the Fur Trade with the lesson postcard.
✅ Invite students to read about the Fur Trade and respond to questions.
✅ Complete the project, game, or simulation that comes with the lesson.
✅ Check students’ skills using differentiated assessments.
✅ Challenge students to complete the Idaho History Mystery and earn a badge!
 
Included in this 4th-grade Idaho history lesson about the Fur Trade:
✏️ Set the Stage: Postcard
Engage students at the beginning of the lesson and present the mystery.
✏️ Introduction: Read All About It!
Students can read about the Fur Trade and respond to questions. Introduce educational materials for the lesson and review resources from the Recommended Supplemental Materials section.
✏️Engage - Fur Trade Advertisement
Students can design from a blank slate or use the additional prompts page. See Fur Trade Advertisement for Teachers.
✏️Engage - Fur Trapping Simulation
Bring a bit of play and competition to your classroom with this fun simulation! View the preview for details.
✏️ Show What You Know: Assessments
Invite students to show what they have learned about Idaho History through a differentiated assessment. Customize the learning environment for gifted learners and students who need additional support.
✏️ Earn a Badge: Mystery
Students complete one “Escape Room-Style” mystery at the end of each lesson. They check their answer on Google Forms or with the teacher’s answer key and color a badge on their Idaho state page!
✏️ Answer Keys
 
Hear about the 4th-Grade Idaho History Bundle from educators like you!
⭐️ “I love how all the lessons are tied together as a journey. My daughter loved getting the postcards and earning the badges with each lesson, coloring them, and putting them up on the poster. I love how easy it is to print the lessons and just go. I also appreciated that it's not ‘just’ worksheets, but also incorporates learning games and activities that also take no prep and are fun and engaging for a reluctant learner.”
⭐️ “This resource was fun and easy to use. My 3rd and 4th-grade kids loved solving the mysteries and earning badges.”
⭐️ “I have really enjoyed using these planned-out printables to explore Idaho with my kiddo from our home. I have loved the project ideas and the worksheets included.”
⭐️ “This is the exact resource I was looking for to bring our old Idaho History textbooks to life. The resources follow the units in our textbooks, but puts a fun and exciting twist on it.”
⭐️ “This is a tremendous and engaging resource that pairs exceptionally with The Idaho Adventure.”
⭐️ “These are GREAT! I love using these to follow along with the Idaho History curriculum we use!”
 
Bonus Products in the BUNDLE:
Student-sized badge page
Classroom badge poster (17” x 22” prints on 4 sheets of paper)
2 Printable pages of all 18 badges
✂️ Display lesson postcards around the poster for a focus-wall bulletin board!
 
Find answers to your questions about this Idaho State History Social Studies Lesson:
✋ Do I need a specific textbook to use this resource?
No. The activities can all stand alone. I have added chapters from the Idaho Adventure Textbook on one “suggested extra resources” page, but none of the activities rely on this textbook. 
✋ Do I have to live in Idaho to find value in this social studies lesson about the Fur Trade?
No. This lesson aligns with Idaho Social Studies Content Standards but many of these topics are also taught in other states.
 
#mbcreations #mbcreations4education #idahohistory