Lesson Ideas

Inquiry Tasks

• Ask students to explore the goals and achievements of a unique military regiment known as the Buffalo Soldiers, using the classroom-ready presentation published by O.C.S.S.  Identify characteristics of this regiment and why such characteristics would have been admired by American Indians who encountered these soldiers? Why should these soldiers be commemorated in our state's history? Ask students to assume the role of a Buffalo Soldier who has retired from duty and compose a letter to his grandchildren. Remind students to include details regarding his experiences during military service. 

• Introduce students to selected examples of military commitment and leadership demonstrated by Oklahomans, using the classroom presentation, Military Leaders and Heroes.  Ask students if they have family members who have served in the military and provide an opportunity for students to share their personal stories of family military heroes. Ask students to work in pairs, selecting one military leader or group on servicemen identified in the presentation. Allow time for students to create an online children's book depicting the story of their hero, using such student-friendly apps as StoryJumper (which provides translated versions in several languages for sharing with bi-lingual family members.)

Primary Sources 

Secondary Sources 

• The 9th Cavalry from the National Parks Services, provides biographies of four servicemen who served in Indian Territory as part of the Buffalo Soldiers.

• The 45th Infantry is a special online exhibit produced for student investigations by the Oklahoma Historical Society.   

• OK Moments: Fort Gibson is an OETA videoclip noting the role of the military and posts built in early Indian Territory.

• Indian Codetalkers Biography provides a short narrative about the group's unique military service. 

• Admiral Crowe Biography offers a brief reading about the service of Oklahoma native, with accompanying reflective questions.