Rollin on the river: The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation

Students will learn about the history and importance of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System to the Arkansas River Valley and to the state as a whole. They will also become aware of the builders and caretakers of the System—the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. From class discussion and mapping the McClellan-Kerr System, students will learn how a lock and dam works and the three major benefits of the project today: navigation, flood control, and recreation.

Lesson Plan

Courtesy of CALS Butler Center for Arkansas Studies

Grade Level:5-8 Middle School
Time period: Early 20th Century 1901-1940

Arkansas Academic Standards are subject to revision every six years by the Arkansas Department of Education. The frameworks used in the majority of lesson plans on the Arkansas History Hub are from the 2006 Social Studies Frameworks and the 2007 Arkansas History Amendments and School Library Media Frameworks.

G.1., G.1.5.6, G.1.5.9, G.1.6.4, G.1.6.6, G.1.AH.7-8.1, G.1.AH.7-8.2, G.1.AH.7-8.3, G.1.AH.7-8.5, G.1.AH.9-12.2, G.1.AH.9-12.3, G.1.AH.9-12.4, G.1.AH.9-12.5, G.3.6.1, G.3.6.7, GD.8.AH.7-8.1, GD.8.AH.9-12.1, WWP.9.AH.7-8.5, WWP.9.AH.9-12.5, WWP.9.AH.9-12.7