Traveling Trunk

Charley's Trunk

Grade Level:
Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Subject:
Social Studies

Charley's Trunk, a companion to I Heard a Coyote Howl, tells the story of Charley, a twelve-year-old boy. Charley is the son of an Army officer who travels with his parents from Fort Riley to Fort Larned in 1867 at the time of the Army's attack on the Cheyenne-Sioux Indian village. Along the way, Charley acquires a number of keepsakes, which he stores in a trunk. In several ways, these artifacts help students to interpret the story in a concrete manner.

You may access photos of the items for the story on the Fort Larned website.

Materials

Download Charley's Trunk

Download Glossary

For background information on the Santa Fe Trail.

Download A Brief History of the Santa Fe Trail

Last updated: February 28, 2019