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Wagons West
Students prepare to travel west. In this Westward Movement lesson, students participate in classroom activities that require them to prepare for a trip west as pioneers.
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The People of Kansas: Who Are They and Why Are They Here?
Students examine the settlement patterns of the Kansas Territory. In this Kansas history lesson, students analyze primary documents from the pioneers in the territory. Students write letters or perform skits that feature their findings.
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Discovering the Oregon Trail
Students explore U.S. history by researching the Oregon Trail. In this American exploration lesson plan, students read the story On the Shore of the River and define the exact path early settlers took to find the state of Oregon....
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Wagon's West
Students travel to the American West. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students discuss the Oregon Trail and then play the computer game of the same title. Students take on the roles of those who travelled the trail.
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Lewis and Clark Expedition
Pupils examine the effect of the Lewis and Clark Expedition on Native American nations. In this Native American history lesson, students research Internet sources to find out how the expedition impacted Native Americans of the West.
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Westward Expansion and the War with Mexico
Students evaluate primary sources to develop their own opinions about Westward Expansion. In this Manifest Destiny instructional activity, students examine and respond to questions about Gast's painting titled American Progress Students...
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The Growth of the United States
In this westward expansion worksheet, students fill out a graphic organizer of predictions and short answers of how land was acquired in the United States. Students do this for 6 land territories.
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Fugitive Slave Act and Western Expansion
In this U.S. history worksheet, students read articles about the Fugitive Slave Act and Western expansion. Students then respond to 14 short answer questions regarding the articles.
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Manifest Destiny
In this Westward Expansion worksheet, students read assigned textbook pages which describe Manifest Destiny and respond to 33 short answer questions.
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The Settlers are Coming, but the Natives are Here
Students examine interactions between Native Americans and settlers. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students participate in a classroom simulation and then write paper about how the Native Americans and settlers could keep the...
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Wagons West
Students examine life on westward trails. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students analyze textbook passages about life on the Oregon Trail and the motivations of the people who settled Oregon.
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Wagons West: Native Americans
Students examine interactions between Native Americans and settlers. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students analyze select passages from Plains Indians by Dana Newmann and The World of Native Americans by Marion Wood. Students...
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Manifest Destiny
Students identify the implications of Manifest Destiny. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students view a PowerPoint presentation on the topic and then respond to questions based on the details of the presentation.
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Whats so Different Between Them
Students evaluate primary sources. In this Westward Expansion lesson plan, students will write essays that compare and contrast the differences and similarities between pioneers and Native Americans. Students will engage in a wide...
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Westward Expansion: Links to the Past
Young scholars investigate the impact of Manifest Destiny. In this California history lesson, students conduct research on the settlement of the state between 1849 and 1900. Young scholars use their findings to create scripts that link...
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Wounded Knee Massacre
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students examine sources regarding the Battle of Wounded Knee from the perspective of Lakota fighters and American...
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Westward Ho
Middle schoolers examine primary sources regarding Western migration. For this Manifest Destiny lesson, students determine why the pioneers moved west and what the trip was like as they examine sources and write journals based on their...
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Lesson: The U.S. Westward Movement
Learners research the U.S. Westward movement. In this U.S. history lesson, students research the topic, complete a creative writing activity for the lesson, and a design activity for the lesson.
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Who is Who in the Old West?
Learners consider the backgrounds of those who settled the Old West. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students participate in a simulation that requires them to role play miners, ranchers, Native Americans, Chinese, African Americans,...
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This Land is my Land-Westward Expansion During Reconstruction
Students analyze policies regarding Native American territories during Westward Expansion. In this Reconstruction lesson, students research primary and secondary sources pertaining to the transfer of Native American land. Students take...
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Leaving Home for the West - Why?
Students examine primary sources regarding American movement to the west. In this westward expansion lesson, students create broadside posters based on the Homestead Act primary sources they research.
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Lewis and Clark: Meeting the Indians of the Northwest
Eighth graders examine the relationships forged with Native Americans by Lewis and Clark. In this Westward Expansion lesson, 8th graders research digital and print sources to study details regarding the Native American tribes that Lewis...
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East Meets West: Americans on the Move
Learners examine the settlement of the Louisiana Territory. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students watch segments of the Discovery video "East Meets West: Americans on the Move". Learners conduct further research pertaining to the...
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Guardians of the West
Eighth graders discover the role of American buffalo in Westward Expansion. In this Westward Expansion lesson, 8th graders examine primary and secondary sources in order to create a cause and effect chart that features the treatment of...