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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

National Expansion

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the Manifest Denstiny. They explore how the idea was evident in 19th century American maps. Students brainstorm the relationships between maps and national expansion. They review a map from 1816 that called for...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners explore the economic, political, racial, and religious roots of Manifest Destiny. They read articles and analyze how the concept influenced the nation's westward expansion. Students discover the motivations and expectations of...
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Lesson Plan
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Smithsonian Institution

Two Perspectives on the Battle of Little Bighorn/Greasy Grass

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Learners understand why historians conduct research and the importance of perception when it comes to studying history. The resource covers The Wars of Expansion and the Battle of Little Bighorn/Greasy Grass through group work, debate,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Road to California - A Journey to Freedom

For Teachers K - 5th
Young scholars complete a Web quest about Biddy Mason's journey Westward to California as a slave and her ultimate rise to one of the wealthiest and generous woman of the Westward Movement. They present an exhibit of their research.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Westward Expansion: Links to the Past

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the impact of Manifest Destiny. In this California history lesson, students conduct research on the settlement of the state between 1849 and 1900. Students use their findings to create scripts that link primary...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pioneer America: Legendary Westerners - Can One Person Really Make a Difference?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research famous Americans from the Westward Movement and complete an interview. In this Westward Movement lesson, 4th graders work in pairs to research someone who was important during this time period. They prepare and...
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Lesson Plan
PBS

African-Americans in the American West

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Secondary learners explore the westward movement of African Americans. Segmented into four time periods, the lesson plan provides an overview of how African Americans experienced westward expansion. Learners view PBS specials on the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Pioneer America

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research pioneers who had a strong influence on westward expansion. For this westward expansion lesson, 4th graders write an essay about four pioneers and an interview script about one. Students work in pairs to present...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Whose Manifest Destiny?

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students examine the Westward expansion. For this North American settlers lesson, students will view a PowerPoint presentation and answer critical thinking questions. Students will write an essay that analyzes the impact of westward...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dangers of the West

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore the American West. For this Westward Expansion lesson, 8th graders examine primary sources to investigate the dangers travelling to and settling in the American West. Students design brochures that would help those...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moving West

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students research the Westward Movement and struggles encountered by the pioneers as they moved from Nebraska, Westward along the Oregon Trail. In this Westward Expansion activity, students read an Oregon Trail poem and visit 5 different...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Economic Choices for Exploring the Fronteir

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explain the hardship of economic limitations in Westward Expansion . They describe the effects of fluctuations in supply and demand. They put themselves in the place of pioneers hoping to build a homestead.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bison on the Plains

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore U.S. geography by reading assigned text about American Indians. In this migration lesson, 5th graders identify the differences between Native Americans and European settlers who traveled through middle America in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Patty Reed's Doll: The Story of the DonnerParty

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore westward movement through eyes of doll belonging to Patty Reed, member of Donner Party. They write journal entries from points of view of characters in book, Patty Reed's Doll, participate in Pack the Wagon game, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Free Land

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students investigate the impact of the passage of the Homestead Act. In this Westward Expansion instructional activity, students visit selected websites to examine the lives of Americans who settled the American frontier.
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PPT
Curated OER

A Century of Expansion: America's Destiny (1763-1867)

For Teachers 10th - 11th
How did we grow into such a large nation? Follow the events, wars, and treaties that led to the acquisition of major states as we expanded into the West. The slides provide maps, dates, and simplistic information to help learners...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Wild, Wild West, or Was It?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the American West. In this Westward Expansion lesson, 5th graders examine the opportunities that the West offered American pioneers. Students watch a montage video and analyze primary documents regarding the topic.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

AIH-5: Westward Expansion

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research how the westward expansion affected the American Indians.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Impact of Westward Expansion on Indigenous Populations

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study the impact of westward expansion on Native American populations. They create a diorama of a Native American scene, write imaginary letters as a pioneer child reflecting on his/her experiences, and create story sticks that...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Westward Expansion

For Students 4th - 6th
In this westward expansion worksheet, students read and assess comprehension. In this short answer, matching, and timeline worksheet, students write answers to twenty-five questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In the Footprints of Lewis and Clark: 19th Century Artists -- Depictions of Native Americans

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders read excerpts of "Undaunted Courage" by Stephen Ambrose. As a class, they view slides of artwork from the time period of westward expansion and Native Americans, write their reactions and share them with the class. To...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Transcontinental Railroad Web Quest

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine aspects of the Transcontinental Railroad. For this Westward Expansion lesson, students conduct a web-quest in order to gather information about the Transcontinental Railroad. Students will use their information to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Manifest Destiny

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore the definition of 'Manifest Destiny' and its importance to Westward Expansion.  In this U.S. History lesson, 11th graders work in small groups to write an essay that explains 'Manifest Destiny.'
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Analysis of the Diary of Narcissa Whitman

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore the West through the eyes of a settler. In this Westward Expansion lesson plan, 7th graders read excerpts from the diary of Narcissa Whitman as she journeyed West from Pennsylvania. Students respond to critical...

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