Lesson Plan

Whose Manifest Destiny? Westward Expansion

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This Whose Manifest Destiny? Westward Expansion lesson plan also includes:

Your land is my land! Young historians investigate the concept of Manifest Destiny used by the United States government to justify western expansion. Jigsaw groups read primary source documents to gain an understanding of the movement and its impact on others, including Native Americans and Chinese immigrants. After sharing their expertise, individuals craft a two-voice poem representing a conversation between two narratives they studied.

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Instructional Ideas
  • Preview Mark Twain's comments before the lesson and consider the impact of the article on Asian pupils
  • Save copying costs and load the primary source materials on student devices
  • Present the lesson during November's Native American Heritage Month
Classroom Considerations
  • Requires copies and projection for the "American Progress" painting
Pros
  • Includes a rubric for the two-voice poem
  • Primary source materials are available in both English and Spanish
Cons
  • None