Westward Expansion Teacher Resources

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Writing
Curated OER

Moving West

For Students 5th - 8th
In this moving west worksheet, students complete a journal entry about why they would want to move west as a U.S. citizen during the 1800's. Students write it in the point of view of someone in the 1800's.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pioneer America: Journey West

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders experience pioneer life on the Oregon trail. For this pioneer lesson, 4th graders research the reasons for moving west and what life was like on the trail. They create a map, complete an oral presentation, and write about...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Westward Ho: The Difficulties of Emigrants Moving West

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students research the journey west of 19th century emigrants. In this pioneer lesson, students read the letters and diaries of a fictitious family traveling on the Oregon Trail. They mark their route on a US map, create a chart showing...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bud the Spud Moves West

For Teachers 9th - 12th
As part of a unit on Canadian agriculture, this focuses on how potato farms have increased in the west. Pupils participate in a discussion about the impact of consumer demand on production, and then they read an article about potato...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The American Revolution: Moving West and South

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine several letters to the editor from both a local newspaper and national newspapers. After reviewing current letters, they write a letter to the editor of an 18th-century newspaper expressing their opinion about the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Survival Challenge: Would You Make It?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students face a challenge. In this survival lesson, students discover the hardships faced by the pioneers who moved west and see if they would survive a similar situation. They discuss essential items they need to survive and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moving West With Pioneers

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders read a book written by Laura Ingalls Wilder to examine the hardships that were endured by pioneers traveling during the Westward Expansion of the US. They predict, summarize and participate in literature circles. They visit...
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Unit Plan
San Francisco Symphony

Going West

For Teachers K - 2nd
Now this sounds like a fun lesson! Youngsters learn about pioneer life and the Westward Movement. First, they listen to the Copland's "Appalachian Spring," and then they discuss the elements of music found in the piece. They get into...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oregon Trail Diary

For Teachers 5th - 11th
Students write a diary. In this writing and creativity lesson, students pretend they are moving west and keep a diary about their adventures. Students study real-life scenarios about families who made the trip out west before writing...
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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 lesson, students read an Oregon Trail poem and visit 5 different...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moving West!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners explore, explain and experience the importance of good character traits in everyday life by assessing the challenging journeys traveled on the Oregon Trail. They study the daily accounts of perseverance and courage along the trail.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mountain Vista

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students participate in a role play activity in which they play an American pioneer moving west. During the role play, they select an occupation and a town to live in. In groups, they use a map to determine the best route to arrive to...
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Website
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Smithsonian Institution

Eastern Indian Wars

For Students 5th - 12th Standards
Many know that Native Americans were forced off their lands and moved west, but how did these people react? The Red Sticks faction of the Creek nation opted to defend themselves and their lands in a series of wars called the Eastern...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Go West With Columbus

For Teachers K - 5th
Young scholars play a board game where their tokens must move Columbus west. They choose cards which give commands to move in a coordinate direction. They practice moving west, north, east, south by playing the game.
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PPT
Curated OER

The Railroads: The First Transcontinental Railroad

For Teachers 9th - 11th
The move West was greatly effected by the first transcontinental railroad. Present your class with well-organized information regarding major causes, players, and effects the railroad had on the face of an expanding America. Note: A...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Manifest Destiny

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the Manifest Destiny. They interpret quotations, study point of view in writing, research English words that derived from Mexico, and analyze reasons why settlers moved west. After writing journal entries in first-person...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African-Americans in California's Heartland

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read and view video about the pioneers moving west.  In this African American pioneer lesson, students become familiar with the problems faced by the pioneers and African-American pioneers. Students complete worksheets and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Americans and the Move West

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the phases of the migration west and analyze the incentives for African Americans to move.They create a timeline of migration to the west along with charts depicting the changes in demographics of areas at selected...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moving West with the Forts: Using an Interactive Map

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students discern a map of Texas and it's forts in the early to mid-1800's. From this map they analyze movement from the moment Texas became a state to its involvement in the Civil War.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Americans and the Move West

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the phases of westward migration in the United States during the 19th century focusing on the incentives that led many African Americans to make the move.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moving West with the Forts: Using an Interactive Map

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders practice reading maps and locating the forts stationed in Texas. Using the internet, they analyze westward movements from statehood to the Civil War. In groups, they complete a worksheet about the forts and share their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How the West was Won? Conflict and Change on the Western Frontier

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders assess the conflict and change that occurred in the westward expansion following the Civil War. They list specific reasons why different groups moved west and the interaction between the "white" European civilization and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Westward Ho

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine primary sources regarding Western migration. In 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 findings.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Party like its 1849

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore prairie life. In this Oregon Trail activity, students read literature regarding the move west and participate in cross-curricular activities. Students should take digital photographs of the participation in activities...

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