Westward Expansion - Influential People Teacher Resources
Find Westward Expansion - Influential People lesson plans and worksheets
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Postcards From the American West
Why did people move westward in the United States? Your young historians will examine the experiences of various groups on the American frontier, from a miner working near the Comstock Lode in Nevada, to an Apache chief from the...
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How the West Was One - Three x Four
While this lesson provides a motivating and interesting way to review the concept of the order of operations, it involves the use of software called How the West Was One + Three x Four. There are also other resources that are referenced,...
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The People of Kansas: Where did they come from and why did they come?
Students review census data to correlate to emigration in Kansas. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students analyze a painting and create definitions for emigration and discuss why people emigrate. Students read and analyze 1855 census...
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Pioneer America: Journey West
Fourth graders experience pioneer life on the Oregon trail. In 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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"West Side Story"
In this music history worksheet, students discover the musical "West Side Story" by first reading a summary of the plot. Students answer 5 questions about the story line. Students then read and analyze the lyrics to "America" and discuss...
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The Railroads: The First Transcontinental Railroad
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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The Forced Migration of Enslaved People 1810-1860
Slavery not only involved the forced migration of African people from their homes, it also meant the forced removal of people within the United States. Using data and interactive graphics, scholars see how the tragedy of human slavery...
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The Migrant Experience: The Great Depression
Packing up and moving west to California was a tough decision for farmers in during the Great Depression. Nine text-rich slides contains information separated into six main categories related to the migrant experience. They'll discuss,...
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Stories from the Panama Canal
The stories of the Silver People, the West Indies immigrants hired to work on the Panama Canal, come to life in a lesson about the building of the Panama Canal. Groups research why the canal was built, how it was build, the working...
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Eastern Indian Wars
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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What Brought Settlers to the Midwest?
Drawn by promises of fertile land, thousands of settlers poured West because of the Homestead Act of 1862. By examining images of the ads that drew them westward, learners consider the motivations for movement. They also consider how the...
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Bible Lesson: Wagons West
Students debate whether manifest destiny is right or wrong. In this manifest destiny lesson plan, students discuss the westward movement and the role of manifest destiny as they focus on the Native Americans. Students view the idea of...
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The New West: The Gold Rush
Take your class back to the New West and the times of the Gold Rush, with a great slide show. They'll find wonderful images and lots of easy-to-read informational text describing everything from boom towns to The Battle of Little Big...
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Manifest Destiny
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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Moving On
Read about Daniel Boone and his early years in a new land in Yadkin County, North Carolina. After reading, pupils respond to four comprehension questions that address the how and the why.
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Sunken Millions: The Way West
Recover sunken treasure with this interactive PowerPoint! Break your class into two teams: the divers and the surfers. They'll work together to answer 20 multiple choice questions, reviewing major events that occurred during the 1800s....
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The Mormons Come West
Discover why the Mormons traveled westward in this fascinating PowerPoint about their trail. Starting as east as New York and all the way to Utah, students discover the reasons behind the Mormons' footsteps. Tip: Ask students if other...
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If You Traveled West In A Covered Wagon
Fourth graders complete pre reading, writing, during reading, and interdisciplinary activities for the book If You Traveled West In A Covered Wagon. In this reading lesson plan, 4th graders complete journal entries, go over vocabulary,...
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The Wagon Ride West
Eighth graders travel the Oregon Trail. In this Manifest Destiny lesson, 8th graders determine why the pioneers moved west as they participate in a classroom activity that requires them to identify landmarks upon the route and deal with...
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How the West was Won? Conflict and Change on the Western Frontier
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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Who is Who in the Old West?
Young scholars consider the backgrounds of those who settled the Old West. For this Westward Expansion lesson, students participate in a simulation that requires them to role play miners, ranchers, Native Americans, Chinese, African...
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West Virginia: Reading Comprehension
In this West Virginia reading comprehension learning exercise, students read a 2-page selection regarding the state and then respond to 10 true or false questions
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The American West: Knowledge Test
In this American West instructional activity, students answer a total of 25 questions about The American West. Questions are short answer and "lists."
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The Wild, Wild West
Sixth graders explore the American West. In this American history lesson, 6th graders use propaganda to create a poster advertising the use of the Transcontinental Railroad to head West.
