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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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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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 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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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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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 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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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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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?
Students consider the backgrounds of those who settled the Old West. In this Westward Expansion lesson plan, students participate in a simulation that requires them to role play miners, ranchers, Native Americans, Chinese, African...
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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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West Virginia: Reading Comprehension
In this West Virginia reading comprehension worksheet, 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
For this American West worksheet, 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.
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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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Mail, Migration, and Myth in the American West
Students explore communication methods in the American West. In this History of the American West lesson, students discover facts and myths about the time period and the methods of communication used in the 19th century. Students...
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The Wild, Wild West
Sixth graders research the history of the transcontinental railroad. They use advertising propaganda techniques to design and create a poster encouraging people to explore the West by rail.
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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 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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Going Westward: Getting Ready, On the Trail and Settling the Claim
Third graders work in small "family" groups. They participate in a group discussion about reasons people were moving west, and the finality of leaving home. They look at maps of the west and a pioneer travel guide. The families 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...
