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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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Manifest Destiny
Students explore the concept of manifest destiny as practiced in the 1840s. They discuss how contemporary maps of the 1840s influenced United States expansion in the 1840s and analyze the relationship between manifest destiny and democracy.
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The Homestead Act of 1862
Students, in groups, study the Homestead Act. Each group studies a region of the country in the 1840s: the North, the South, and the West. Ask each group to research and write their region's position on the homestead issue.
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The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Learners examine journals and documents to investigate Lewis and Clark's explorations and how they relate to the concept of Manifest Destiny. They consider the impact of modern civilization to some of the areas Lewis and Clark wrote about.
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Skagway: Gateway to the Klondike
Students explore the impact of the Klondike Gold Rush on the development of Skagway, Alaska. Lesson can be used in units on western expansion, late 19th and early 20th-century commerce, and urban history.
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Which Side Would You Be On?
Fourth graders describe how the French and Indian War resulted in expansion of United States Territory and analyze information from two or more sources for agreements, contradictions, facts, and opinions.
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An Orderly Wagon Train Migration
Sixth graders work in small groups to organize a wagon train for a trek westward. They determine leadership responsibilities and rules needed to make a successful trek.
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The Brief American Pageant: Forging the National Economy 1790-1860
Presented here is a series of maps showing demographics, expansions routes, and economic hot spots of the late 1700's. No text is available to reference, but it is likely that this slide show is meant to accompany a Houghton Mifflin high...
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Bible Lesson: Wagons West
Students debate whether manifest destiny is right or wrong. For this manifest destiny lesson, students discuss the westward movement and the role of manifest destiny as they focus on the Native Americans. Students view the...
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Manifest Destiny Questions
In this Westward Expansion worksheet, students respond to 7 short answer questions about America's vision of Manifest Destiny and its effects.
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History of the Americas: Causes of the Civil War
In this American Civil War activity, students read assigned textbook pages about the causes of the war and then respond to 35 short answer questions about how the war began.
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Wagon's West: Life on the Trail
Students investigate what life on the Oregon Trail was like. In this Westward Movement lesson, students eat foods that were eaten by settlers on the trail as they read textbook pages about the trial. Students then draw an Oregon Trail...
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The Grand Adventure of Lewis and Clark
Students take a closer look at the Lewis and Clark expedition. In this Louisiana Purchase lesson, students discover tools used by the men as they explored the land. Students also read excerpts from The Incredible Journey and America...
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Trails to the West
Eighth graders research American history of the 1850's. In this American history lesson plan, 8th graders write about how different American groups looked at the idea of Manifest Destiny. Students then draw the Oregon and Santa Fe...
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Wagons West
Students prepare to travel west. In this Westward Movement instructional activity, students participate in classroom activities that require them to prepare for a trip west as pioneers.
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The People of Kansas: Who Are They and Why Are They Here?
Students examine the settlement patterns of the Kansas Territory. In this Kansas history lesson, students analyze primary documents from the pioneers in the territory. Students write letters or perform skits that feature their findings.
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Cattle Drive Research
Students research the live of cowboys in 18th Century America. For this cattle drive lesson, students locate a variety of online resources and take notes. Students compile notes and write a brief report.
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Wagon's West
Students travel to the American West. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students discuss the Oregon Trail and then play the computer game of the same title. Students take on the roles of those who travelled the trail.
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Lewis and Clark Expedition
Students examine the effect of the Lewis and Clark Expedition on Native American nations. In this Native American history instructional activity, students research Internet sources to find out how the expedition impacted Native Americans...
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Westward Expansion and the War with Mexico
Learners evaluate primary sources to develop their own opinions about Westward Expansion. For this Manifest Destiny lesson, students examine and respond to questions about Gast's painting titled American Progress Learners research how...
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The Growth of the United States
In this westward expansion worksheet, students fill out a graphic organizer of predictions and short answers of how land was acquired in the United States. Students do this for 6 land territories.
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Fugitive Slave Act and Western Expansion
In this U.S. history worksheet, students read articles about the Fugitive Slave Act and Western expansion. Students then respond to 14 short answer questions regarding the articles.
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Manifest Destiny
For this Westward Expansion worksheet, students read assigned textbook pages which describe Manifest Destiny and respond to 33 short answer questions.
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The Settlers are Coming, but the Natives are Here
Students examine interactions between Native Americans and settlers. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students participate in a classroom simulation and then write paper about how the Native Americans and settlers could keep the...