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The Road to California - A Journey to Freedom
Students complete a Web quest about Biddy Mason's journey Westward to California as a slave and her ultimate rise to one of the wealthiest and generous woman of the Westward Movement. They present an exhibit of their research.
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Westmoreland Trail
Seventh graders complete a unit of lessons on the Westward expansion of the U.S. They play the computer game, Oregon Trail III, read primary source documents, conduct Internet research, write diary entries from the pioneer viewpoint, and...
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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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Music and Tall Tales
Students examine how cowboys lives have changed over the years. They also explore what a tall tale is and create their own.
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Food
Students examine the types of foods eaten after the Civil War. They create their own cowboy style menu.
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Manifest Destiny
High schoolers 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...
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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
Students 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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Transcontinental Railroad
Eleventh graders explain the development of the American West following the Civil War. They also explore the Homestead Act of 1862 and the Pacific Railway Act of 1862. They also participate in a simulation about the American West.
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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. In this manifest destiny instructional activity, students discuss the westward movement and the role of manifest destiny as they focus on the Native Americans. Students view...
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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
For this American Civil War worksheet, 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 plan, students eat foods that were eaten by settlers on the trail as they read textbook pages about the trial. Students then draw an Oregon...
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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 instructional activity, 8th graders write about how different American groups looked at the idea of Manifest Destiny. Students then draw the Oregon and...
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Wagons West
Students prepare to travel west. In this Westward Movement lesson, 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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Discovering the Oregon Trail
Students explore U.S. history by researching the Oregon Trail. In this American exploration lesson plan, students read the story On the Shore of the River and define the exact path early settlers took to find the state of Oregon....
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Cattle Drive Research
Students research the live of cowboys in 18th Century America. In 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.