Curated OER
The West: US History
In this U.S. history activity, students read assigned textbook pages that tell the story of Westward Expansion and respond to 35 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Finding the West
Students question the idea of a geographic space called 'the West.' They first examine a map of the United States and hypothesize what region constitutes the West, then read two passages that critically discuss the notion of a geographic...
PBS
Pbs the West: The Nez Perce and the Dawes Act
This companion article from the PBS series, "New Perspectives on the West," offers a lesson plan which approaches the Dawes Act from the perspective of the Nez Perce.
Other
Pony Express: History of the Pony Express
Read about the beginnings of the Pony Express, the requirements to be a rider, and find out why this mail delivery system ended.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: The Wounded Knee Massacre
This collection uses primary sources to explore the Wounded Knee Massacre.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source: Patronage/populism: Politics of Gilded Age
This collection uses primary sources to explore the politics of the Gilded Age.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: When Miners Strike: West Virginia Coal Mining Labor History
This collection uses primary sources to explore coal mining and labor in West Virginia.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: The Homestead Acts
This collection uses primary sources to explore the Homestead Acts.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: The West, the Gilded and the Gritty: America, 1870 1912
Four nineteenth-century landscape paintings that suggest the meaning of the West in American life.
Digital History
Digital History: The Sections [Pdf]
Soon after the end of the Revolutionary War, the characteristics of the various parts of the new United States established themselves. Find out about the sectionalism, economy, and needs in the country in the early 1800s--the...
Read Works
Read Works: Heading West
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about every-day life for American pioneers. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in comparing and contrasting.
Read Works
Read Works: Heading West: Learn About a Pioneer's Life
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about what life was like for pioneers. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Library of Congress
Loc: Teachers: Journeys West
A series of lessons utilizing primary texts, including narratives, photographs, and maps, through which young scholars explore the following question: "What motivated thousands of people to journey west during the 1800s?"
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Settling the West: Westward Expansion
During this lesson, students will have the opportunity to experience the westward expansion through literature and the Internet. By creating a brochure and a slideshow presentation, students will become aware of the difficulties people...
Other
A Gathering of Nations: Images of History of the Indian Tribes of North America
A selection of twenty-four images from The History of the Indian Tribes of North America, each representing a different Native American Nation. Each image is accompanied by a brief description.
Curated OER
Albert Bierstadt, Storm in the Mountains
Four nineteenth-century landscape paintings that suggest the meaning of the West in American life.