Curated OER
The Homestead Act of 1682
In this American West learning exercise, students read about the Homestead Act of 1682. Students read 8 paragraphs and complete the 3 activities for the learning exercise.
Curated OER
The American West - End of Unit Test
In these American West worksheets, students answer questions based on the American West unit. Students answer 23 questions about the unit.
Curated OER
American West: Indian Warpath Word Search
For this word search worksheet, students find the words that represent reasons why Native Americans were compelled to war during the history of the American West. Students locate 10 words.
Curated OER
The American West-Knowledge Test
In this American West worksheet, students complete a 24 questions test about the American West. Answers are included beneath questions on worksheet.
Curated OER
Lawlessness Word Search
In this word search learning exercise, students find the words related to lawlessness and the American West in the word search puzzle.
Curated OER
Plains Indians Word Search
In this word search instructional activity, students read the words related to the Plains Indians and the American West. Students locate the 13 words within the word search.
Curated OER
American West Tipi Anagrams
In this anagrams instructional activity, students rearrange the letters in the words to create words about tipi's and the American West. Students write 8 words.
Curated OER
Manifest Destiny
In these manifest destiny worksheets, students read the definition for manifest destiny and its appearance in America in the 1840s. Students learn about the Homestead Act and study a painting of a depiction of manifest destiny.
Curated OER
Buffalo Crosstick
In this American West worksheet, students read the 7 clues and write the words related to buffaloes and the American west into the puzzle.
Curated OER
Buffalo Hunt True and False
In this American West activity, students read the 10 clues about buffaloes and the American West. Students answer true or false for the related statements.
Curated OER
American West Crosstick
In this American West instructional activity, students complete the clues that relate to the American West, Mormon settlements, and the creation of railways. Students write the 7 words in the horizontal boxes and then read the word...
Curated OER
The Mormons Crossword
In this crossword puzzle worksheet, students read the clues related to the American West and the Mormon settlements. Students complete the puzzle with 8 words about Mormons.
Curated OER
American West
In this US history worksheet, 4th graders focus on words associated with the American West. Students must rearrange 16 words to create new vocabulary associated with this particular time era.
Curated OER
American West Anagram
In this anagram learning exercise, students unscramble the anagram activity to identify words related to the American West. Students unscramble 16 words.
Curated OER
Ride 'Em Cowboy (Buffalo Bill Cody and the Wild West Show)
Young scholars research the impact of Buffalo Bill Cody and his Wild West Show on the world's view of American western culture. They create a poster advertising the Wild West Show.
Curated OER
Making A New Nation
Eighth graders read standard road maps and topographical maps, and examine the lives of pathfinders who opened the trails to the West. They develop Living History presentations, role-playing a character from the past.
Curated OER
National Park Service: American Visionaries: Thomas Moran
This online exhibit features the works of landscape artist Thomas Moran, whose paintings inspired the creation of Yellowstone Park in 1916. A gallery of images of his paintings is included.
Library of Congress
Loc: Photographs of the Detroit Publishing Company: 1880 1920
An online collection of historical and archival photographs from the Detroit Publishing Company that show American life, industry, agriculture, and more from this period of rapid change.
PBS
Pbs the West: Charles Goodnight
Charles Goodnight (1836-1929) was one of the most prosperous cattleman of the American West. Read a thorough biography about him here at this site.
PBS
Pbs: Archives of the West: The Life and Adventures of Buffalo Bill
Read the version of Buffalo Bill Cody's autobiography, from this text originally published in 1917. Presented as html text chapter by chapter, it makes interesting reading.
PBS
Pbs: Archives of the West: Songs of the Plains a Selection of Cowboy Folk Songs
Explore the lyrics of five cowboy songs from 1860's and 1870's.
Other
Denver Public Library: History of the American West
This massive archive holds more than 30,000 photographs detailing life in the American West from 1860 to 1940. Easy to use it can be searched by key word, topic,or a name index.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: America's History in the Making: Taming the American West
Comprehensive teaching unit that explores the settling of the American West in the late 1800s and the challenges these settlers faced. Contains video and text materials, web interactives, student oriented activities, and a timeline of...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: America's History in the Making: Contested Territories
This site highlights the westward expansion of settlers in North America and the effects this expansion had on Native Americans between the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.