Lesson Plan
US Mint

U.s. Mint: Our Goal Pole [Pdf]

For Teachers K - 1st
For this four-part lesson, students will demonstate knowledge of the sequencing of events by studying the westward journey, use terms that indicate the sequence of events and demonstrate an understanding of certain historical figures in...
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Gold in California

For Students 5th - 8th
The gold rush in California accelerated the western migration of thousands of young American men, who streamed into California to find riches. See who else arrived in California and find out what they did. In addition, there is a map...
Handout
PBS

Pbs: The West: Frederick Jackson Turner (1861 1932)

For Students 9th - 10th
This PBS website provides a brief biographical sketch of Frederick Jackson Turner, and an overview of his theory regarding the significance of the American western frontier as the defining experience in the development of the American...
Handout
Other

The Great Plains in Midwestern Culture

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the history of the people on the Great Plains, both the Native Americans and early settlers.
Primary
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Frederick Jackson Turner

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Fordham University contains the introductory text of "The Significance of the Frontier in American History, 1893" by Frederick Jackson Turner.
Article
Other

Global Security: 54 40 or Fight

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the significant territorial changes that took place in the United States under the presidency of James K. Polk. These included the annexation of Texas, the settling of the dispute with Great Britain over claims to Oregon...
Study Guide
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Ap Us History History Unit: Period 6: 1865 1898: Unit Test

For Students 9th - 10th
This unit practice test from Khan Academy covers Period 6: 1865-1898 in American History. Western expansion, the Gilded Age, and the "New South" are components of this unit test. This resource is designed as a review for the AP US...
Unknown Type
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Ap Us History Unit: Period 6: 1865 1898: Unit Test

For Students 9th - 10th
This practice exercise from Khan Academy covers Period 6: 1865-1898 in American History. The Gilded Age, Western expansion, and the "New South" are included in the practice. This resource is designed as a review for the AP US History Test.
Website
PBS

Pbs: New Perspectives on the West

For Students 9th - 10th
This in-depth resource presents a history of the American West from pre-Columbian times until World War I with profiles, documents, and images. It encourages visitors to link these into patterns of historical meaning for themselves....
Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: John Tyler

For Students 9th - 10th
Facts, biography, and accomplishments of the life of John Tyler and summaries of important events during his presidency.
Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: James K Polk

For Students 9th - 10th
Facts, biography, and accomplishments of the life of James Polk and summaries of important events during his presidency.
Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: Zachary Taylor

For Students 9th - 10th
Facts, biography, and accomplishments of the life of Zachary Taylor and summaries of important events during his presidency.
Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: Homestead Act

For Students 9th - 10th
The purpose of the Homestead Act of 1862 was to shape the future of the Western regions of the United States by taming the region by populating the area with farmers. This article provides an overview of this important political incident...
Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: Teachers: Journeys West

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A series of lessons utilizing primary texts, including narratives, photographs, and maps, through which students explore the following question: "What motivated thousands of people to journey west during the 1800s?"
Interactive
Other

Mission Us: Mission 3: A Cheyenne Odyssey

For Students 3rd - 8th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Online game where players become Little Fox, a Northern Cheyenne boy whose life is changed by the encroachment of white settlers, railroads, and U.S. military expeditions. As buffalo diminish and the...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Manifest Destiny

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars will learn about the ideology of Manifest Destiny and how it affected different populations and demographics of the U.S. during its expansion.
Unit Plan
Have Fun With History

Have Fun With History: American West

For Students 9th - 10th
Learning module with videos and multi-media resources for students and teachers exploring the west and the pioneering spirit of America in 1804.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

National Park Service: Californio to American: A Study in Cultural Change

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site has a lesson about the ranching industry, creation of California towns and the changes over time. Contains information, inquiry question, historical context, maps, readings, and images.
Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: Mexican American War

For Students 9th - 10th
Summarizes the causes of the Mexican American war and provides facts about the history, famous people, and events surrounding it.
Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn interesting facts about the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that ended the American Mexican War (1846-1848).
Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: Wilmot Proviso

For Students 9th - 10th
The Wilmot Proviso, proposed by David Wilmot, was an amendment to the James Polk appropriations bill to gain funding for the settlement of the Mexican-American War. It stated that slavery should be banned in the territories acquired from...
Unit Plan
Department of Defense

Do Dea: Ap Us History: Unit 3: The Growing Republic

For Students 9th - 10th
This extensive learning module examines how the United States' efforts to increase foreign trade, add new territory, and isolate itself from Europe affected its foreign policy and other initiatives. It investigates how advances in...
Website
Nebraska Studies

Nebraska Studies: Pioneer Children: Games, Toys, and Recreation

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the lives of pioneer children whose families moved to Nebraska during the period of Western Expansion. Topics include toys, games and other activities for enjoyment.
Primary
Digital Public Library of America

Dpla: Staking Claims: The Gold Rush in Nineteenth Century America

For Students 9th - 10th
This exhibition explores the Gold Rush, a group of related gold rushes to Western territories in the second half of the nineteenth century, and its impact on American history and culture.