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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 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 instructional activity, students respond to 7 short answer questions about America's vision of Manifest Destiny and its effects.
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Wagon's West: Life on the Trail
Young scholars investigate what life on the Oregon Trail was like. For this Westward Movement lesson, students eat foods that were eaten by settlers on the trail as they read textbook pages about the trial. Young scholars then draw an...
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The Grand Adventure of Lewis and Clark
Young scholars 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. Young scholars also read excerpts from The Incredible Journey and...
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Trails to the West
Eighth graders research American history of the 1850's. In this American history lesson, 8th graders write about how different American groups looked at the idea of Manifest Destiny. Students then draw the Oregon and Santa Fe Trail.
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Wagons West
Students prepare to travel west. In this Westward Movement lesson plan, 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. In this cattle drive lesson plan, 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
Learners 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
Students evaluate primary sources to develop their own opinions about Westward Expansion. In this Manifest Destiny lesson, students examine and respond to questions about Gast's painting titled American Progress Students 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
In this Westward Expansion activity, learners 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
Learners 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...
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Wagons West
Students examine life on westward trails. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students analyze textbook passages about life on the Oregon Trail and the motivations of the people who settled Oregon.
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Wagons West: Native Americans
Students examine interactions between Native Americans and settlers. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students analyze select passages from Plains Indians by Dana Newmann and The World of Native Americans by Marion Wood. Students...
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Manifest Destiny
Students identify the implications of Manifest Destiny. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students view a PowerPoint presentation on the topic and then respond to questions based on the details of the presentation.
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Whats so Different Between Them
Learners evaluate primary sources. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students will write essays that compare and contrast the differences and similarities between pioneers and Native Americans. Learners will engage in a wide variety of...
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Westward Expansion: Links to the Past
Learners investigate the impact of Manifest Destiny. In this California history lesson plan, students conduct research on the settlement of the state between 1849 and 1900. Learners use their findings to create scripts that link primary...
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Wounded Knee Massacre
Middle schoolers interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students examine sources regarding the Battle of Wounded Knee from the perspective of Lakota...
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Westward Ho
Students examine primary sources regarding Western migration. In this Manifest Destiny lesson, students determine why the pioneers moved west and what the trip was like as they examine sources and write journals based on their findings.