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America Grows - Trailblazers Pave the Way

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students study the time period after the Revolutionary War when people were striving to move away from the coastal areas and look for pathways to the west. Westerward expansion is a central theme and students use a variety of resources...
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Grew to the West

For Students 3rd - 4th
In this westward growth activity, students use lyrics given to follow along with the song "Grew to the West," filling in blanks to answer simple questions throughout. Students then answer 10 additional questions about the song. Song link...
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Mapping the West

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students determine how Americans' perception of the geographical features of the West changed following the Lewis and Clark expedition. They analyze historical maps of the West.
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Negotiating Treaties

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders recognize the interaction between early settlers and indigenous people in the U.S. They recognize the impact of the Indian Removal Act on displaced Natives in the early West and the impact on Native attitudes today.
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Social Studies: Native american Tribal Sovereignty

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students examine the issue of tribal sovereignty for Native Americans. Following a mock trial simulation based on the case of Johnson v. McIntosh, they write opinion papers based on the results of the Supreme Court decision in 1823.
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African American Emigration: Turner and McNeal

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students discuss reasons why African Americans may have wanted to emigrate from the United States followig the Civil War. They complete a Venn diagram noting the differences between proposals by Marcus Garvey and Henry McNeal Turner.
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The Industrial Revolution

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the time period of the Industrial revolution in American history.  In this American History lesson, 8th graders read the chapter on this time period.  Students create a presentation on this time period to...
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Manifest Destiny Questions

For Students 8th - 11th
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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Frontier Life Story

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore American frontier life. In this history lesson, students participate in a series of activities that challenge them to discover what pioneer life was really like.
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Cowboy Myth

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore the concept of historical myth. They read speeches by two presidents who allude to the mythic cowboy and they answer questions about the purpose of each speech. For homework, they read two historian interpretations of...
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The American Land

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students identify the 5 major regions of the United States on a map and then research one of the regions in groups. In this regions lesson plan, students use their textbooks to research.
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Two American Entreprenuers: Madam C.J. Walker and J.C. Penny

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners identify the attributes that helped Walker and Penney to succeed as entrepreneurs. They compare and contrast Walker and Penney for similarities and differences in backgrounds and business methods.
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Skagway: Gateway to the Klondike

For Teachers 5th - 12th
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?

For Teachers 4th
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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An Orderly Wagon Train Migration

For Teachers 6th
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 Lewis and Clark Expedition

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners 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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Manifest Destiny

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students 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 democracy.
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Music and Tall Tales

For Teachers 5th - 8th
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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The Texas Cowboy: Myth and Reality

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students create "cowboy ballads" in this interactive, multi-day lesson. The cowboy is researched using various sources and class discussions. Students evaluate individual work at the end of the lesson.
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Patty Reed's Doll: The Story of the DonnerParty

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners explore westward movement through eyes of doll belonging to Patty Reed, member of Donner Party. They write journal entries from points of view of characters in book, Patty Reed's Doll, participate in Pack the Wagon game, and...
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Exploring Pioneer America

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research pioneers who had a strong influence on westward expansion. In this westward expansion activity, 4th graders write an essay about four pioneers and an interview script about one. Students work in pairs to present...
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Report to Congress on Our Expedition

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners research in small groups to locate information on the outcomes and observations made during the Lewis and Clark expedition. In this westerns expansion lesson, students role play their findings as though they were reporting to...
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What is Manifest Destiny

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore the definition of 'Manifest Destiny' and its importance to Westward Expansion.  In this U.S. History lesson, 11th graders work in small groups to write an essay that explains 'Manifest Destiny.'
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Frontier Forts

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders study frontier forts. In this Kansas history lesson, 7th graders research the history and conditions of Fort Leavenworth, Fort Scott, Fort Riley, Fort Larned, and Fort Hays. Students write letters from the...

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