Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Manifest Destiny

For Teachers 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students use primary source documents to investigate central historical questions. In this investigation students use nineteenth-century maps and art, and consider the roots of American exceptionalism.
Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Stirrings of Reform

For Students 9th - 10th
The democratic upheaval in politics exemplified by Jackson's election was merely one phase of the long American quest for greater rights and opportunities for all citizens. Another was the beginning of labor organization, primarily among...
Website
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: Liberty for All? Webisode 3

For Students 9th - 10th
Webisode 3 - Liberty for All? The history of the United States is presented in a series of webisodes, within each are a number of segments.Included are links to lesson plans, teacher guides, resources, activities, and tools.
Website
Other

Kingwood Library: American Cultural History: 1880 1889

For Students 9th - 10th
The 1880's in America were chock full of new architecture, technologies, businesses, modern conveniences such as gas and electric, operas, fashions, and much more as featured in this resource.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Encountering the American West: Ohio River Valley 1750 1820

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a PDF of the information from LOC of the exhibition of America's move to its first West, that of the Ohio River Valley. Discussion includes these topics: Contested Lands, Peoples and Migrations, Empires and Politics, Western Life...
Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: Billy the Kid: Perspectives on an Outlaw

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson relates to the westward movement in the United States in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Students analyze the role that gunfighters played in the settlement of the West and distinguish between their factual...
Lesson Plan
Lin and Don Donn

Lin and Don Donn: American History: Oregon Trail

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
This site written by teachers provides lesson ideas and links to a number of topics related to the Oregon Trail.
Website
Agriculture in the Classroom

U.s. Department of Agriculture: Agriculture in the Classroom

For Students 9th - 10th
Information about agriculture and agricultural practice in America. You can explore specific states or issues that are national in scope. The "Growing a Nation" page helps you understand the role of the American farm in westward expansion.
Website
National Women’s History Museum

National Women's History Museum: The Path to Women's Suffrage

For Students 9th - 10th
Students analyze maps and primary documents and share stories of the Westward Expansion relating to gaining women's suffrage.
Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Movement South and Westward

For Students 9th - 10th
Following Eli Whitney's invention in 1793 of the cotton gin -- a machine that separated raw cotton from seeds and other waste -- the cotton market boomed. Planters in the South bought land from small farmers who frequently moved farther...
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Education: Art to Zoo What Can You Do With a Portrait?

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
This is the very first published issue of Art to Zoo. Unlike later issues, it features three separate topics instead of one larger theme. In this issue you can find information and resources for teaching westward expansion and its impact...
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Building Unity

For Students 9th - 10th
Outline of the U.S. and the quest for unity in the early 1800s. Article briefly chronicles events such as the War of 1812 as well as political and economic decisions that created a united America separate from Britain.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Infectious Disease

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Investigate the spread of infectious diseases from whites to Native Americans during the westward expansion of the 1800s, and compare cholera to Ebola and other infectious diseases.
Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: Oregon Trail

For Students 9th - 10th
The Oregon Trail was the important route taken by settlers from the east migrating to build a new life in the western part of the United States covering over 2000 miles.
Lesson Plan
US Mint

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

For Teachers K - 1st
In 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.
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.