Curated OER
Trailblazers - Now and Then
Young scholars, working in pairs, use maps to determine the most efficient routes between two cities. They research which route would have been used by early trailblazers. They present a first person account of one of the trailblazers...
Curated OER
Manifest Destiny
In this Westward Expansion worksheet, high schoolers read assigned textbook pages which describe Manifest Destiny and respond to 33 short answer questions.
Curated OER
How to Combine Sentences
Students practice combining sentences. In this writing lesson, students view essays and discuss how it can be revised, using sentence combining. Students practice this skill in their own essays.
Curated OER
The Spanish Entrada
In this Arizona history worksheet, high schoolers read a 5 page selection that includes primary sources about time periods in the state's history. Students then respond to 5 short answer questions based on the selection.
Curated OER
Field Trip to San Bruno
Students contrast a weedy annual grassland of introduced species with an undisturbed, ancient plant community of native bunchgrasses and wildflowers.
Curated OER
Pushing the Boundaries: The Pioneer Spirit
Eleventh graders recognize how social reform occurred at the turn of the century. Through a debate, 11th graders determine advantages and drawbacks of traveling west using original sources and descriptions of the attitudes, beliefs, and...
Curated OER
Spanish Colonization: The Anza Expedition
Learners research the Spanish explorations and North American geography. They create web pages based on their study.
Curated OER
Cooking Kansas City
Students investigate the history of Kansas City and then create recipes from the area, including Kansas City Barbecue Sauce, and Kansas City Corn.
Curated OER
Explorit's Green Salad Quiz
In this food history worksheet, students read the information about the history of food and salads. Students select the correct answer for the 6 related questions.
Curated OER
Grew to the West
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...
Other
Oregon California Trails Association: Historic Trails Learning Center
Information portal for the organization that oversees the preservation of the Oregon Trail, the California Trail, the Santa Fe Trail, the Applegate Trail, and the Mormon Trail.
Other
Historic Trails: Oregon/california Trails
Find a map of the Oregon Trail and California Trail and click Historical Trails tab to discover the hardships and daily grind of traveling on the Oregon Trail.
Other
Oregon California Trails Association: New Light on the Donner Party
The myths, mysteries, and facts are revealed at this Donner Party site. At the beginning of November 1846, a group of California-bound immigrants was trapped by snow in the Sierra Nevada. By the time the last member reached safety six...
Curated OER
National Park Service: California National Historic Trail
This site from the National Parks Service gives a brief history, and description of the California trail system which was used by settlers moving to California during the 1849 Gold Rush days.
University of Richmond
American Panorama: The Overland Trails 1840 1860
Interactive map highlights the emigrations of men and women over the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails in the 1840s and 50s. Also features a timeline of migration, diary entries from individual migrants, and a flow map showing how...
Other
Sierra College Press: California Trails: Beckwourth Trail
A brief history of the development of mountain man James Beckwourth's trail during the westward expansion. Beckwourth Trail begins near Reno, Nevada and heads through Marysville towards Lake Oroville. The path was effective for traveling...
Library of Congress
Loc: Nation Expansion and Reform: Traveling on the Overland Trails, 1843 1860
Primary source information about traveling the Overland Trails, both to Oregon Country and California.
Other
Everytrail: Trail Map of San Andreas Fault Trail Exploration
Use this map on the San Andreas Fault by following lines of posts that mark the various fault breaks in the Los Trancos Open Space Preserve. The trail takes hikers to see some of the effects of earthquakes in this otherwise tranquil...
Other
Overland Trail: Overland Trail Stage Stations
Description of the stations that were established every 10 to 15 miles or so along the Overland Trail. Hyperlinks to much additional information.
Other
The Missions Trail
Briefly describes each of the 21 California Missions that make up California's historic mission trail. The missions are located from San Diego to Sonoma.
Sacramento Bee
Sac Bee: The Journey by Land
This CalGoldRush.com site discusses where people came from and the many routes that were taken to get to California. Many traveled the Mormon and Oregon Trails.
Other
U.s. Route 40: History of Route 40
The history of U.S. Route 40, including the development of predecessor roads such as colonial roads, the national road, pioneer trails, and various highways.
Other
U.s. Route 40: History of Route 40
The history of U.S. Route 40, including the development of predecessor roads such as colonial roads, the national road, pioneer trails, and various highways.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Utah History Encyclopedia: Donner Party
This article recounts the tragic Donner Party, a wagon train bound for California in 1846 whose members resorted to cannibalism after getting stuck in the winter snow.