Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: The Difficult Journey [Pdf]
"The Difficult Journey" is a one page, fictional, reading passage about the hardships of a family of early settlers moving West in a wagon train. It is followed by constructed-response questions which require students to provide evidence...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: The Gulls of Salt Lake [Pdf]
"The Gulls of Salt Lake" is a one page, fictional, reading passage about a group of early settlers who had endured the hardships of traveling west and planted crops in the fertile soid, only to be invaded by swarms of crickets. Just when...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Settlement [Pdf]
"Settlement" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about the problems of the early settlers in the prairie. It is followed by constructed-response questions which require students to provide evidence from the story; it includes:...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Settlement [Pdf]
"Settlement" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about the hardships of early settlers in the prairie. It is followed by questions which require students to provide evidence from the story; it includes: determining main idea and...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: School Publishers: Join a Cattle Drive
At this site take a look at maps of cattle drives from the ranches and ranges of Texas to the market places in Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming.
PBS
Pbs: The West: Frederick Jackson Turner (1861 1932)
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...
PBS
The West: Documents on the Sand Creek Massacre
Contains the text of documents on the Sand Creek Massacre, including two editorials from the Rocky Mountain News, Congressional testimony by John S. Smith, and a deposition by John M. Chivington
PBS
Pbs: Events in the West: 1800 1820
A comprehensive site on the development and history of the American West. In timeline fashion, this page details the events leading up to the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It continues with information about...
PBS
Pbs: Homes on the Prairie
A complete description of the prairie and how it changed as people began to settle there. Click on the links after the text to take you to the next page.
PBS
Pbs: Lewis and Clark: Into the Unknown
On April 7, 1805, the Corps of Discovery left Fort Mandan and headed west. On their maps, the land that Lewis and Clark was headed for was indicated by a vast, blank space and the word, "Unknown". This is where this journey INTO THE...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Fort Scott National Historic Site: The Mexican War
This is a very brief overview of the Mexican War, organized into the following sections: "Zachary Taylor's Army," "The Army of the West," and "Invasion of Mexico City." Includes links to related articles and websites.
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
The Great Plains in Midwestern Culture
Discusses the history of the people on the Great Plains, both the Native Americans and early settlers.
US Geological Survey
Usgs: The Four Great Surveys of the West
This site provides historic images of the expanding frontier taken by military and private citizens from 1861-1912.
University of Michigan
Making of America: Kanzas and Nebraska
This University of Michigan site provides the full text of "Kanzas and Nebraska," written by Edward Everett Hale. The book gives the history, geographical, and physical characteristics of these territories, as well as an account of the...
Mount Holyoke College
Hippo Campus: Excerpt From "The Significance of the Frontier in American History"
Read an excerpt from "The Significance of the Frontier in American History" by Frederick Jackson Turner.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Scientific American: Wild Places: Growing Prairie
Explore efforts to return parts of the American prairie using controlled cultivation and grazing. Compare and contrast the effects of various levels of ground shade on new seedlings.
Other
The Oregon Trail: Fantastic Facts About the Oregon Trail
This resource provides quirky facts about the Oregon Trail.
Ibis Communications
Eye Witness to History; Crossing the Plains, 1865
Article offers the diaries of Sarah Raymond as she treks across the Great Plains. Describes the many hardships encountered on this long journey.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian American Art Museum: Lure of the West
Beautiful artwork from the more famous artists who depicted the people, places and things of the American West.
Other
Global Security: 54 40 or Fight
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...
Other
Californians and the Military: John Charles Fremont and the Bear Flag Revolt
A brief retelling of John C. Fremont's expedition to California. Learn about his confrontation with Mexican authorities that led to the Bear Flag Revolt.
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: The Difficult Journey [Pdf]
"The Difficult Journey" is a one page, fictional, reading passage about the hardships of a family moving west in a wagon train. It is followed by constructed-response questions which require students to provide evidence from the story;...
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