Westward Movement

What a great list of brief research projects for reviewing the era of westward expansion in the United States! Learners are directed to choose and complete three of the projects on the given list, which includes opportunities to design...

What a fantastic project idea for discussing not only the history of America's expansion into the West, but for reviewing any major unit of history in your class. Pupils build stamp collections to visually represent themes of the unit,...

Upper elementary learners read about jobs on a cattle drive and the lives of cowboy during U.S. Westward Expansion. They create a "Help Wanted" poster for one of the jobs. After reading primary source accounts of cowboys, they write...

Review the westward expansion, game-show style. Twelve hot topics related to the westward expansion, if answered correctly, will make your class winners in the game of American history. The game is modeled after the once-popular TV show,...

As your young historians study Westward Expansion, practice in-depth primary source analysis with the documents and guidelines presented in this resource. They will examine a lithograph and excerpts from two letters written by a Nebraska...

Sixth graders create a portfolio of pictures and research primary resources to investigate if westward expansion was justified. In this westward expansion lesson plan, 6th graders discuss the effect the expansion had on Native American...

Sixth graders explore the art of Thomas Benton. In this Westward Expansion lesson, 6th graders explore primary sources available from the Library of Congress that feature Benton's life and work.  Analysis of best...

Fifth graders examine life on westward trails. In this Westward Expansion lesson, 5th graders analyze primary sources available from the Library of Congress that complement their reading of Pioneer Girl by Andrea Warren.

Sixth graders examine 19th century inventions that prompted Westward Expansion. In this Westward Expansion activity, 6th graders analyze primary sources available from the Library of Congress that feature 19th century inventions. ...

Students explore the concept of philanthropy in historical context. In this Westward Movement lesson plan, students read Our Journey West and explain examples of settlers working together for the common good.