Easy to plan, engaging to teach
How would you like to have your Westward Expansion Unit completely planned for the next 3 weeks? I’m talking 15 lessons, worksheets, answer keys, and activities completely ready to go.
Fantastic, right?
I’m a former 5th grade teacher myself. I’ve been in your shoes! With the ever-increasing demands placed upon teachers, it can be hard to keep up. For me, that often meant letting my social studies lessons fall through the cracks.
Now, I work full-time creating U.S. History curriculum to help busy teachers like you. I want to help you fall in love with teaching history.
My history units have been loved by thousands of 5th-8th grade teachers! Keep reading to find out why you will love my newest interactive unit all about Westward Expansion.
What’s included in the Westward Expansion Unit?
- 15 detailed lesson plans
- 3 weeks of activities
- Pacing guide
- Answer keys
- Google Slides for each lesson (Google Classroom compatible)
- 175+ pages with a variety of activities (PowerPoint presentations, task cards, maps, a simulation, an original game, a Reader’s Theatre, and so much more)
- Editable end-of-unit test and study guide
Westward Expansion Unit Table of Contents
Week 1
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Manifest Destiny— define Westward Expansion & Manifest Destiny and evaluate beliefs about America’s mission in the world (PowerPoint presentation, student note worksheets, 4 corners posters)
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Lewis and Clark Expedition—analyze journals from the Lewis and Clark Expedition (informative article, excerpts from Lewis and Clark journals, student analysis worksheets)
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Forces Driving Westward Expansion—use primary and secondary sources to discover which forces drove Westward Expansion (artifact cards, student recording sheets)
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U.S. Territorial Acquisitions—map and compare U.S. territorial acquisitions from 1783 to 1853 (blank map, acquisitions task cards, student reflection page)
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Westward Expansion Trails—map and analyze Westward Expansion overland trails (blank map, trail task cards, student reflection pages)
Week 2
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All About the Oregon Trail—explain what life was like for emigrants on the Oregon Trail and prepare for an Oregon Trail simulation (informative article, student worksheets)
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Oregon Trail Simulation—participate in a simulation about the Oregon Trail and explain the challenges faced by emigrants on the Oregon Trail (PowerPoint presentation, student worksheets, reflection)
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Indian Removal Part 1—sequence and analyze events relating to Indian Removal in the Southeastern United States (timeline cards, reflection page)
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Indian Removal Part 2—respond silently in writing to prompts about Indian Removal and discuss insights (informative article, silent conversation prompts)
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Texas Revolution—explain the main events of the Texas Revolution and participate in a readers theatre about the Battle of Gonzales (informative article, readers theater)
Week 3
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Mexican-American War—describe the causes and effects of the Mexican-American War and explain various perspectives on the war (informative article, cause & effect sorting cards, student worksheets)
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California Gold Rush—answer questions about the California Gold Rush (anticipation guide, task cards, student booklet)
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California Gold Rush Game—play a California Gold Rush game acting as a prospector or merchant (game preparation worksheet, gameboard and game elements)
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Westward Expansion and Slavery—explain how Westward Expansion led to the growth of slavery in the United States and explain how three compromises (The Missouri Compromise, The Compromise of 1850, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act) inflamed sectional rivalries in the United States (PowerPoint presentation, student note worksheets, reflection page)
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Westward Expansion Effects—explain how Westward Expansion resulted in opportunities for some and losses for others (group cards, student worksheets, journal prompt)
Help For the Teacher
- Table of contents (also available in the preview)
- Suggested pacing guide
- 15 lesson plans
- Answer Keys (Of course!)
- Editable end-of-unit test and study guide
- Easy printing file with all student worksheets and articles
- Editable Google Slides for each lesson
More Westward Expansion Resources
I want to save you TONS of time and help you fall in love with teaching history. That’s why I’ve created this Westward Expansion Unit.
Need additional lesson plans? Explore my popular units:
- Age of Exploration
- 13 Colonies
- Declaration of Independence
- Revolutionary War
- US Constitution
- Civil War
- Westward Expansion
