EDU61745
December 16, 2008
Objectives:
Students will learn about the
opportunities and challenges presented by westward expansion.
They will be able to describe the new forms of transportation and communication
established by westward expansion. They will also discuss the
effects of westward expansion on Native Americans.
Social Studies Standards:
Strand 1, Concept 5, P.O. 1-5
Teacher will present unit by
introducing the concept of westward expansion in the United States and
when it began. The presentation will include the reasons people
were immigrating to the United States including economic opportunity
and also political and religious freedom.
The students will then have a choice of two different seatwork activities that review the information presented by the teacher. One activity will be reading additional information and answering questions. A second activity will match pictures to statements of information presented by teacher.
Students will work in groups
to answer questions about westward expansion. Each group will
get to choose the question they want to answer. The groups will
then present their answers to the class. After presenting their
answers they will ask the class for additional comments.
Why would people leave the comfort of their homeland to journey west?
What challenges would pioneers face as they journeyed west to new lands?
How do you think they traveled?
How did they communicate to others across the country?
How did this expansion affect Native Americans?
How did this expansion affect wildlife?
Students will choose one of the
following projects to present to their class:
Create a timeline showing significant
events of Westward Expansion.
Role-play a presentation from
the perspective of a Native American leader.
Create a Venn Diagram comparing
pioneers and Native Americans.
Draw a mural of a scene depicting
life during Westward Expansion.
Debate the formation of Native
American Reservations.