Westward Expansion Full Unit Bundle Engaging Student Centered Activities C3

Westward Movement - 7 separate lessons including an Inquiry based essay assessment discussing Westward Movement! With every lesson, if possible, digital and classroom versions are provided.

☆☆☆Engaging, student centered, and make for the middle school mind!☆☆☆

Lessons Included: 

Andrew Jackson - Life and Impact -  With this lesson, students will be examining the major topics of Andrew Jackson's presidency, specifically, the way in which his policies prioritizes some groups of Americans while harming others. Students will examine the following topics - Andrew Jackson's Rise, the Spoils System, the Kitchen Cabinet, the Bank War, the Nullification Crisis, Jackson and Slavery and Native American Removal.

Then, students will analyze their findings and answer the following - Which groups of people was Jackson most concerned with during his life and presidency? 

Analyzing the Manifest Destiny - This is a one day lesson that helps students to understand the point of view of those who supported the Manifest Destiny.  Students will analyze a painting from John Gast (America's Progress) and two quotes from John O'Sullivan. For formative assessment, students create a new version of the America's Progress painting from a different point of view. 

Territorial Expansion Stations Activity  - This lesson provides a fun and interactive way for students to practice analyzing geographic context and gain content knowledge about each of the territorial additions in the mid-1800s. There are five stations that can be set up around the room for students to visit. Each of the five stations has a visually appealing map and timeline that discuss the major events relating to the addition of that territory to the United States. 

Oregon Trail, Gold Rush 49ers, Mormon Trail Primary Source Stations - This lesson includes three stations to help students analyze primary sources and learn about the Oregon Trail pioneers, the Mormon Trail pioneers, and the gold rush 49ers. Each station provides photographs, written sources, drawings and QR code links to videos. I've even included a link an animated video I created about the Oregon Trail! The graphic organizer prompts students to explain why each group went westward, what they experienced while traveling, and the impact of their journey.

Westward We Go! - Full Class Game - With this game, students play  as Oregon trail pioneers Mormon pioneers, or 49ers. This game as played together as a full class. Students from each group stand in front of the class and read each card to the class. Some are simple and students may move forward or backward on the game board. Others involve fun physical challenges! Students might have to toss a ball one-handed around their group to survive fording a river!

Analyzing Texas Independence - With this lesson, students investigate the true cause of Texas Independence. It included a background reading regarding the Texas Battle for Independence (with comprehension questions). They students are then provided with 5 primary sources that have been edited for clarity and comprehension. By having students discuss competing reasons why Texans declared independence, it makes the topic much more compelling!

The Mexican War Analyzing Perspectives - This lesson has students work in pairs to analyze perspectives relating to the outbreak of the Mexican War. Students categorize the documents, and by doing so, they end up closely reading the words. At end of the lesson, the students discuss who they found the most convincing, and are able to analyze the emotions and evidence included in the perspectives. This worked really well with my students, they loved seeing if they were correct with their analysis!

Inquiry - Westward Movement  -  Students investigate the events relating to Westward Movement in the United States and discuss the consequences of the Manifest Destiny - through an essay. The students will investigate many voices of this time period through primary sources. This inquiry combines hands on interactive investigations with critical thinking and assessment. 

Help your students build and retain key vocabulary terms with a visually appealing word wall. This resource includes 46 word wall terms related to the Westward Expansion, vocabulary review strategies, and a review puzzle to support your students' learning.

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