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Exploring Westward Expansion

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Tamara Gonzales

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Exploring Westward Expansion

Understand westward expansion

In this lesson, students will learn about westward expansion and how the frontier shifted west and southwest due to population growth and ambition. This lesson is designed to be engaging and interactive, incorporating various learning strategies to suit diverse learning needs.

Audience

Second Grade

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Experiential Learning, Game-Based Learning, Blended Learning, Inquiry-Based Learning, Active Learning, Collaborative Learning, Project-Based Learning

Materials

Dry Erase Boards and Markers, Worksheet, Reading, Discussion Questions, Quiz, Answer Key, Printable Cards, and Exit Ticket

Step 1

Introduction

10 minutes

  • Show the video Story: The City Mouse and The Country Mouse
  • Briefly discuss the differences between city life and frontier life to introduce the topic of westward expansion.

Step 2

Reading

15 minutes

  • Read aloud the provided reading material on westward expansion.
  • Encourage students to follow along.

Step 3

Discussion

10 minutes

  • Lead a discussion using the provided questions. Ensure to engage all students and provide support for English Language Learners by rephrasing questions or providing visual aids.

Step 4

Activity

10 minutes

  • Use dry erase boards and markers to have students draw or write one thing they learned about westward expansion.

Step 5

Quiz

10 minutes

  • Hand out the quiz and allow students to complete it individually.

Step 6

Closure

5 minutes

  • Collect the quizzes and have a brief discussion on what they found most interesting about the lesson.
  • Hand out exit tickets for students to write one thing they remember about westward expansion.
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Discussion

Discussion: Westward Expansion

This discussion will help students articulate their understanding of westward expansion.

Why did people move west?

Discuss population growth and the ambition for new opportunities.







What challenges did people face during westward expansion?

Talk about the difficulties such as traveling long distances, finding food, and facing natural obstacles.







Can you think of any benefits that resulted from westward expansion?

Mention the availability of new land, opportunities for farming, and the spread of new ideas and cultures.







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Worksheet

Worksheet: Westward Expansion

This worksheet will help reinforce the material covered in the lesson.

Name two reasons why people wanted to move west.

Think about new opportunities and population growth.







Describe one challenge people faced when moving west.

Consider obstacles like long travel distances.







What is one thing you found interesting about westward expansion?

Share your personal thoughts.







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Quiz

Quiz: Westward Expansion

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Answer Key

Answer Key: Westward Expansion

This key provides the correct answers along with reasoning for each quiz question.

Why did people move west?

To find new opportunities
People moved west to find new opportunities and available land.

What was one challenge people faced during westward expansion?

Long distances traveled
Long distances traveled were a significant challenge.

What is one benefit of westward expansion?

More farming opportunities
Westward expansion provided more farming opportunities.

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Reading

Reading: Westward Expansion

This reading introduces students to the concept of westward expansion and its importance.

Westward Expansion

In the 1800s, many people in the United States moved west. There were many reasons for this movement. Some people wanted new opportunities. They wanted to find new land where they could build homes and farms. The East was becoming crowded, and many people thought they could have a better life out West.

The journey was not easy. People traveled in wagons and walked many miles. They faced challenges like crossing rivers and mountains. They also had to find food and water along the way. Despite these challenges, many people were excited about the possibilities that the West had to offer.

Westward expansion changed the country in many ways. It allowed for new towns and farms to be built. It also brought different people and cultures together. Westward expansion was an important part of American history.

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Quiz

Exit Ticket: Westward Expansion

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