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The Pack contains associated resources for the learning experience, typically in the form of articles and videos. There is a teacher Pack (with only teacher information) and a student Pack (which contains only student information). As a teacher, you can toggle between both to see everything.
Here are the teacher pack items for Territorial Expansion:
Overview In this experience, students review a timeline of the territorial history of the United States and generate questions. Then they explore why Americans went to settle in Texas and how the Republic of Texas became a state. Next they create a brief timeline of how California became a state and describe the Oregon Trail. Finally they analyze the painting American Progress as a reflection of Manifest Destiny. If you have access to leveled readers that include stories about the California Gold Rush or the Oregon Trail, assign them to the students in parallel to this experience. Estimated duration: 40-50 minutes Vocabulary words: Objectives
From the time of American independence, the new nation attracted immigrants and continued to grow. New forms of transportation helped families migrate westward in hopes of obtaining land for a home. Southern farms and plantations expanded as the demand for cotton remained strong. Northern factories attracted immigrants and rural migrants looking for work. In this experience, you will learn about three major events in territorial expansion: the annexation of Texas, the California Gold Rush, and the establishment of the Oregon Trail.
Objectives
Family heading westward in a covered wagon, ca. 1921
Look at the timeline: A territorial history of the United States. Focus on the years 1800–1850.
List a question that you have about the information in the timeline.
Use student questions as an indicator of what students want to know about territorial expansion. Choose a few guiding questions to help summarize the unit for students.
