Manifest Destiny, Native Americans, and the Mexican War

Note: There is a lot covered in this lesson. You could easily spread it out over 2 (or more) weeks.

Manifest Destiny-

Students read a small explanation of Manifest Destiny, analyze a picture and answer questions in this worksheet.

Middle school students can do this week long Manifest Destiny project.

You can use the word wall cards to practice vocabulary related to Manifest Destiny.


A  Westward Push-

View this PowerPoint on westward expansion.


Do this Oregon Trail webquest.

Read more about the Oregon Trail.

Identify parts of a covered wagon with this worksheet. Investigate reasons why the pioneers traveled west with this worksheet. Read and answer questions about the Oregon Trail in this reading passage and worksheet.

5th-10th grade students can do this Oregon Trail journal project.

Write about the Oregon Trail on this notebooking page.

Check out these Primary Sources from the Library of Congress.

Texas and the Alamo-

Read about the Battle of the Alamo.

Read this packet and do the worksheets. You may even want to try the sugar cube alamo project!


The California Gold Rush and the Forty-Niners-

Read about the Gold Rush.

Complete this Gold Rush activity pack and play the game.

Explore routes to California in this map activity.

Decorate this 49er.

Write about the Gold Rush on this notebooking page.

Native Americans-

Read about the Indian Removal Act.

Read about the Trail of Tears.

View these Native American photos.

The Mexican War-

Read about the Mexican-American war.

View this Mexican-American war PowerPoint.

Extras:

Watch the movie Seven Alone (Note: It's a bit shaky on this website, but free. You can also rent it on amazon but that costs).

Sing The Ballad of Davy Crockett:

Sing Oh My Darlin' Clementine:

Review events with this westward expansion timeline card set.