The Pioneers changed the face of the United States. Their actions, which spanned the course of several years, created the country we see today. Settlers, explorers like Lewis and Clark, and politicians all helped create what's now known as the "Westward Expansion."
This period of time actually took almost a full century. The Westward Expansion began in 1804 and lasted until 1890. It began at the Mississippi River in 1804 and ended in the 1890s with treaties and wars with the Native Americans.
Bringing the Pioneers and Their Experiences to Your Classroom
The Westward Expansion covers such a broad expanse of time there are many opportunities for teaching. The Gold Rush is a memorable and fun place to start. The pioneers and their journey to find homes and settle in the west can also be a fun classroom unit. Of course it also provides an opportunity to discuss Native Americans and their role in the history of the United States.
Teacher Planet has teaching resources for all these topics and more. You'll find more than 25 different lesson plans. You'll also find worksheets, clip art and a huge assortment of teaching resources all designed to help you bring history alive for your young students.
