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Text graphic titled "Unit 6 & 7: America in Transition and Expansion 1815-1860" with a decorative background.
Graphic organizer for a map-based inquiry, detailing prompts, claims, and evidence sections.
Interactive timeline handout with instructions for students to identify important events and complete guided notes.
Document outlining objectives and instructions for land surveyors during Western expansion, featuring guiding questions and background info.

Unit 7: American Expansion Student Handouts & Activities

Text graphic titled "Unit 6 & 7: America in Transition and Expansion 1815-1860" with a decorative background.
America in Transition Timeline
Activity

Activity

How did Americans and democratic institutions respond to the rapid economic changes of the early 19th century? 
Graphic organizer for a map-based inquiry, detailing prompts, claims, and evidence sections.
A Map Based Inquiry: Student Response Sheet Graphic Organizer
Activity

Activity

Interpret and synthesize information from historical maps.
Interactive timeline handout with instructions for students to identify important events and complete guided notes.
Interactive Timeline Notes Handout
Activity

Activity

Investigate a timeline to identify important information and make connections.
Document outlining objectives and instructions for land surveyors during Western expansion, featuring guiding questions and background info.
Voices From Western Expansion Primary Sources
Activity

Activity

Four primary sources that share the stories of those who traveled Westward during the mid-1800's.
Graphic organizer for analyzing primary sources related to Western expansion, including sections for observations and reflections.
Voices From Western Expansion Document Analysis Organizer
Activity

Activity

A student handout that pairs with the four accounts from the Voices of the Westward Expansion lesson.
Essay titled "Reasons for Migration" discussing historical events related to the Donner Party and westward expansion.
Reasons for Migration
Essay - 1332 Words

Essay

1332 Words

An essay to help students explore the challenges and opportunities experienced by those who moved west during the mid-1800's.
Worksheet titled "Trail of Tears Stations: Response Sheet" with guiding questions and objectives related to Native American history.
Trail of Tears Stations: Response Sheet Handout
Activity

Activity

Guided questions to help students explore the primary sources associated with this lesson.
Document discussing the expansion of slavery, with objectives on analyzing primary sources and historical context.
Is the Constitution a Slavery or Anti-Slavery Document Primary Source Set
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Activity

Four primary source documents from the mid-1800's that explore the topic of slavery and the U.S. Constitution.
Chart titled "7 p* ARTS Graphic Organizer" for analyzing primary sources with sections for parts of speech and examples.
7 p*ARTS – Graphic Organizer
Activity

Activity

Analyze how key events contributed to rising tensions between the North and South.
Handout titled "Trail of Tears Stations: Response Sheet" with guiding questions and objectives related to Native American history.
Abolition Views Sorting Primary Source Set
Activity

Activity

Five primary sources that identify different perspectives on slavery in the nineteenth century.
Document list titled "How Enslaved People Resisted Slavery," featuring various historical sources and objectives.
How Enslaved People Resisted Slavery Primary Source Set
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Activity

Five primary sources that show how enslaved people resisted slavery in their daily lives.
Graphic organizer template for documenting resistance types and explanations, with space for symbols or images.
How Enslaved People Resisted Slavery Graphic Organizer
Activity

Activity

A student handout to accompany the primary sources in this lesson.