Westward Expansion Map Easy Kid Friendly Westward Expansion Map

I think we all envision a world in which every lesson we teach is filled with incredible resources, interactive activities, and engaging conversations. But, as teachers, we are bombarded with so many pressures that take our time and energy away from creating these life-changing lessons. And, out of necessity, we put our energy into those subjects that are being tested and sometimes let history fall through the cracks…

To help avoid this situation in your classroom, I have spent countless hours and research creating meaningful, engaging, and simple US History lessons. In this free Westward Expansion Map Activity , your students will learn about the acquisitions that expanded the United States from the east coast to the west coast.

Maps can be an important and engaging tool.

According to the book Historical Maps in the GIS , "Historical maps often hold information retained by no other written source, such as place-names, boundaries, and physical features that have been modified or erased by modern development. Historical maps capture the attitudes of those who made them and represent worldviews of their time."

Like other primary sources, maps can be an incredible tool to help students see history through the eyes of people who actually lived back then. A map can reveal so much about the map's creator and how they viewed the world.

Engaging Resources for Teaching with Maps

National Geographic Education

*Note: This website requires you to create a free account in order to access their resources.

• This article gives an in depth description of maps – what they are, what the various symbols mean,
• Mapmaker : For grades 5+, this interactive tool allows teachers (and students) to create their own maps.
• For younger grades, you can download and print these maps for your classroom. Students work together to assemble these large, table-top maps.
• Vintage maps archive

National Archives

• Simple worksheet for analyzing a map.

Library of Congress

• With original maps and collections of primary sources for specific topics (including maps), this website is full of incredible resources!

Teachinghistory.org

• Exploring a Map in 12 Easy Steps (Worksheet) – This is a fun lesson plan in which students explore smaller sections of a map,

Free Westward Expansion Map

Now, do you need great maps to teach about Westward Expansion? I've found excellent maps for you and written up a lesson plan.

Lesson Objective: I can map and compare the U.S. territorial acquisitions from 1783 to 1853.

In this free Westward Expansion map activity, you will find:

• A detailed lesson plan
• Task cards – including maps, primary sources, and specific details regarding each U.S. territorial acquisition
• Student worksheets
• And access to a Google Classroom version of the lesson!

First, students use task cards to analyze U.S. territorial acquisitions. From these task cards, students will learn the history behind the acquisition, as well as how it was acquired (treaty, war, or purchase).

Next, students add to their individual map – labeling and coloring each acquisition.

Finally, students respond to the activity through a reflection page and class discussion.

Download Your FREE Westward Expansion Map

More Westward Expansion Resources

Would you like additional resources to help you teach about Westward Expansion ?

• Westward Expansion Primary Sources : An outline of 6 powerful primary sources, complete with teaching suggestions. I have also created a compilation of primary sources for several other US History topics as well!
• Westward Expansion Videos : 5 of my favorite educational and age-appropriate videos for teaching Westward Expansion to middle school students.
• Westward Expansion Picture Books : 5 worthwhile picture books to help bring Westward Expansion to life in your classroom.
• 3 Week Westward Expansion Unit : This all-inclusive unit provides interactive lesson plans that will keep your students engaged and help them learn the information in a meaningful way.

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Source: https://www.thecleverteacher.com/westward-expansion-map/

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