Exploring Western Expansion: Conflicts, Cultures, and Conquests
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Exploring Western Expansion: Conflicts, Cultures, and Conquests

Grade 8Social Studies6 days
This project explores the complex dynamics and drastic impacts of 19th-century western expansion in the United States, focusing on the interactions between diverse groups such as Native Americans and pioneers. Through engaging entry events such as role-plays, virtual reality experiences, and artifact investigations, students examine significant events like the Gold Rush and the Louisiana Purchase. They analyze the consequent social, cultural, and political changes, with an emphasis on Manifest Destiny, using critical thinking and historical analysis skills. The project culminates in various activities that allow students to demonstrate their understanding through reflections, journal entries, and presentations.
Western ExpansionManifest DestinyNative AmericansGold RushLouisiana PurchaseCultural Conflicts19th-century America
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we understand the impact of westward expansion on diverse groups, including Native Americans, pioneers, and others, in shaping the social, cultural, and political landscape of the 19th-century United States?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What were the major causes and consequences of westward expansion in the United States during the 19th century?
  • How did the ideologies and beliefs of manifest destiny influence the policies and actions of the United States government?
  • What impact did westward expansion have on the Native American populations and their cultures?
  • How did different social classes and groups contribute to and/or resist the westward expansion of the United States?
  • What role did significant historical events, such as the Louisiana Purchase and the Gold Rush, play in shaping the expansionist policies of the United States?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Understand and describe the causes and impacts of westward expansion on diverse groups in 19th-century America.
  • Analyze the role of key events such as the Louisiana Purchase and Gold Rush in promoting U.S. expansionist policies.
  • Evaluate the effects of policies like manifest destiny on different social groups and regions in America.
  • Investigate the cultural, social, and political changes resulting from conflicts and interactions between Native Americans, settlers, and other groups.
  • Develop a comprehensive project demonstrating mastery of historical analysis, critical thinking, and synthesis skills.

Social Studies Standards

SS 8.5.4
Primary
I can trace the development of internal conflicts due to differences in religion, race, culture, and groups in different regions of America.Reason: The project's focus on western expansion includes examining how diverse groups, such as Native Americans and pioneers, interacted and often conflicted due to differences in culture, race, and economic interest.
SS 8.4.1
Primary
I can identify significant conflicts and their causes in North America.Reason: Exploring conflicts during western expansion, such as the Mexican-American War and conflicts with Native Americans, directly aligns with identifying significant historical conflicts in North America.
SS 8.5.1
Secondary
I can compare and contrast the status of social classes and how they impacted American society.Reason: The project encourages students to explore how social classes, including distinctions between Native American societies and settlers, influenced and were affected by westward expansion.
SS 8.2.4
Supporting
I can describe the rise and achievements of the distinctive groups in North American Civilizations.Reason: Understanding the contributions and experiences of Native American groups and pioneers during westward expansion aligns with describing the achievements and experiences of diverse groups.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Gold Rush Game Show

Kick off the project with a game show that challenges students' assumptions about the Gold Rush and its impact on different social groups. Students answer trivia questions that reveal surprising facts and encourage deeper exploration into the era's realities.

Interactive Role-Play: Council of Tribes

Students participate in a role-play simulation where they represent different Native American tribes negotiating with pioneers or government officials. The activity provides an opportunity to delve into the perspectives and conflicts experienced by indigenous peoples during western expansion.

Virtual Time Traveler

Using virtual reality technology, students are transported back to the early 19th century, witnessing key moments like the signing of the Louisiana Purchase, the journey of Lewis and Clark, or life in a pioneer settlement. This immersive experience sparks curiosity about the motivations, challenges, and experiences of those who lived through western expansion.

Mystery Artifact Unveiling

An assortment of mysterious artifacts from the western expansion era (e.g., a gold pan, a broken wagon wheel, a treaty document) is revealed to the class. Students are tasked to investigate the origins, purpose, and historical significance of each item, leading them to explore the broader context of the time period.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Council of Tribes Reflection

Building on the Interactive Role-Play, students will reflect on their experience and produce a written analysis of the negotiations, highlights, and conflicts faced by Native American tribes during the westward expansion.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Students revisit and review the outcomes of their role-play activity as representatives of Native American tribes.
2. Guided by a reflective questionnaire, students analyze the negotiation tactics used and the main challenges experienced during the simulation.
3. Using their reflections, students write a detailed analysis highlighting the key issues faced by Native American tribes during westward expansion.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written analysis exploring the negotiations and struggles of Native American tribes during western expansion.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with SS 8.5.4 by examining the internal conflicts due to cultural differences, and SS 8.2.4 by describing the experiences of Native American groups.
Activity 2

Virtual Time Traveler Journal

After engaging with the Virtual Time Traveler entry event, students will maintain a weekly journal documenting their reflections and insights from their virtual experiences of key moments and events of western expansion.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Each week, students choose a key historical event from their virtual experience to focus on, such as the signing of the Louisiana Purchase or life during the Lewis and Clark expedition.
2. Students reflect on their experiences by writing journal entries that capture their observations, thoughts, and questions arising from the virtual scenarios.
3. At the end of the week, students share their journals in small groups to discuss different perspectives and insights gained.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA collection of reflective journal entries analyzing and evaluating key events of westward expansion.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports SS 8.4.1 by encouraging students to identify causes of conflicts and key events, and SS 8.5.1 by reflecting on and describing the impacts on social classes and groups.
Activity 3

Artifact Investigation Report

Following the Mystery Artifact Unveiling, students will investigate and produce a detailed report on the origins, significance, and historical context of a chosen artifact related to the western expansion era.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Students select one of the artifacts presented during the unveiling, such as a gold pan or treaty document, for their investigation.
2. Research the historical context, purpose, and significance of the artifact using multiple sources, including textbooks, articles, and online databases.
3. Compile the information gathered into a structured report that discusses the artifact's background and its relevance to western expansion.
4. Present the report to the class, providing insights into how the artifact contributes to the understanding of the time period.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn in-depth investigation report on the historical significance of an artifact from the western expansion era.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with SS 8.5.4 by delving into cultural and social conflicts through artifacts, and SS 8.2.4 by highlighting the achievements and contributions of different groups within the era.
Activity 4

Gold Rush Game Show Debrief

After participating in the Gold Rush Game Show, students will explore deeper into different groups affected by the Gold Rush by researching their roles, contributions, and the challenges they faced.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Divide students into small groups and assign them one of the social groups from the Gold Rush era, such as miners, businessmen, Native Americans, and immigrant workers.
2. Provide research materials, including books, articles, and primary sources, and guide students to gather information about their assigned group.
3. Ask each group to create a visual presentation summarizing the key roles, challenges, and contributions of their group during the Gold Rush.
4. Students present their findings to the class, opening up discussions about the varied perspectives during this era.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA visual presentation summarizing the roles, challenges, and contributions of different groups during the Gold Rush.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with SS 8.4.1 by identifying significant conflicts and causes during the Gold Rush, and SS 8.5.1 by comparing the roles and contributions of different social classes.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Western Expansion Project Evaluation Rubric

Category 1

Content Understanding

Assessment of student's understanding of historical events and the impact of western expansion on diverse groups.
Criterion 1

Historical Context

Ability to accurately describe the historical context and significance of key events and policies related to western expansion.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides a comprehensive and insightful description of the historical context of multiple events, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of their significance to western expansion.

Proficient
3 Points

Accurately describes the historical context of key events, showing a thorough understanding of their significance to western expansion.

Developing
2 Points

Provides a basic description of the historical context of events, with some understanding of their significance to western expansion.

Beginning
1 Points

Provides minimal or inaccurate descriptions of historical contexts, showing limited understanding of significance.

Criterion 2

Impact on Diverse Groups

Understanding and analysis of the effects of western expansion on various social groups, including Native Americans, pioneers, and other settlers.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents an in-depth analysis of the diverse impacts on various groups, demonstrating exceptional critical thinking and understanding.

Proficient
3 Points

Analyzes the impacts on various groups, revealing a solid understanding and ability to compare different perspectives.

Developing
2 Points

Describes some impacts on groups, with partial understanding and inconsistent analysis of perspectives.

Beginning
1 Points

Describes impacts on groups with limited accuracy or depth, needing significant improvement.

Category 2

Skills and Competencies

Examination of research, critical thinking, and presentation skills developed and demonstrated through the project.
Criterion 1

Research and Evidence

Use of multiple sources and evidence to support analysis and conclusions related to western expansion.

Exemplary
4 Points

Uses a wide range of credible sources and provides robust evidence to support nuanced conclusions and analyses.

Proficient
3 Points

Uses a variety of sources and provides clear evidence to support conclusions and analyses.

Developing
2 Points

Uses limited sources, providing some evidence to support conclusions, but lacks depth in research.

Beginning
1 Points

Relies on few or unreliable sources, providing minimal or irrelevant evidence.

Criterion 2

Presentation and Communication

Effectiveness of the visual presentation in conveying key ideas, as well as clarity and engagement in communication.

Exemplary
4 Points

Delivers a clearly articulated, engaging presentation that effectively communicates complex ideas and engages the audience deeply.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents a clear and structured presentation, communicating ideas effectively and engaging the audience.

Developing
2 Points

Communicates key ideas with some clarity, though presentation lacks full engagement or structure.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to communicate ideas clearly, with a poorly structured or unengaging presentation.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on how the exploration and projects conducted during this unit have helped you understand the interactions between different social groups and their contributions during the western expansion.

Text
Required
Question 2

On a scale from 1 to 5, how effective do you think the entry events were in introducing and engaging you in the topic of westward expansion?

Scale
Optional
Question 3

Which key historical event from the 19th-century western expansion era did you find most impactful, and why?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Louisiana Purchase
Gold Rush
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Mexican-American War
The Alamo
Question 4

Reflect on the cultural, social, and political challenges that were evident in the activities you engaged in, such as role-playing, journal entries, and artifact investigations.

Text
Required
Question 5

Consider your understanding of Manifest Destiny now compared to before the unit. How has your perception changed?

Text
Optional