Westward Expansion Adventure: Pioneer Road Trip Project

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Westward Expansion Adventure: Pioneer Road Trip Project

Grade 8History35 days

In this Westward Expansion Adventure project, 8th graders embark on a historical exploration focusing on the cultural, economic, and geographical influences on the pioneers' experiences during the 1800s westward expansion. Students engage in various activities, including virtual reality experiences, artifact discovery, and role-playing, to understand the motivations and challenges faced by pioneers. The project aims to connect these historical insights to contemporary issues, encouraging students to construct narratives and research products that reflect both historical and modern perspectives.

Westward ExpansionCultural InfluencesPioneersHistorical ContextContemporary IssuesInteractive LearningNarrative Storytelling

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How did the cultural, economic, and geographical factors influence the perspectives and experiences of people during the westward expansion, and what were the motivations behind their movement? How can these historical challenges and experiences inform our understanding of similar contemporary issues today?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

How did the cultural, economic, and geographical factors influence the perspectives and experiences of people during the westward expansion?
What were the motivations behind the movement of people during the 1800s westward expansion, and how did these motivations shape their journey and experiences?
How can the experiences and challenges faced by pioneers during westward expansion inform our understanding of similar contemporary issues?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Students will analyze the impact of cultural, economic, and geographical factors on the perspectives and experiences of people during the westward expansion.
Students will create a narrative story based on historical events, demonstrating understanding of the journey and experiences of pioneers during the westward expansion.
Students will draw connections between historical challenges faced during the westward expansion and similar challenges in contemporary issues.

Missouri Learning Standards

6-8.AH.1.CC.B

Primary

Explain connections between historical context and peoples’ perspectives at the time in American history.Reason: The project requires students to connect the historical context of westward expansion with the perspectives of the people who lived during that time.

6-8.AH.1.CC.C

Primary

With assistance, develop a research plan, identify appropriate resources for investigating social studies topics and create a research product which applies an aspect of American history prior to c. 1870 to a contemporary issue.Reason: The project involves developing a research product that connects historical events of westward expansion with contemporary issues.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Virtual Time Travel Experience

Students step into a virtual reality scenario where they are transported back to the 1800s, witnessing key moments of the westward expansion through the eyes of a pioneer. They encounter challenges and choices pioneers faced, sparking questions about motivations and the human experience of expansion.

Mystery Artifact Discovery

Students are presented with an array of mysterious artifacts from the westward expansion era, such as tools, diaries, and maps. They must hypothesize how each was used and its significance to the journey of a pioneer, drawing connections to personal items they might bring on a journey today.

Pioneer Persona Role-play

Each student is assigned a unique character from the 1800s with a specific background, circumstances, and goals. Through a role-play activity, students explore their chosen paths, debating with others about their choices and the impact of historical context on their lives, igniting personal reflection on their journey today.

Interactive Trail Map Challenge

Students engage in an interactive challenge where they must navigate a digital map of westward trails, making strategic decisions based on historical events and natural obstacles. This activity invites students to compare their choices with real-life outcomes of pioneers, prompting inquiry about risk and innovation.

Survival Skills Workshop

Students participate in a hands-on workshop learning survival skills that pioneers needed on their journey, such as fire-starting and basic first aid. This challenges them to consider what knowledge from the past remains relevant, sparking curiosity about how they would adapt in a similar situation today.

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Portfolio Activities

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

Activity 1

Pioneer Personality Profiler

Students will begin by creating detailed profiles of their pioneer characters, considering historical contexts such as cultural, economic, and geographical factors that affect their personas. This foundational activity will set the stage for understanding diverse perspectives during the westward expansion.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Research the cultural, economic, and geographic background of your assigned pioneer character using historical sources such as diaries, letters, or maps.

2. Identify key aspects that would influence your character's decisions, motivations, and challenges in the context of westward expansion.

3. Create a profile that includes the character's background, goals, and potential challenges, highlighting the historical context influencing their perspective.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive character profile illustrating the interplay of cultural, economic, and geographical influences on a pioneer's perspective.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 6-8.AH.1.CC.B, explaining connections between historical context and people's perspectives.

Activity 2

Trail Story Sketch

Students will draft a narrative sketch of their pioneer’s journey, integrating historical events and motivations. This activity helps students construct a storyline that reflects the life and decisions of pioneers during the westward expansion.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Use your character profile to outline a storyline that includes key historical events and milestones during the westward expansion.

2. Integrate cultural, economic, and geographical factors influencing your character's decisions.

3. Draft a narrative sketch capturing the essence of a pioneer’s journey, focusing on motivations and challenges.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA narrative sketch that outlines a pioneer character's journey with historical context and insights into their decisions and experiences.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 6-8.AH.1.CC.B by explaining connections between historical contexts and experiences during westward expansion.

Activity 3

Resourceful Researcher

Students will develop a research plan and gather resources that connect their pioneer story to contemporary issues, focusing on ongoing challenges and motivations similar to the westward expansion.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Identify a contemporary issue related to your pioneer’s westward experiences.

2. Develop a research plan to investigate historical resources and present-day parallels.

3. Collect and organize information from both historical sources and current articles or reports.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA research plan and resource portfolio linking historical westward experiences to a contemporary issue.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 6-8.AH.1.CC.C by developing a research product connecting historical westward expansion challenges to contemporary issues.

Activity 4

Journey Journal Creation

Students will create a detailed journal of their pioneer journey, reflecting on historical challenges, their character’s internal and external experiences, and drawing direct connections to contemporary issues.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Use the narrative sketch as a guide to write detailed entries about your character’s journey, focusing on personal thoughts and historical challenges.

2. Incorporate insights from your research regarding the similarities between past and present issues.

3. Edit and compile your journal entries to reflect a coherent journey narrative with historical and modern relevance.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA pioneer journey journal detailing personal reflections and connections between historical and contemporary challenges.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 6-8.AH.1.CC.C by creating a coherent research product applying historical aspects to modern-day issues.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Westward Expansion Road Trip Evaluation Rubric

Category 1

Historical Context Understanding

Assessing the student's grasp of historical, cultural, economic, and geographical influences during the westward expansion.

Criterion 1

Cultural Influence Analysis

Evaluation of understanding and analysis of cultural influences on pioneers' perspectives.

Exemplary

4 Points

Provides a sophisticated analysis of cultural influences, demonstrating advanced understanding and articulation of diverse cultural impacts.

Proficient

3 Points

Provides a thorough analysis of cultural influences with clear examples and effective insights into the pioneers' perspectives.

Developing

2 Points

Offers a basic analysis of cultural influences with limited examples and partial insights into pioneers' perspectives.

Beginning

1 Points

Attempts to analyze cultural influences but with minimal understanding and insufficient examples.

Criterion 2

Economic and Geographic Exploration

Evaluation of the understanding of the economic and geographic factors influencing westward expansion.

Exemplary

4 Points

Demonstrates a deep understanding of economic and geographic factors with innovative connections and extensive detail.

Proficient

3 Points

Shows a thorough understanding of economic and geographic factors with clear explanations and appropriate detail.

Developing

2 Points

Shows emerging understanding of economic and geographic factors, but explanations are inconsistent.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to explain economic and geographic factors with minimal detail or relevance.

Category 2

Narrative and Storytelling Skills

Assessing the ability to integrate historical context into a coherent and engaging narrative.

Criterion 1

Narrative Coherence and Engagement

The extent to which the narrative is logically structured and engaging with historical context well-integrated.

Exemplary

4 Points

Crafts a captivating and well-structured narrative incorporating rich historical details with exceptional creativity.

Proficient

3 Points

Creates a coherent and engaging narrative that integrates historical context effectively.

Developing

2 Points

Develops a narrative that is somewhat engaging with partial integration of historical context.

Beginning

1 Points

Attempts to create a narrative, but it lacks coherence and has limited historical integration.

Category 3

Research and Connection to Contemporary Issues

Assessing the development of a research plan and connections drawn between historical and contemporary issues.

Criterion 1

Research Plan and Source Utilization

Evaluation of the creation and execution of a research plan, including use of historical and contemporary sources.

Exemplary

4 Points

Develops an innovative research plan with comprehensive use of diverse sources effectively connecting past and present issues.

Proficient

3 Points

Creates a clear research plan using a variety of relevant sources to connect historical and contemporary issues.

Developing

2 Points

Develops a basic research plan with limited sources and emerging connections to contemporary issues.

Beginning

1 Points

Attempts to create a research plan with minimal source use and weak connections to contemporary issues.

Category 4

Reflection and Personal Insight

Evaluating personal reflection and insight drawn from understanding historical challenges and current relevance.

Criterion 1

Personal Insight and Reflection

Depth of personal reflection and insight on historical challenges related to contemporary issues.

Exemplary

4 Points

Provides profound reflections with personal insights demonstrating a deep connection between historical and present challenges.

Proficient

3 Points

Offers thoughtful reflections with clear connections between historical and present challenges.

Developing

2 Points

Provides basic reflections with some connection between historical and contemporary challenges.

Beginning

1 Points

Attempts reflection but lacks depth and clear connection between past and present challenges.

Reflection Prompts

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

Question 1

Reflect on how cultural, economic, and geographical factors during the westward expansion influenced your pioneer character's journey. How have your perspectives on these factors evolved throughout the project?

Text

Required

Question 2

In what ways did the motivations and challenges faced by pioneers during the westward expansion enhance your understanding of similar contemporary issues?

Text

Required

Question 3

Rate how well you feel you understood the historical context of your pioneer character by the end of this project.

Scale

Optional

Question 4

Which entry event (e.g., Virtual Time Travel Experience, Mystery Artifact Discovery) did you find most impactful for your learning, and why?

Multiple choice

Required

Options

Virtual Time Travel Experience

Mystery Artifact Discovery

Pioneer Persona Role-play

Interactive Trail Map Challenge

Survival Skills Workshop

Question 5

How confident are you in your ability to link historical events, like those from the westward expansion, to contemporary issues?

Scale

Optional