This lesson explores the events of the United States’ westward expansion, including encroachment on Native American lands, major land purchases, mass migrations such as the Oregon Trail and California Gold Rush.
Intended to be completed in the classroom before the scheduled field trip or class visit, the pre-teaching activity will give students some familiarity with the terms, ideas, and visuals, that they will see during the actual visit.
During this portion of the visit, students will be asked to look closely at twelve to twenty maps that fit within the curriculum theme. Each student will need to find:
Examples of Maps Used:
(sets of maps will vary)
OML visit themes have recommended hands-on activities or group-games that can be done in conjunction with the Guided Inquiry exercise.
