Westward Expansion Teaching Resources
Planning a unit on Westward Expansion can be incredibly involved and time-consuming. There's no need to spend all of your time planning — our teacher team has done it for you! This collection will help you bring this period of history to life in your classroom.
Take your social studies students back to pioneer times with curriculum-aligned resources created by teachers for your elementary school classrooms. Explore the timeline of Westward Expansion from the Louisiana Purchase through the Lewis and Clark Expedition and beyond.
- Get printable maps of Colonial America for students.
- Download slide decks to teach the journey of Lewis and Clark, crossword puzzles and Westward Expansion reading passages about the Westward Expansion period.
This era of American history comes to life in this curriculum-aligned teaching resource collection with editable resources to fit the needs of your students.
What Is Westward Expansion?
Haven't taught this section of US history in a while (or ever)?
When you think about what the United States is today, it's hard to imagine that it wasn't always this way. In fact, for a long time, it was just a collection of 13 colonies along the east coast.
But once people started to settle in the West, things started to change—and fast. The pioneers who traveled west changed the face of America forever. Settlers, explorers like Lewis and Clark, and pioneers all helped contribute to what's now known as "Westward Expansion."
Teaching Westward Expansion for Kids
Our teacher team has put together a few tips to get you started as you work to expand your students' minds westward.
- First, print your own illustrated Westward Expansion vocabulary word wall.
- Next, navigate the Oregon Trail and test your survival skills with The Oregon Trail Board Game.
- Finally, print cross-curricular Westward Expansion worksheet PDF files and assessments to blend reading and social studies curriculum.
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Lewis and Clark Expedition - RACES Writing Strategy Worksheets
Practice using the RACES writing strategy for text evidence with a Lewis and Clark Passage, graphic organizer, and worksheet.
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The Pony Express - Comprehension Passage Worksheet
Teach your students how to write a constructed response paragraph and integrate grade level Social studies concepts with a free Pony Express worksheet and ten-question comprehension assessment.
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The Industrial Revolution Timeline Worksheet
Craft a chronological timeline for students to model the progression of events during the Industrial Revolution.
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Westward Expansion Close Reading and Writing Pack
Enhance your students' close reading strategies, vocabulary, and writing skills with a Westward Expansion reading passage and accompanying activities.
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The Oregon Trail Board Game
Engage and excite your students to learn about traveling on the Oregon Trail with an eventful board game!
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The War of 1812 Task Cards
Review concepts related to the War of 1812 with a set of printable U.S. history task cards.
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Industrial Revolution Word Wall
Build academic vocabulary skills with an illustrated Industrial Revolution vocabulary word wall.
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Industrial Revolution Interactive Activity
Engage your students to display their knowledge about the inventions and effects of the Industrial Revolution with a digital interactive notebook.
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Stephen F. Austin Mini Book
Make a book with your primary-grade students to learn about the contributions of Stephen F. Austin.
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Industrial Revolution Task Cards
Teach your students about the inventions and effects of the Industrial Revolution with a set of 24 Industrial Revolution task cards.
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Industrial Revolution Mini-Book
Let your students read about the inventions and effects of the Industrial Revolution with this mini-book.
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Industrial Revolution Instructional Slide Deck
Teach your students about the inventions and effects of the Industrial Revolution with an animated and engaging Industrial Revolution slide deck.
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Industrial Revolution Causes and Effect Graphic Organizer
Identify the causes and effects of the Industrial Revolution on American society with an Industrial Revolution worksheet.
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The Industrial Revolution - Reading Comprehension Worksheets
Integrate reading, writing, and American history with an Industrial Revolution passage, questions, and additional activities.
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The Lewis and Clark Expedition - Instructional Slide Deck
Guide your students on a trip through American history with an instructional slide deck on the Lewis and Clark expedition.
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Lewis and Clark Close Read Comprehension Pack
Enhance your students' comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills with a close reading passage and activity pack about the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
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Westward Expansion Word Search
Increase academic vocabulary with a Westward Expansion word search.
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Lewis and Clark Expedition - Cloze Worksheet
Practice and review concepts associated with the Lewis and Clark Expedition using a cloze passage.
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Lewis and Clark Expedition - Crossword Puzzle
Practice and review vocabulary associated with the Lewis and Clark Expedition using a crossword puzzle.
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American Pioneers Graphic Organizer
Summarize the journey of the American Pioneer with a graphic organizer worksheet.
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Pioneer Vocabulary Worksheets
Practice and review vocabulary associated with the American pioneer using a vocabulary review worksheet pack.
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Westward Expansion Tri-Fold Brochure Learning Log
Demonstrate knowledge of Westward Expansion with an end of unit brochure project.
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Westward Expansion Visual Word Wall
Build vocabulary with a visual/picture word wall aligned with your Westward Expansion unit of study.
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The Lewis and Clark Expedition - Interactive Research Templates
Use these three templates to record notes or research project content on the life and contributions of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and Sacagawea
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Lewis and Clark Expedition Worksheet - Graphic Organizer
Summarize a unit of study on the Lewis and Clark expedition with a who, what, where, when, and why graphic organizer.
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Westward Expansion Reading Comprehension Worksheet
Build reading comprehension skills with a Westward Expansion reading passage and assessment.
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The Lewis and Clark Expedition - KWL-Anticipation Guide
Introduce a unit of study on the Lewis and Clark expedition with a KWL chart and anticipation guide.
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Industrial Revolution Worksheet - Constructed Response
Blend reading, writing, and history concepts surrounding the Industrial Revolution with a constructed response worksheet and graphic organizer.
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The Louisiana Purchase -Constructed Response Worksheet
Integrate reading, writing, and Social Studies content with a Louisiana Purchase Constructed Response worksheet and graphic organizer.
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Mexican Cession- Constructed Response Passage Worksheet
Teach your students how to write a good constructed response and integrate grade level Social studies concepts with a Mexican Cession-based Constructed Response worksheet and graphic organizer.