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3-5 Elementary Westward Expansion Video
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About this video
Follow America’s westward expansion in the 1800s — from the Louisiana Purchase to the Trail of Tears. Discover how pioneers, explorers like Lewis and Clark, and the idea of Manifest Destiny shaped the nation’s growth and identity. Learn about the conflicts, challenges, and triumphs that defined this era, including the spread of slavery, the Missouri Compromise, and the impact on Native American communities.
Elementary lessons from the Bill of Rights Institute are primary source-based, focusing on content-area literacy and performance-based assessments. Designed for grades 3-5, these lessons use a modular approach to help young learners explore American history and citizenship in an engaging, age-appropriate way. Perfect for budding historians curious about how the United States became what it is today!
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Related Resources
How did the growth of the United States lead to challenges and opportunities for individuals?
A dice game that allows students to understand the various groups that moved Westward and the choices they had to make along the way.
Text that explores Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny.