Kimberly Maschak
Course: American History
Topic: Manifest Destiny and the Western Trails Grade Level: 11th Grade
Date: December 5, 2013 Established Goals:
Standard 1, Key Idea 2 Key Idea 2: Important ideas, social and cultural values, beliefs, and traditions from New York State and United States history illustrate the connections and interactions of people and events across time and from a variety of perspectives. Standard 3, Key Idea 1 Key Idea 1: Geography can be divided into six essential elements which can be used to analyze important historic, geographic, economic, and environmental questions and issues. These six elements include: the world in spatial terms, places and regions, physical settings (including natural resources), human systems, environment and society, and the use of geography. (Adapted from The National Geography Standards, 1994: Geography for Life) Understandings: • The idea of manifest destiny influence the mentality of those who moved West
and how America saw themselves as a Nation. • Those traveling West during the early 19th century encountered many struggles,
including geographical features and limited supplies. Essential Questions: ● How did the idea of manifest destiny influence westward expansion in America?
● What geographical features did Americans encounter on the trails as they moved
West?
Instructional Plan: Students will be able to…
● Identify important geographical features from the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails ● Analyze maps, images and written documents that reflect the idea of manifest
destiny ● Map a route used to travel during westward expansion Materials: ● Quiz ● The American Progress painting ● Melish Map, 1816 ● Mapping Worksheet Learning Activities: ●
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Quiz: Students will complete a 10-question quiz at the beginning of class. The
quiz will consist of questions regarding the Age of Jackson and reform
movements in the early 19th century. Manifest Destiny: The teacher will display an excerpt of John O’Sullivan’s “The
Great Futurity”. After completing the quiz, students will write a written response
to the questions: What does John O’Sullivan think America stands for? And what,
according to John O’Sullivan, is America’s mission? Once everyone has completed the task, the whole class will discuss their answers and the idea of manifest destiny will be introduced. American Progress Painting Analysis: The teacher will display the image of
American Progress painting. Student will identify what they see in the painting.
The students will analyze the painter’s message and relate the painting to the John
O’Sullivan quote. Melish Map: The student will then compare a map of the United States in 1816
with the Melish Map. Students predict why Melish drew the map this way and
how it relates to manifest destiny. The teacher will then provide students with
Melish’s explanation of the map. Miss Maschak Goes West: The teacher will explain that there were two major trails used during westwards expansion. The teacher will also discuss the methods of preparing for the journey and struggles pioneers faced. The teacher will then provide images of the landscapes from a trip to Wyoming and Idaho to help build student knowledge of the geographic features of the land. Students Move West: The students will chose one of the three trails to map on a worksheet. On the map, students will need to identify important geographical features and cities. After students have completed the map of their journey, students will write a journal entry as if they were participating in the move westward. In their journal entry, students will be include the idea of manifest destiny, description of important geographical landscapes, and preparation and struggles of the journey. Students finish the assignment for homework. Assessment: Quiz: a 10-question assessment that will measure student knowledge of the Age
of Jackson and Social Reforms of the early 19th century
Trail Map: This assessment will measure the students’ ability to identify key map
features and label routes
Journal Entry: This assessment will measure the students’ understanding of
manifest destiny and the mentality of pioneers moving westward.