American History, Westward Expansion, Era 4
In this 5-week course, students will learn about expansion and change in the United States between the Revolutionary War and the U.S. Civil War.
Big Brain Academy
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(348)
What's included
14 live meetings
10 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 3 - 6
This course covers westward expansion, slavery and the antebellum period, and the industrial revolution. Lessons are planned using the UCLA history standards. This is the 4th in a series to cover the 9 eras of American History. They do not need to be completed in chronological order. This class will be a mix of lecture and interactive note-taking, discussion, and projects/games/activities that extend learning. Students will often guide their own learning by asking meaningful questions and seeking the answers through primary sources. PART A: EXPANDING INTO THE WEST Lesson 1: The Early Years --War of 1812 and its effects on Europeans and American Nations vs. those on Native Groups --The Star Spangled Banner --Forming a national identity Lesson 2: Manifest Destiny --Louisiana Purchase --Lewis and Clark --Treatment of Native Americans Lessons 3-4: Westward Expansion --Homesteading and the Oregon Trail --Oregon Treaty of 1846 --Homestead Act of 1862 --Changing forms of transportation Lesson 5: Gold Rush --Beginning of the Gold Rush --Effects of the Gold Rush --Map a Gold Rush town Lesson 6: Annexation of Texas --Mexican-American War --Alamo PART B: TREATMENT OF NATIVE PEOPLES Lesson 7: Forced Relocation --Native American Removal --Resistance and avoidance Lesson 8: Online Game-Play to Further Understanding --As a group, play "A Cheyenne Odyssey" by Mission U.S. Part C: THE VICTORIAN AGE IN AMERICA Lesson 9: Economic Changes in the United States --Compare a colonial economy to a market economy --Discuss changes in the way of live of northerners --Create a "Chatterbox" of facts Lesson 10: Market Revolution: 1820’s-1850’s --Pick your path from a set of several different characters Part D: The System of Enslavement Lesson 11: Daily Life --Details of the life of an enslaved person in both the North and the South --Slave auctions and ads (at an age appropriate level) --Slave and Free states and the politics connected to it Lesson 12: States, Laws, and Policies --Missouri Compromise --Fugitive Slave Act --The enslavement of Native Peoples Lessons 13-14: Resistance --Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad --Unique and common forms of resistance Students of all backgrounds and learning abilities are welcome in my classroom. If there is an accommodation you'd like me to make for your child, please reach out. This classroom is a safe space.
Learning Goals
Era 4: Expansion and Reform 1801-1861
Standard 1: United States territorial expansion between 1801 and 1861, and how it affected relations with external powers and Native Americans
Standard 2: How the industrial revolution, increasing immigration, the rapid expansion of slavery, and the westward movement changed the lives of Americans and led toward regional tensions
Standard 3: The extension, restriction, and reorganization of political democracy after 1800
Standard 4: The sources and character of cultural, religious, and social reform movements in the antebellum period
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Parents should be aware that this content areas includes themes such as violence, slavery, disease, war, and death. These will topics will be addressed directly in an age appropriate manner. A complete syllabus including links to sources can be requested by parents the day the class begins. If you have questions or concerns regarding these areas, please reach out ahead of time and we can discuss in detail what the lessons entail.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Smithsonian Learning Lab
Ken Burns @ PBS.org
National Portrait Gallery
TedEd
ZinnEdProject
iCivics
University of North Carolina
Native Knowledge 360
Learning for Justice
ReadWriteThink.org
Joined May, 2020
4.8
348reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Certified Social Studies teacher for grade 5-8
Primary sources are used whenever possible
Consider marginalized voices in my lesson through careful listening and reading of resources such as Learning for Justice etc. Reviews
Live Group Class
$140
for 14 classes2x per week, 7 weeks
45 min
Completed by 6 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
4-12 learners per class
