Westward Bound Slides
A revised 9-slide presentation exploring the Homestead Act and Transcontinental Railroad. It covers geographic changes, economic growth, and the cultural impact on Indigenous populations with high-contrast, large-format text.
Westward Bound Guided Notes
A guided notes document to accompany the Westward Bound slide deck, featuring structured fill-in-the-blank sections, key vocabulary, and a reflection area on Indigenous displacement.
Expansion Evidence Analysis
A primary source analysis worksheet comparing a pro-settlement Homestead Act advertisement with a critical political cartoon depicting Indigenous displacement. Includes structured questions for visual analysis and synthesis.
Great Westward Debate Activity
A structured debate preparation worksheet for a point/counterpoint activity. It guides students in developing arguments for either the pro-expansion or Indigenous perspective, focusing on the economic and geographic impacts of the era.
Westward Bound Teacher Guide
A comprehensive teacher facilitation guide for the Westward Bound lesson, providing a 50-minute pacing guide, discussion prompts, debate structure, and verified Smithsonian Institution links for the original primary source images.
Expansion Answer Key
A complete answer key for the Westward Bound guided notes and primary source analysis, featuring sample responses for the debate activity and the exit ticket.
Expansion Exit Ticket
A concise end-of-lesson assessment for the Westward Bound lesson, featuring physical and economic impact questions and a 3-2-1 reflection on expansion and displacement.
