Download Westward Expansion

NAME:_____________________________
DATE:_______________________
Westward Expansion Project
DIRECTIONS:
You will have 4 double periods, as well as homework time, and Study hall time to complete this Westward
Expansion Project. This is a joint project for both ELA and Social Studies. Since this project counts for so
much, you will be spending 4 consecutive school days in the library and computer lab in order to research, plan
out and complete the research portion and Outline portion of the project. You will be choosing from the
following topics: Lewis and Clark and the Corp of Discovery time period, Missionaries/Trail Blazers
expanding westward, or the Gold Rush time period. The final presentation of the project will be due NO
LATER than APRIL 6th. So ALL of the notes, outline, bibliography will be TURNED IN on MARCH
24th at the end of class. The Project portion (i.e. the video, game, cartoon, newspaper, etc) will be due by
April 6th. If you have it completed before that date you may hand it in early.
The following are Thesis ideas you may use or create one of your own.
Lewis and Clark:
 Explain why Lewis and Clark were chosen for the expedition.
 Research Meriwether Lewis focusing on his contribution to the Corps of Discovery.
 Research William Clark focusing on his contribution to the Corps of Discovery.
 Research Sacagawea focusing on her contribution to the Corps of Discovery.
 Research any of the other people that were part of the Corps of Discovery (look to website for help)
 Research any of the Native American groups that Lewis and Clark encountered along their journey,
focusing your research on how they were affected by and how they effected the Lewis and Clark
expedition and then later settlement by the white settlers.
Missionaries/Trail Blazers West:
 Research the Mormons, focusing on why they moved west and how they affected settlement in the west.
 Research Marcus and Narccisa Whitman and their encounters and hardships moving west.
 Research the Oregon Trail focusing on why people moved west along the Oregon trail, what hardships
they faced, what happened once they were there, etc.
 Research William Becknell and the Santa Fe Trail focusing on why he started the trail and why was it
important to the westward movement.
 Research Jebeddiah Smith and focus on his importance to the westward expansion movement.
Gold Rush Time Period:
 Research how the Gold Rush leads to the cultural diversity that exists in California today. Look at who
was traveling to California during the Gold Rush and how that leads to the culture that can be found
there today.
 Research Samuel Brenan and focus on his contribution to the California Gold Rush.
 Research John Sutter and focus on his contribution to the Gold Rush.
 Research James Marshall and focus on his contribution to the Gold Rush.
 Research any other person involved in the Gold Rush.
 Research how the landscape and economics of California had been changed due to the Gold Rush.
You may choose from the above topics, or you can think of one on your own. You may also research the
Transcontinental Railroad people/places that were affected by the development of the Railroad. If you
think of a topic or item that is not listed please run the idea by myself or Mrs. Krajeski.
Notes For Project #1
Title of Book/Internet Site:
Author(s):
Title of Article (Internet Only)
Copyright Date:
Date You Accessed Info on the Internet
Publisher:
For the Internet sites you will need the URL (the address at the top of the page) you used for the article and
the MAIN website dedicated to that information. My suggestion is to copy and paste the information
immediately into you Bibliography page.
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Notes For Project #2
Title of Book/Internet Site:
Author(s):
Title of Article (Internet Only)
Copyright Date:
Date You Accessed Info on the Internet
Publisher:
For the Internet sites you will need the URL (the address at the top of the page) you used for the article and
the MAIN website dedicated to that information. My suggestion is to copy and paste the information
immediately into you Bibliography page.
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Notes For Project #3
Title of Book/Internet Site:
Author(s):
Title of Article (Internet Only)
Copyright Date:
Date You Accessed Info on the Internet
Publisher:
For the Internet sites you will need the URL (the address at the top of the page) you used for the article and
the MAIN website dedicated to that information. My suggestion is to copy and paste the information
immediately into you Bibliography page.
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Notes For Project #4
Title of Book/Internet Site:
Author(s):
Title of Article (Internet Only)
Copyright Date:
Date You Accessed Info on the Internet
Publisher:
For the Internet sites you will need the URL (the address at the top of the page) you used for the article and
the MAIN website dedicated to that information. My suggestion is to copy and paste the information
immediately into you Bibliography page.
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Notes For Project #5
Title of Book/Internet Site:
Author(s):
Title of Article (Internet Only)
Copyright Date:
Date You Accessed Info on the Internet
Publisher:
For the Internet sites you will need the URL (the address at the top of the page) you used for the article and
the MAIN website dedicated to that information. My suggestion is to copy and paste the information
immediately into you Bibliography page.
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NAME:
DATE:
Rubric For
Westward Expansion Project
Notes:
/30 (10 Points Per Page)
Notes were taken in proper form, i.e. bullets, fragments, etc.
Sufficient amount of notes in order to complete the required pages typed
Outline in Inspiration Software:
/20
Title of Project (Topic)
Name, Information is clearly put in Chronological Order or Order of
Events/Organized
Bibliography:
/10
Bibliography is in the correct MLA format
There are at least 3 different sources (You should have more)
Project:
/30
Choices: Video/Computer Game,
Computer Graphics Cartoon,
Newspaper,
Video
Power Point (added features that were not in previous Power Point)
Use of Time:
/10
Students used class time wisely
Students took sufficient amount of notes
Students were cooperative and quietly researching and typing when needed
Total:
/100