Maya Brandl and Denise Allen

Lesson from Westward Expansion Unit

Learning Targets:
1. Why did people travel west?
2. Describe the experiences of pioneers moving west
3. How did the westward movement impact the growth of the United States?
4. I can identify the main idea of the text and support it with details.
Standards:
1. H2.4.2- describe the experiences of pioneers moving west
2. H2.4.4- identify the diverse population of Nevadas early settlers and discuss their
unique experiences
3-5 class periods
Day 1-2
Read Traveled West in a Covered Wagon together as a class. Teacher reads the book,
students follow along on their own copy of a book.
After book and book questions have been read and answered, teacher partners students
in heterogeneous groups of 2. Each student gets assigned 2 sections from the book
(view table of contents).
Day 3-4
Students then further their knowledge in that category by research on the computer and
other teacher provided supplies to become experts in that section.
They then make a presentation for the class on their sections and a 3 question quiz using
Quizzz

Collaboration- when students are partnered

o Students are required to work in pairs or groups
o Students have shared responsibility
o Students make substantive decisions together
Knowledge construction- research beyond what has been read and learn more then
the rest of the class
o The activity requires some knowledge construct
Technology- make their own presentations, giving them a choice on how present,
and also the online quizizz
o Students use technology during the activity
Skilled communication- giving them a choice on how they present
o The activity requires extended or multiple modal communication
o Students must provide supporting evidence or communicate to a particular
audience
Self-Regulation- time to carry out their plan and learning goals
o The activity is long term; students have learning goals and success criteria in
advance
o Students plan and monitor their own work

Day 5
Student then present their information to the class with their choice of a poster,
PowerPoint, Prezi, or another multi-modal form:
And have the student take their quiz online using their class computer cart.
Collaboration- equal speaking parts
o Students are required to work in pairs or groups
o Students have shared responsibility

Knowledge construction- learning about other people sections

o The activity requires some knowledge construct
Technology- take each others quiz online
o Students use technology during the activity
Skilled communication- giving them a choice on how they present
o The activity requires extended or multiple modal communication
o Students must provide supporting evidence or communicate to a particular
audience

Rubric for Presentation: