Lesson Resources
Target Audience
The Pathfinder is designed to be used by 4th grade students and teachers who are learning about the westward expansion of the United States. It begins with the Louisiana Purchase, goes through the exploration of that new land by Lewis and Clark, and includes the acquisition of Texas, including the Battle at the Alamo. The Oregon Trail and the Gold Rush and the development of mining towns are included, also. The impact of the steamboat, the steam locomotive and the telegraph, as well as the impact of all the above on Native Americans are all included. A variety of formats have been included to accommodate all learning styles and levels.
Directions for Using this Pathfinder
This pathfinder is presented in the format of an online wiki. Students can access these resources from any networked computer. Use the navigation menu located on the right of each page to access desired materials.
Each page includes the following information:
Lesson Resources
For help with searching using OPAC or browsing the library shelves as well as an annotated list of resources.
Media Resources
Visual resources can enhance students’ understanding of Westward Expansion. DVDs, United Streaming, videos and music can be found here.
Online Resources
Access to electronic resources is available here. Several web sites are included, as well as electronic versions of primary documents and other reference materials.
Print Resources
Fiction, non-fiction, and reference materials available in our school, other schools in our system, and our local library (through an inter-library loan) are listed here.
Key Words for use with OPAC
Alamo California Gold Rush Cherokee
Indians Clark William Corps of Discovery Crockett, Davy
Jefferson, Thomas Lewis, Meriwether Locomotive Louisiana Purchase
Mining Town Oregon Trail Railroad
Sacajawea Santa Anna Steamboat Telegraph
Trail of
Tears
Dewey Decimal Call Numbers
384 - Communications; Telecommunications
385 - Railroad Transportation
386 - Inland Waterway & Ferry Transport
900 - History and Geography
917 - Lewis and Clark
973 - Native Americans (Trail of Tears)
976- The Alamo (Texas)
978 - California and Oregon
The Pathfinder is designed to be used by 4th grade students and teachers who are learning about the westward expansion of the United States. It begins with the Louisiana Purchase, goes through the exploration of that new land by Lewis and Clark, and includes the acquisition of Texas, including the Battle at the Alamo. The Oregon Trail and the Gold Rush and the development of mining towns are included, also. The impact of the steamboat, the steam locomotive and the telegraph, as well as the impact of all the above on Native Americans are all included. A variety of formats have been included to accommodate all learning styles and levels.
Directions for Using this Pathfinder
This pathfinder is presented in the format of an online wiki. Students can access these resources from any networked computer. Use the navigation menu located on the right of each page to access desired materials.
Each page includes the following information:
Lesson Resources
For help with searching using OPAC or browsing the library shelves as well as an annotated list of resources.
Media Resources
Visual resources can enhance students’ understanding of Westward Expansion. DVDs, United Streaming, videos and music can be found here.
Online Resources
Access to electronic resources is available here. Several web sites are included, as well as electronic versions of primary documents and other reference materials.
Print Resources
Fiction, non-fiction, and reference materials available in our school, other schools in our system, and our local library (through an inter-library loan) are listed here.
Key Words for use with OPAC
Alamo California Gold Rush Cherokee
Indians Clark William Corps of Discovery Crockett, Davy
Jefferson, Thomas Lewis, Meriwether Locomotive Louisiana Purchase
Mining Town Oregon Trail Railroad
Sacajawea Santa Anna Steamboat Telegraph
Trail of
Tears
Dewey Decimal Call Numbers
384 - Communications; Telecommunications
385 - Railroad Transportation
386 - Inland Waterway & Ferry Transport
900 - History and Geography
917 - Lewis and Clark
973 - Native Americans (Trail of Tears)
976- The Alamo (Texas)
978 - California and Oregon