* This nonfiction title for ages 9 through 12 introduces the relationship between human populations and the physical world while integrating social sciences, politics, economics, and culture.
* Introduces readers to the concepts and vocabulary of Westward Expansion.
* Readers will learn critical thinking and textual analysis through hands-on activities.
* Enrichment activities integrate STEAM skills and encourage readers to engage in the material at a practical level.
* Excerpts of primary sources and links to online primary sources enhance the narrative and engage readers in historical analysis.
* Introduces the relevant topic of Westward Expansion to 9-12 year olds.
* Encourages readers to connect historic events to present-day political issues, such as, diversity, migration, and immigration.
* Meets the curriculum standards for the National Council for Social Studies (NCSS).
* Uses an inquiry-based approach to encourage readers to reach their own conclusions about the significance of this time in history.
* Meets the civic ideals and practices and power, authority, and governance standards for the National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies.
* Meets the Common Core state standards in language arts for reading informational text.
* Guided Reading Levels and Lexile measurements indicate grade level and text complexity.

 

There are 128 pages in this book. This book was published 2017 by Nomad Press .

Karen Bush Gibson: Karen Bush Gibson is the author of more than 30 nonfiction books for children and a member of the Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators. One of her books about women aviators was named a 2014 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People by the NCSS and a selection in Air & Space/Smithsonian`s Best Children's Books of 2013 roundup of aviation and space-themed books. She wrote Marine Biology: Cool Women Who Dive for Nomad Press. Karen lives in Norman, Oklahoma. Tom Casteel is an illustrator and cartoonist with a master's degree from the Center for Cartoon Studies. Tom has illustrated several books for Nomad Press, including The Brain: Journey Through the Universe Inside Your Head ; Cities: Discover How They Work ; and Human Migration: Investigate the Global Journey of Humankind . Tom lives in South Bend, Indiana.

This book has the following chapters:

Map

Timeline

Introduction: The Journey Begins

Paint the Oregon Trail

Chapter 1: A Land Deal

Examine the Words of Thomas Jefferson

Write a Treaty

How Did the Louisiana Purchase Change America?

Mapping the Changes of the United States

Where in the World Are You?

Exploring the Monroe Doctrine and Manifest Destiny

Chapter 2: Exploring the West

Preserving Plants

Mapping Lewis and Clark and the Overland Astorians

Create a Storyboard of Sacagawea's Life

Chapter 3: New Beginnings

Keep a Journal

Political Cartooning

Write a Letter

Create a Newspaper

Chapter 4: Life on the Trail

Water Purification

Drying Fruit

Packing for a Trip

Making Moccasins

Chapter 5: The End of the Trail

Homesteading

Graffiti

Build a Fort

Chapter 6: The Transcontinental Railroad

Through the Eyes of a Native American Teen

Where Do You Come From?

Reporting on the Transcontinental Railroad

Mapping the Railroads

Glossary

Resources

Essential Questions

Index