Manifest Destiny Challenge: Westward Ho!

8th Grade Project 1 week

Manifest Destiny Challenge: Westward Ho!

JOVANY G

8.8.2

8.5.2

8.8.5

8.9.4

Academic Mindset

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Purpose

Students will embark on an immersive learning journey, simulating the challenges and triumphs of westward expansion to understand the 19th-century United States' transformation through Manifest Destiny. By analyzing historical events like the Lewis and Clark expedition and the Cherokee Nation's "Trail of Tears," students will draw parallels to contemporary issues of migration and expansion. The project will culminate in a collaborative presentation where students will propose innovative solutions to modern challenges, demonstrating their understanding and engagement with historical contexts.

Learning goals

Students will identify and analyze the key factors and motivations behind the westward expansion during the 19th century, focusing on the concept of Manifest Destiny. They will explore the relationships between the U.S., its neighbors, and how these relationships influenced territorial expansion and conflicts such as the Mexican-American War. Through collaborative projects, students will critically assess the impact of these historical events on different cultural groups, particularly Native Americans and Mexican settlers, while drawing parallels to contemporary issues of migration and territorial growth.

Standards

[California] 8.8.2 - Describe the purpose, challenges, and economic incentives associated with westward expansion, including the concept of Manifest Destiny (e.g., the Lewis and Clark expedition, accounts of the removal of Indians, the Cherokees' "Trail of Tears," settlement of the Great Plains) and the territorial acquisitions that spanned numerous decades.
[California] 8.5.2 - Know the changing boundaries of the United States and describe the relationships the country had with its neighbors (current Mexico and Canada) and Europe, including the influence of the Monroe Doctrine, and how those relationships influenced westward expansion and the Mexican-American War.
[California] 8.8.5 - Discuss Mexican settlements and their locations, cultural traditions, attitudes toward slavery, land-grant system, and economies.
[California] 8.9.4 - Discuss the importance of the slavery issue as raised by the annexation of Texas and California's admission to the union as a free state under the Compromise of 1850.

Competencies

Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.

Products

Students will collaboratively create a detailed historical documentary video that explores the multifaceted impact of Manifest Destiny on various communities, including Native Americans, Mexican settlers, and American migrants. They will incorporate interviews, reenactments, and well-researched arguments to analyze the era’s influence on modern concepts of migration and expansion. As part of the process, students will also produce a digital interactive map tracing the changes in U.S. boundaries and significant events of the period, integrating personal reflections and insights into how these historical lessons apply to current global challenges.

Launch

Kick off the project with an interactive simulation where students take on the roles of different stakeholders involved in the westward expansion of the United States, such as pioneers, Native American tribes, settlers, Mexican villagers, and government officials. The classroom transforms into a dynamic map of the 19th-century United States, allowing students to physically move and negotiate territories, resources, and alliances. This immersive experience fosters a deeper understanding of Manifest Destiny and sets the stage for exploring its modern parallels.

Exhibition

Students will create and curate an interactive museum exhibit that portrays the effects of Manifest Destiny on different groups, including settlers, Indigenous peoples, and Mexican settlements. The exhibit will include maps, primary source documents, and artistic representations that students craft to illustrate the shifting boundaries and the intricate relationships influenced by the Monroe Doctrine and the Mexican-American War. Each group will present their section and reflect on how these historical events relate to contemporary issues of migration and territorial expansion in a guided tour. The exhibit will be open to other classes and families, encouraging dialogue about historical and current perspectives on expansion and migration.

Learning Journey

Empathize

Students will engage in an immersive 'Trail of Reflection' walk, interacting with stations that depict critical moments of westward expansion and Manifest Destiny, using multimedia and primary sources to empathize with the historical challenges and perspectives of those involved.

Day 1