Westward Expansion - A Social Studies Unit for 5th Graders

I have combined the objectives of the geography unit, the west and southwest regions unit, and westward expansion into this one unit.  Everything will be better understood being taught within a similar context.  Teaching lessons in isolation doesn't facilitate strong understanding.

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Objective 1: Analyze and compare different places using different types of maps (e.g., population density, climate, elevation, cultural regions, vegetation, historical, transportation, land use, time zone, etc.)

Objective 2: Evaluate maps drawn to different scales to determine the one most useful for describing the characteristics of a place.

Objective 3: Determine the absolute location of places chosen by the teacher and students using a map grid with latitude and longitude.

Objective 4: Describe how environmental factors influence life in the West and the Southwest.

Objective 5: Describe how businesses in the West and the Southwest use natural resources.

Objective 6: Describe the role of the West and the Southwest in the early history of the United States.

Objective 7: Describe how natural resources impact the economies of the West and the Southwest.

Objective 8: Describe the role of the West and the Southwest in the early history of the United States.

Objective 9: Compare and contrast changes in family life as people moved from one geographic region to another during the period of westward expansion.

Objective 10: Describe how people, goods, and services moved from one place or geographic region to another during westward expansion.

Objective 11: Describe how a community or state's location helps to explain its growth and development over time.

Objective 12: Describe how the competition between the American Indians and settlers for the same land affected the environment.

Objective 13: Describe the development of transportation and communication networks as the United States grew.

Enduring Understanding 1: People move for a variety of reasons.

Enduring Understanding 2: In the 1800's, the United States underwent a tremendous amount of exploration, expansion, and settlement of lands west of the Mississippi River.

Enduring Understanding 3: Westward expansion was influenced by geography and economic opportunity.

Enduring Understanding 4: Successful pioneers used collaboration, courage, and imagination to overcome challenges.

Enduring Understanding 5: Change and progress can have both positive and negative effects.

Enduring Understanding 6: Westward expansion forever altered the lives of Native Americans.