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Westward Expansion Websites and Videos for Students
Looking for Westward Expansion websites and videos to share with your students? If so, this is the list for you. It is a roundup of engaging and informative websites and videos for students all about the Westward Expansion.
Kids have access to see, listen to, and read about more than ever before. We can leverage that to our advantage! When we partner with students as they explore the digital realm of the world, we can provide the guidance and tools they need to learn to safely navigate it. You can read more about using websites and videos in the classroom here.
If you’re ready to dive into this list of websites and videos, you can click through the navigation below or keep scrolling. Click on the images to access the resources listed. Be sure to preview all resources to determine age-appropriateness before sharing them with your students.
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Lewis and Clark
Meriwether Lewis’ Expedition Packing List
“In preparation for the journey, Meriwether Lewis wrote a list of necessary items to be taken.”
Texas and the War with Mexico
The Alamo’s Revolution Timeline
Students can explore this interactive timeline that includes photographs and primary source documents alongside key event dates and summaries.
The Oregon Trail
Smithsonian’s “What the Oregon Trail Looks Like Today”
This short 2-minute video includes a map, mention of a few landmarks, and a birds’-eye view of what the Oregon Trail looks like today.
The California Gold Rush
U.S. Mint’s “California Gold Rush” Game
Students use the arrow keys to try to catch gold while avoiding debris.
Transcontinental Railroad
Union Pacific’s “The Great Race to Promontory Point”
This website includes an interactive map of the race to build the transcontinental railroad between the Central Pacific and Union Pacific. Students can follow the journey chronologically or click around as needed. There are primary source images, facts, and short summaries included for each key location passed during the building process.
St. Louis & the Gateway Arch
Gateway Arch Live Webcams
On the Gateway Arch National Park Foundation’s website, you can see a live webcam from the top of the Gateway Arch from both East and West views.
FREE VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP
“In this time of digital education, Gateway Arch National Park presents a new way for park rangers to contribute to classroom learning: virtual visits!
With this new offering, educators can coordinate a virtual classroom visit with a park ranger. The class features interpretational programming highlighting an agreed-upon historical theme of Gateway Arch National Park: French colonial history in St. Louis, Lewis & Clark, westward expansion, American Indians, civil rights, the Dred Scott Decision, Virginia Minor, the construction of the Gateway Arch, or park ranger careers. Park rangers will lead the interactive class, which may include engaging components such as activity worksheets.
These virtual classroom visits can serve any grade and age and are free for educators.”
