Social Studies Unit 5: Westward Expanison: Student Links Only

This page contains the same information as my Westward Expansion Unit page, but with only the links that were put there to assist with student research and learning. Teachers looking for content should go to the main page linked to above. Here are the links that can help students in research and learning:

• Oregon Trail
• Play the original Oregon Trail computer game here: Students love playing this old school game, they actually play it over and over again. Many students have said it's their favorite all time video game. Not bad for a game I used to play when I was in elementary school.
• Oregon Trail Interactive Map: A good map with clickable information.
• Oregon Trail Facts for Kids
• Mormon Trail
• Simple Information on the Mormon Trail
• The Mormon Trail: A Photographic Exhibit
• California Trail
• The California Trail at legendsofamerica.com: Good information about the trail with a map.
• Basic information about the California Trail: A pdf document that is kid friendly, with a timeline.
• Santa Fe Trail
• A Large, Detailed Map of the Santa Fe Trail (jpeg format)
• santafetrailresearch.com: The name says it all.
• Butterfield Overland Trail
• Butterfield Overland Trail Historical Marker in Mesilla: This has special significance to my classroom because this marker is located less than a mile from our school.
• Butterfield Stage Information: Some basic facts.
• Butterfield Overland Trail Map: A very detailed and high quality map provide by the National Park Service. I've linked to it from my Google Drive so that it can be opened up in the web browser, the original can be downloaded at the PEPC website HERE.
• Pony Express
• Pony Express Interactive Timeline: This was created with a younger audience in mind, but provides good, beginner level information in an interactive slideshow.
• Fur Trade
• Fur Trade Facts: Some basic facts about the trade.
• Mountain Men and the Fur Trade: Includes an interactive museum tour, and a gallery of image links. Lots of good information here. 
• Empire of the Bay: A high quality, interactive presentation with information about the Hudson Fur Traders of the Atlantic North East.
• Map of Fur Trade Routes From Canada: A jpeg image.
• California Gold Rush
• PBSkids Interactive Information on the Gold Rush: A neat presentation of many facts about the gold rush.
• The California Gold Rush at Kidport: The site has a good timeline and kid friendly information.
• Major Strikes of the California Gold Rush: At PBS.org, a good map with clickable information about each strike location.
• Transcontinental Railroad
• A One Page Overview: Provided by the BLM, in pdf format. A second page lists lesson vocabulary.
• An Overview of the History
• Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum: Some good photos are here, if you can get past the red background that gives me a headache.
• Some maps: An interactive Flash map provided by PBS, a page with many maps provided by the Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum.
• Trail of Tears
• Trail of Tears Fast Facts: A fact sheet provided by kidskonnect.com.
• The Indian Removal Act: Very kid friendly information about this act that led to the Trail of Tears.
• Information at NativeIndianTribes.com: Some good information, it's also kid friendly.
• The Trail of Tears, by Robert Lindeaux: A short description of a very good painting depicting the Trail of Tears.
• Interactive Map: A high quality presentation by PBS, has lots of maps and information.
• Homestead Act
• The Homestead Act Facts: Some basics for kids to get started on some research.
• Short Reading of Homestead Act Information: There are some good facts here.
• Lewis & Clark
• Lewis & Clark Facts in Timeline Form: Good starter information.
• Lewis & Clark Game: A Choose Your Own Adventure style game, provided by National Geographic.
• Lewis & Clark Timeline: Includes biographies on both men as well.
• Smithsonian Education Presentation on Lewis & Clark: TONS of information available here, including the history surrounding the expedition.
• Lewis & Clark Maps: Some good maps: LewisandClark.com, LewiClark.net, a very nice pdf printable map, and a Google Maps interactive map.