Westward ExpansionBook Summary: This book walks students through what would happen if they were to travel west in the United States during the 1840s and 1850s.

Links to LOC Resources:Oregon TrailWagon Train Author: Ellen Levine

…If You Traveled West in a Covered WagonScholastic Paperbacks, 1992

Brooke Alberson

What if you had to travel in a wagon?

This is a picture of a wagon that people might have used to travel west.

Since this would not hold all of your families belongings, write a paragraph about what you would bring with you.

Butter Churning The picture to the right

shows the way that people typically made butter. On the trail, they found out how to make butter by hanging milk cartons on the side of the wagon and letting it churn itself.

Our class will be making our own butter to see why they might be too tired to make it by hand at the end of the day.

Conflicts with Native Americans

There were often conflicts between the Pioneers and the Native Americans.

Write a letter to a Native American explaining why you should work together and share the land.

Standards NCSS: III. People, Places, and

Environment South Carolina Social Studies

Standard 5-2: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the continued westward expansion of the United States.

Reference Covered Wagon Butter Churning Native American Wagon Train Oregon Trail