Public learning track
The American West and Pacific: History, Statehood, and Diverse Cultures
9 lessons
Goal
Locate Western states and Pacific territories, trace their paths to statehood and territorial acquisition, and examine the diverse cultural communities that shaped the region.
9 lessons
0 of 9 done
- Locating the Eleven Western StatesUp next
- U.S. Territories in the Pacific: Guam, American Samoa, and Northern Mariana IslandsNot started yet
- Pacific Islands: Midway and Wake IslandNot started yet
- Statehood Timeline of the American West: 1850 to 1959Not started yet
- California, Colorado, and Utah: From Mexican Territory to the United StatesNot started yet
- Indigenous Nations of the West: Paiute, Coast Salish, and Northwest PeoplesNot started yet
- Spanish Missions, Mexican Californios, and Early European SettlersNot started yet
- Asian American Heritage: Chinese and Japanese Communities in the WestNot started yet
- African American Pioneers and Modern Global Immigrant Communities in the WestNot started yet
Standards Covered
- 4.T4e.1Massachusetts Social Studies Standards · Social Studies · Grade 5 (target) · Grade 5On a political map of the United States, locate the states in the West and the U.S. territories in the Pacific Ocean; add to the timeline the admission dates for states in the Southwest (states listed alphabetically, Alaska-1959, California-1850, Colorado-1876, Hawaii-1959, Idaho-1890, Montana-1889, Nevada-1864, Oregon-1859, Utah-1896, Washington-1889, Wyoming-1890); territories: American Samoa, Guam, Midway Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and Wake Island.
- 4.T4e.2Massachusetts Social Studies Standards · Social Studies · Grade 5 (target) · Grade 5Explain that California, Colorado, and Utah were territories that belonged to Mexico and were taken by the United States as a result of the Mexican-American War 1846-1848.
- 4.T4e.3Massachusetts Social Studies Standards · Social Studies · Grade 5 (target) · Grade 5Describe the diverse cultural nature of the region, including contributions of Native Peoples (e.g., Paiute, Coast Salish) African Americans, Europeans (e.g. the Spanish in California), the Mexicans, the Chinese, Japanese, and immigrant groups from other regions of the world over time.
Curriculum Framework
3rd Grade · Social Studies · US-MA-SS
1
8 lessons
Geography and Physical Landforms of North America
Identify and locate the major landforms, bodies of water, and physical regions of North America using map skills and geographic tools.
2
9 lessons
Political Geography and Neighbors of North America
Distinguish between continents, countries, states, provinces, and cities while investigating Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean nations.
3
9 lessons
Ancient Civilizations and Archaeology in North America
Evaluate theories of human migration to the Americas, examine archaeological methods, and analyze ancient indigenous civilizations and heritage sites.
4
10 lessons
Early European Exploration and Atlantic Encounters
Analyze primary sources to trace 15th- and 16th-century European voyages, conquests, motives, and early interactions with Indigenous nations.
5
10 lessons
Westward Expansion and Territorial Growth of the United States
Explain how transportation innovations, territorial acquisitions, and pioneer migrations expanded the United States from 1791 to 1898.
6
7 lessons
Migration, Labor, and the Division Over Slavery
Examine voluntary and forced migrations to the United States and analyze how conflicts over slavery's western expansion led to the Civil War.
7
10 lessons
The Northeast Region: Geography, Statehood, and Society
Locate Northeastern states and capitals, construct regional maps, trace statehood timelines, and examine human-environment adaptation and cultural diversity.
8
10 lessons
The Southeast Region: Geography, People, and Environment
Locate Southeastern states and Caribbean territories, analyze cultural diversity, examine natural disasters, and map state features.
9
7 lessons
Washington, D.C.: The Nation's Capital and Civic Life
Describe the role of Washington, D.C. as the national capital and explore its landmark institutions, monuments, and civic significance.
10
11 lessons
The Midwest: Geography, History, and Culture
Locate the twelve Midwestern states, explain their statehood timeline, analyze regional cultural diversity, understand responses to natural disasters, and construct a detailed thematic state map.
11
11 lessons
The Southwest: Borderlands, History, and Geography
Locate the Southwestern states, analyze their transition from Mexican territory to U.S. statehood, celebrate diverse cultural heritages, examine environmental challenges, and construct a regional map.
12
9 lessons
The American West and Pacific: History, Statehood, and Diverse Cultures
Locate Western states and Pacific territories, trace their paths to statehood and territorial acquisition, and examine the diverse cultural communities that shaped the region.
13
4 lessons
The American West: Environment, Hazards, and Landmarks
Examine the environmental hazards of the West, community disaster response, iconic national parks, and physical mapping skills.