It's September! (ages 12-18)
Westward Expansion – A Homeschool Guide for Ages 12–18
It’s September, so saddle up because History Plus is taking your family back to the 1800s—the era of Westward Expansion!
The era of westward expansion ushered in a wave of hope and opportunity, marked by thrilling new beginnings and the start of the legendary allure of cowboys! It was a time when vast landscapes awaited discovery, and adventurous spirits set out to carve out their destinies in the untamed frontier.
But how much of this was true?
Free Learning Resources
Even if you are not part of the History Plus family, there are many ways to learn about Westward Expansion! Here are some free resources to help you learn more with your family:
General History Resources
- National Archives: DocsTeach Expansion Materials – Ready-to-use teaching tools with authentic documents.
- National Geographic – articles and maps.
- Scholastic Inc. for books, downloads and quizzes on both the Civil War and western expansion.
- The Clever Teacher a resource for parents teaching about western expansion
Videos & Documentaries
- PBS American Experience: Transcontinental Railroad
- Westward Expansion: Crash Course US History
- Learning Liftoff
Hands-On Activities & Projects
Learning about a topic through reading is great, but nothing beats diving in and getting some hands-on experience—it really helps the information stick! Here are some fun ideas for hands-on activities:
- Primary Source Journaling: Have your family write diary entries from the perspective of a settler, a miner, or a railroad worker.
- Mapping the Trails: Use historic maps to trace the Oregon, Santa Fe, and Mormon Trails, comparing them with modern highways.
- Trail Food Cooking Challenge! Research and prepare simple pioneer foods, such as johnnycakes, hardtack, or beans, over a fire/stovetop.
Books! (12–18)
Everyone has their unique way of learning, and for some, the magic happens through the pages of a book! here are some books to check out:
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- Dear America series. – Scholastic books
- Caddie Woodlawn – Carol Ryrie Brink
- And more!
History Plus Can Bring It All Together
At History Plus, we don’t just hand students a textbook—we bring history alive through:
- Engaging video lessons designed for ages 12–18.
- Printable worksheets and answers.
- A discussion section to share ideas and ask questions.
This month we’re covering:
- The Louisiana Purchase and Lewis & Clark’s expedition.
- What the Wild West was really like.
- The life of a Pioneer.
- Learn about extraordinary individuals like the infamous Butch Cassidy.
- Railroads, Gold Rushes, and over 25 other topics!
Our Westward Expansion unit is just one step in a year-long journey through world history and geography. Each month, new topics challenge your teens to think critically and connect the past to the present.
