Technology in the American History Classroom
Mini Lesson Submission
Names:
Scott Ouellet
Dave Casey
Mike DeVincenzi
District:
Lowell Public Schools
Subject:
United States History
Grade Level: 10 College
Lesson Title: US Expansionism and Nationalism
Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Frameworks Learning
Standard Addressed:
USI.26 Describe the causes, course, and consequences of America’s westward
expansion and its growing diplomatic assertiveness. Use a map of North America to
trace America’s expansion to the Civil War, including the location of the Santa Fe
and Oregon Trails.
Goal: Students will identify the newly acquired territories of the United States
between the years 1783 – 1853 and examine how these acquisitions impacted US
nationalism.
Essential Questions:
1. How did the acquisition of new territories affect US relations with each of the
following nations or groups: Native Americans, Spain, France, Great
Britain, and Mexico?
2. How did the acquisition of each new territory positively or negatively impact
US nationalism?
Learning Objectives:
1. Create a legend/key on map contained in Microsoft paint that will:
a. Identify each new territory and date it was acquired.
b. Color code the legend and corresponding territory(ies) on map.
2. Students will complete the “Inspiration” flow chart that contains the
following areas:
a. Identify the acquired territories and dates of acquisition.
b. Identify how territory was acquired and from which nation or group.
c. List advantages and disadvantages of each acquisition.
d. Answer essential questions on a writing assessment.
Materials Needed:
 Project description worksheets
 Maps
 Inspiration software


Microsoft Paint software
Primary source analysis sheets

Internet:
Avalon Project for Primary Source documents
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/18th.htm
Eyewitness to History
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/
Declaration of Independence, Treaty of Paris, Louisiana Purchase
documents, Adams-Onis Treaty, Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, Missouri
Compromise, Compromise of 1850, Mexican Cession, Indian Removal Act,
Trail of Tears, etc.
Procedure:
This is an ongoing assessment activity that students will complete over the course of the
school year. They will be scheduled periodically in the computer lab as each newly
acquired territory is introduced in their classrooms.
1. Students will complete the “Inspiration” flow chart that contains the following
areas:
a. Identify the acquired territories and dates of acquisition.
b. Identify how territory was acquired and from which nation or group.
c. List advantages and disadvantages of each acquisition.
d. Answer essential questions on a writing assessment.
2. Create a legend/key on map contained in Microsoft paint that will:
To edit the map with Microsoft paint right click on the map and select “Bitmap Image
Object.” Select “Edit” and the map will open in Microsoft paint.
a. Identify each new territory and date it was acquired
b. Color code the legend and corresponding territory(ies) on map.
Assessment:
Formative:
1. The formative assessment will be the completion of required sections of the
Inspiration flow chart and the legend and map.
2. Teachers will formatively assess students in computer lab by conferencing
with them on a continuing basis.
Summative:
The summative assessment will be the completion of the map and legend,
and the inspiration flow chart.
2. Students will also be graded on their answers to the two essential questions.
1.
U.S. Expansion
Essential
Questions
List Advantages and
Challe nges to each
Te rritory Aquired.
Identify Te rritory or Territorie s
Gained between 1783 and 1853.
How did the acquisition of new
territories affect US relations
with each of the following
nations or groups: Native
Americans, Spain, France, Great
Britain, and Mexico.
Treaty of Paris
Advantages
___________________________
___________________________
Disadvantages
____________________________
____________________________
How did the acquisition of each
new territory positively or
negatively impact US nationalism?
List From Which Country or Group did
the U.S. gain the territory
1783
1783
___________________________
___________________________