Student Application

Discover the history of the land and of the people who settled the West Region of the United States.

Learning Objectives

1. Students will know about the Spanish exploration and settlement of the West. Spanish explorers, called conquistadors, sailed along the California coast in 1542. They were searching for a waterway that many thought connected the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Soon, Spain settled much of the west and set up trade with ports as...
   
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Supporting Activities

1. Ask students to choose one person or group of people in the history of the Western Region that he/she believes made a significant impact on the region. Encourage students to use the video, textbook, and library resources to support their argument. Have each person present his or her argument to the class. If students have opposing views, encourage ...
   
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Student Application

Explore the environment, climate and natural resources of the West Region of the United States.

Learning Objectives

1. Students will be able to list the eleven states that make up the Western Region.
   1. Six of these states are called the Mountain States, because they border the Rocky Mountains. The Mountain States include Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Utah, and Nevada.
   2. The other...
      
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Supporting Activities

1. Have students work in groups to prepare a creative extension to any one of the topics covered in the video. For example, students who choose climate might build a model of farmland that requires irrigation due to dry weather. Students who choose natural resources may want to present the class with examples and explain their importance (i.e. gold, l...
   
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