Westward Expansion Reading Passages
Reading Results
Americans Move West: The Oregon Trail
This engaging history passage explores the Oregon Trail and the westward movement of Americans in the 1800s. Students wi...
D2.HIS.1-4.3-5RI.4.3RI.4.4RI.5.3
Life as a Pioneer Family
This history reading passage explores the daily life of a pioneer family as they moved west and settled on new land in A...
D2.HIS.2.3-5D2.HIS.3.3-5RI.4.3RI.4.4
Building Log Cabin Homes
This engaging history reading passage explores the process and significance of building log cabin homes in the early Ame...
D2.HIS.2.3-5D2.HIS.3.3-5RI.4.3RI.4.4
Cowboys and Cattle Drives
This engaging U.S. History reading passage introduces students to the world of cowboys and cattle drives, a key part of ...
D2.HIS.1-4.3-5RI.4.3RI.4.4RI.5.3
The California Gold Rush and Forty-Niners
This reading passage explores the California Gold Rush and the brave people known as the 'Forty-Niners.' Students will l...
D2.HIS.1-4.3-5RI.4.1RI.4.3RI.4.4
Boomtowns Spring Up Out West
This engaging passage explores the exciting rise of boomtowns in the American West during the 1800s, focusing on the Gol...
D2.HIS.2.3-5D2.HIS.14.3-5RI.4.3RI.4.4
The Transcontinental Railroad Built
This passage explores the inspiring story of the Transcontinental Railroad, a major achievement in U.S. history. Student...
D2.HIS.1-4.3-5D2.GEO.1-3.3-5RI.4.1RI.4.3
Life in a Frontier Town
This passage explores the daily life and challenges faced by people living in a frontier town in the early United States...
D2.HIS.1-4.3-5RI.4.3RI.4.4W.4.2
Stagecoaches and the Pony Express
This engaging U.S. history reading passage introduces students to the exciting era of stagecoaches and the Pony Express ...
D2.HIS.1-6.3-5RI.4.3RI.4.4RI.4.10
Homestead Act: Free Land for Settlers
This engaging history reading passage explores the Homestead Act and its impact on American settlers moving west. Studen...
D2.HIS.1-4.3-5RI.4.3RI.4.4
Dangers on the Oregon Trail
This reading passage explores the many dangers faced by pioneers on the Oregon Trail, one of the most significant journe...
D2.HIS.1-4.3-5RI.4.1RI.4.3RI.4.4
Women's Hard Work on the Frontier
This reading passage explores the important role of women on the American frontier. Students will learn how women faced ...
D2.HIS.2.3-5D2.HIS.3.3-5RI.4.1RI.4.3
Manifest Destiny: Coast to Coast
This engaging U.S. history reading passage explores Manifest Destiny and the westward expansion of the United States. St...
D2.HIS.1.3-5D2.HIS.2.3-5RI.4.3RI.4.4
The Texas Revolution and the Alamo
This engaging history reading passage introduces students to the Texas Revolution and the Battle of the Alamo, key momen...
D2.HIS.1-6.3-5RI.4.1RI.4.3W.4.2
Mexican-American War and New Territory
This passage explores the Mexican-American War and the new territory gained by the United States. Students will learn ab...
D2.HIS.1.3-5D2.HIS.2.3-5D2.HIS.16.3-5RI.4.1
Native Americans Lose Their Lands: The Trail of Tears
This reading passage explores the story of the Trail of Tears, focusing on the experiences of Native Americans as they l...
D2.HIS.1-4.3-5RI.4.3RI.4.4RI.4.7
Broken Treaties and Forced Removal
This passage explores the history of broken treaties and forced removal of Native Americans in the United States. It hig...
D2.HIS.1-3.3-5D2.HIS.14.3-5RI.4.3RI.4.4