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's Westward Expansion Portfolio This unit concerns the period of westward expansion in U.S. history which has been mythologized in our nation's imagination through western films and cowboy and Indian folklore. Our class will be entering an in-depth study of this period to demystify stereotypes about the pioneer and American Indian. We will be exploring this historical period through group projects, individual research and writing assignments, anthropological readings, journaling, geography/maps, advocacy, films, poetry, primary sources and period and contemporary art. The following essential questions will guide this unit and our thinking together:
 * • Who are the Native Americans of the southwest?
 * • What does “Manifest Destiny” mean and what were the consequences of this ideology?
 * • How did westward expansion and the institution of slavery inform each other?

Over the course of the unit you will be able to answer these questions and engage your own interests. We will also encounter and come to understand the following policies, events, and concepts, all of which are essential pieces of knowledge:
 * • How are the policies of westward expansion related to the present day existence of Native Americans?

Louisiana Purchase/Jefferson War of 1812/Mexican-American War Andrew Jackson/John Ross Indian Removal Act Trail of Tears Bleeding Kansas The Transcontinental Railroad Romanticism/escapism Ethnic cleansing/ Scientific racism Assimilation “peculiar institution” American exceptionalism Self-determination Manifest Destiny

Requirements of your portfolio:
 * Writing prompts (in-class and throughout the unit, total # tbd)_
 * Poster or keynote presentations (individual or pair/group, due 2/1 and 2/2 )_
 * Diversity of Native Americans readings and writing (in class, 2/1 and 2/2)_
 * Map assessment (individual assignment in-class, due )_
 * Sense of place – journal and presentations (individual and in-class, due 2/7 and 2/8)_
 * Quiz on concepts/terms (first quiz date, 2/9 and 2/10)_
 * Film questions/written response (in-class, )___
 * Poetry comparative analysis and creative poetry writing (individual and/or group work in and out of class, )_
 * Homework readings (2/27 and 2/28)_
 * Comparative art analysis (in-class, 2/27 and 2/28)_
 * Slavery and westward expansion + the civil war (in-class reading/writing, )_
 * Current events homework (individual, due 3/2 and 3/5)_
 * Advocacy project and presentation (individual, in-class due 3/6 and 3/7)_

** Please note ** // *At the end of the unit you will have a portfolio of work that should represent increased knowledge and interest in this oft overlooked period in American history. Good luck and have fun! //
 * For all writing assignments, you are strongly encouraged to hand in a re-write if your work did not meet your or my expectations.
 * Also, documents handed out in class will be available at the following website for your convenience: http://westwardexpansionprhs.wikispaces.com/. Ms. McCabe's email is jmccabe@rsu16.org.