Manifest Destiny Inquiry

Students will learn about manifest destiny and westward expansion through inquiry. They will then create a piece of art to represent manifest destiny using the famous painting "American Progress".

Duration
Multiple days
Lesson Type
Project Based Lesson

Essential Question

What was manifest destiny?

Grade(s):

  • 5

Subject(s):

Recommended Technology:

Individual laptops to complete inquiry questions.

Other Instructional Materials or Notes:

You may do this lesson as an individual lesson or as a whole group investigation. 

Lesson Progression

Day 1:

  • Look at the map (posted in resources) of the Louisiana Purchase 
  • Ask students "What do you notice?"
  • How did we “expand?”
  • What do you notice about the new sections of land?
  • Pass out the Infographic: of the Louisiana Purchase
    • Have them make observations first about the map.
    • See questions on the infographic to lead a discussion
    • Why was this purchase so important?
    • Do you believe this was a good deal?
    • Why or why not?
  • Have students create a real estate poster like they have the piece of land for sale. They must include accurate information on the poster (actual cost, the correct amount of land, etc).



Day 2: 

Review the Louisiana Purchase. 

  • why was this a big deal?

Next, students will study the Manifest Destiny Image

  • Have students make observations about the image. 
  • What do they notice?
  • What predictions can they make?
  • What do you think this means?
  • Have students watch the Video: Manifest Destiny
  • Exit Ticket (resources)

 

Days 3-4

Pull up the painting again. 

  • Explain to students that the painting shows the belief of Manifest Destiny. 
  • Tell students that they are going to research more about Manifest Destiny using the link given (in resources). They may also use other resources they find.
  • They are then going to create their own artwork that represents Manifest Destiny. 
  • Encourage students to be creative!
  • After they create their artwork, they will write a paragraph about why their image represents the events that occurred during manifest destiny. 

 

Infographic-Day 1

Infographic that teaches students about the Louisiana Purchase.

View Resource

American Progress Image

Image that will guide the inquiry of manifest destiny.

View Resource

Manifest Destiny Video

Video that teaches about Manifest Destiny through memes. (day 2)

View Resource

Exit Ticket

Exit ticket to check understanding of Manifest Destiny/westward expansion.

**make a copy**

View Resource

Research Link

Resource for students to research on their own about Manifest Destiny

View Resource