Joseph Luebbe

EDUC 687
November 28, 2014

Westward Expansion Assessment

Standards Achieved
a. Evaluate a historical source for point of view and historical context (History
1a, CDE).
b. Analyze ideas critical to the understanding of American history (History 3e,
CDE).

Learning Targets
a. I will be able to evaluate a historical source for point of view and historical
context by researching and analyzing primary documents from pioneers that
endured the trip west.
b. I will be able to analyze ideas critical to the understanding of American
history by creating a newspaper based on Frontier life and the journey west.

Overview
During this unit, we are going to be covering the Westward Expansion of the United
States by colonists, as well as the concept Manifest Destiny. An excellent way for
us to better understand this historical time period is to put ourselves in the shoes of
people who lived at that time. In this lesson, we will work in groups to create
newspapers from particular locations or regions on the 19th-century frontier. You
will research Frontier life and compile your findings into news and feature articles,
editorials, and other reports hat might have appeared in actual frontier newspapers.

Stage One (November 4th November 20th)

During this lesson we will be keeping a journal. At the end of every lesson we will
record a brief summary of the lesson and how life would have been affected by the
topics covered in the lesson. The journal entries will be collected and are worth 20
points of the assignment.

Stage Two (November 20th November 25th)

Once we have completed the unit, we will form groups of three to begin the
newspaper writing research. Using your journal notes and primary documents from

the time, brainstorm and list of 9 topics that would have been covered in a Frontier
newspaper. The topics brainstorming list will be collected and is worth 20 points.

Stage Three (November 25th December 9th)

After you have brainstormed ideas for the content of the newspaper, begin writing
and illustrating articles to put in your newspaper. There will be a total of 9 articles
(at least 6 sentences each) and at least 3 illustrations, including a map. For your
illustrations, they may be black and white or color. Be creative and have fun with
this assignment! Refer to the rubric for specific expectations. The newspaper is worth
a total of 160 points. Each section of the rubric is worth 20 points apiece.

Rubric
Accuracy

No mistakes,
scholarly and
accurate.
Excellent
knowledge of
the topic
shown

Few if any
mistakes,
any mistakes
must be
minor in
nature, very
good
knowledge of
the topic
shown.

Some, but
not many,
mistakes
made, good
knowledge
shown.

Several
mistakes
made, fair
knowledge
of the topic
shown.

Many
mistakes
made. Does
not show an
adequate
knowledge of
the topic.

Use of
historical
details

Used many
details in a
thorough and
expert manner.

Used many
details to
illustrate
topic.

Used some
details to
illustrate
topic

Used one
or two
details,
alluded to
details
vaguely.

Used no
historical
details. Made
factual errors.

Demonstrated
learning and
understanding

Applied
integrated
concepts;
made
connections
between facts
and ideas.

Clearly
understood
topic well.

Understood
topic.

Followed
directions,
had a basic
knowledge
of the topic.

Thinking not
justified; no
evidence that
knowledge
was acquired.

Mechanics

Grammar
and/or artwork
were without
flaws and
professional in
nature.

Grammar
and/or
artwork are
quality in
nature.

Occasional
errors but
not enough
to distract.

Distracting
errors,
difficult to
read.

Fragmented
sentences
and grammar.
Art completed
in a
haphazard
manner. Very
difficult to
understand

(Grammar and
Art)

Neat and
orderly

Professional
appearance

Quality
appearance

Neat and
orderly,
easy to
follow.

Moderately
neat,
almost
distracting.

Lacks
neatness and
orderliness.
Hard to
understand

Word Usage

Word choice
and usage are
professional.

Word choice
makes piece
interesting.

Word
choice
simple but
acceptable.

Some
mistakes in
word
choice and
usage.
Could be
clearer.

Word choice
is inadequate
or
inappropriate.

Message

Message flows
and is
passionate.

Message is
clear and
easy to
understand.

Message
can be
understood.

Message
not easily
understood.

Very hard to
understand
message.

Creativity

Very clever;
creatively
designed

Displays
creative
thinking

Shows
some
creative
thinking

Lacks
creativity

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