Westward Expansion Project

Groups

• No more than 5 People in a group

Roles

• Mexican-American War
• U.S. soldier
• Mexican soldier
• Mexican civilian affected by the war
• Trail of Tears (Various Perspectives)
• Native American being forced to move
• Soldier enforcing removal
• Oregon Trail
• Pioneer family moving west
• Mormon Trail
• Mormon settler traveling west
• California Gold Rush
• Person moving west for fortune
• Forty-Niner miner
• Chinese immigrant laborer
• Merchant or shop owner

Video Production Overview

• You will create a 3–6 minute video that explains your topic in detail.�Your video should:
• Teach the class about your topic
• Explain historical events and people
• Show the perspective of your chosen group
• Be historically accurate

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Bringing Your Topic to Life

• Visual Aids: Maps of westward trails, drawings, posters, timelines, or images
• Acting / Role-Play: Dress up or act as people from the time period
• Voiceovers: Narrate explanations, reflections, or diary entries over images, maps, or video clips
• Editing: Add titles, transitions, captions, and appropriate background music to improve clarity

Research

• Provided Text
• YouTube
• Google
• Textbook

Storyboard

• Before filming, create a storyboard or outline that shows:
1. Scene order
2. Dialogue or narration
3. Visuals or props you will use

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Script Writing

• Write a script using clear, student-friendly language.�Your script must:
• Stay in historical perspective (first-person encouraged)
• Include accurate historical details
• Clearly explain the experience of your chosen group

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Ideas

• Life on the Trail: Video Diary
• Breaking News: Westward Expansion
• Survival Guide Documentary
• Gold Rush: Dreams vs. Reality

Video Production

• 2 to 6 Minute Video
• Explain and teach your topic to the class
• Get Creative
• Sketch
• Song
• Music Video

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Examples