Louisiana Purchase & Westward Expansion Activities | 3rd–5th grade

Bring westward expansion to life with this 17-page activity bundle designed for 3rd–5th graders! Students explore the Louisiana Purchase, Lewis & Clark, the Oregon and California Trails, pioneer life, the Indian Removal Act, the Trail of Tears, and the dramatic population changes in Native and non-Native communities during the 1800s.

This resource includes nonfiction readings, hands-on games, mapping activities, math integration, line graphs, critical-thinking questions, and interactive cut-and-paste projects. Every activity is based on the included student pages, making this a perfect print-and-go resource for classrooms and homeschool families.

✨ What’s Included (17 Pages- 4 activities)

1. Louisiana Purchase Reading Passage & Math Activity "What a Deal!"

The reading passage includes student-friendly explanation of why the U.S. bought the Louisiana Territory, how it doubled the nation’s size, and Lewis & Clark’s expedition. Then, students will calculate the cost per sq. mile and cost per acre in 1803 and today to compare to modern land prices in this simple, step-by-step math exercise. Best for 5th-grade students- multiplication and division required.

2. Covered Wagon Game (Oregon Trail Packing Activity)

This fan-favorite game has students choose supplies based on weight and necessity for their wagon that can hold up to 1,000 pounds while traveling the Oregon Trail. Students cut and paste the items they've chosen onto the wagon template provided. The teacher then reads out as many of the realistic trail event cards as they would like (12 provided). Based on the supplies chosen, students will either gain or lose points. A scorecard is provided for students to keep track of their points along the way.
*Adaptable for 1-1 learning- If a student is playing by themselves (rather than in a classroom setting), the student can simply play multiple times and try to beat their score by making adjustments from their learnings each time.

3. Westward Expansion Reading Passage & Mapping Activity

The reading passage explains Lewis & Clark’s journey, why families moved west, dangers on the trails, and how the expansion shaped the country. Then, students shade the Louisiana Purchase, label rivers, mark key locations, and draw the routes of Lewis & Clark, the Oregon Trail, and the California Trail, using instructions and a blank map provided. Additional sources (internet or other books) will be needed. Answer Key included.

4. The Removal of Native Americans Reading Passage & Graphing Activity

A reading passage about the historic explanation of the Indian Removal Act, the Trail of Tears, the Gold Rush’s impact, disease, loss of land, and population decline. Students then graph population changes from 1500–1900 for Native and non-Native Americans using the given historical estimates and answer questions.

📘 Standards AlignmentC3 Framework for Social Studies (Grades 3–5)

• D2.His.1–6: Historical sequencing, cause/effect, continuity, and change
  
• D2.Geo.2–5: Mapping, regions, routes, human–environment interaction
  
• D2.Civ.12–14: Civic ideals, rights, responsibilities
  
• D2.Eco.1: Economic decision-making (land cost, expansion)
  

Common Core ELA Integration

• RI.3–5: Informational text comprehension
  
• W.3–5: Written explanations & responses
  
• SL.3–5: Discussion & reflection questions
  
• L.3–5: Academic vocabulary (expansion, territory, removal, expedition)
  

Math Integration

• Multi-step operations
  
• Graphing & data interpretation
  
• Comparing historical and modern numeric values
  

Typical State Social Studies Standards (Grades 3–5)

• Louisiana Purchase
  
• Lewis & Clark Expedition
  
• Westward migration & pioneer life
  
• Native American removal and population decline
  
• Oregon & California Trails
  
• Mapping key geographic routes
  

🎯 Perfect For

• 3rd–5th Grade Social Studies
  
• Early American History units
  
• Homeschool & co-ops
  
• Centers, enrichment, and interactive lessons

*These projects are from Unit 7 of our full-year Early American History curriculum.