Lewis & Clark Site Map

CONNECTION TO LEWIS AND CLARK
The political and economic purposes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition are often obscured by an idealized version of the journey as a purely scientific venture, a romantic allegory of humankind versus nature, or even as a grand adventure. None of those versions are completely wrong. The story by itself is a compelling adventure tale, and the scientific achievements were considerable. Nevertheless, Lewis and Clark were well aware that their primary objective was to assess the feasibility of expanding the United States farther west and opening it up for settlement in Indian territories. Two hundred years later, many of the changes in the West reflect those original motives.

OVERVIEW OF THIS ACTIVITY
Students examine how and why certain aspects of the ecological zones (from the previous research activity) have changed over time after which they assess the positive and negative results of the changes. Groups make contact with organizations that are working to reverse negative effects of change in their assigned zone. They also contact American Indian organizations to learn what changes have occurred in the cultures of peoples who were living in that zone at the time of the expedition.

PURPOSE(S):
To identify changes to the environment resulting from westward expansion; to learn what various groups are doing across America to restore some of the environmental losses caused by westward expansion; to examine the effects of westward expansion on western American Indian tribes; to learn what tribal groups are doing today to restore and maintain their traditional cultures.

MATERIALS NEEDED/TOOLS NEEDED

• Copy paper
• Computer with printer and Internet access
• Copy machine
• Paper cutter and stapler

ADVANCE PREPARATIONS

1. Download AMERICAN WEST TODAY ASSIGNMENT SHEETS (seven sheets).
   

   Eastern Woodlands	Tall Grass Prairie
   High Plains	Rocky Mountains
   Columbia/Snake River Basins	Pacific Sea Coast
   Temperate Rainforest

   Each zone sheet contains five assignments pertaining specifically to that zone. This arrangement will accommodate thirty-five students--seven zones times five assignment topics per zone. For fewer students, teachers may assign more than one ecological zone to a group, or more than one assignment card per person to make sure that all the zones and assignments are represented.
2. Download worksheets: THE AMERICAN WEST TODAY: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS. Make one copy per student.
3. Select a place to carry out the research where there is access to various types of resource materials and tools. If you intend to use either a school or public library, notify the librarian well ahead of time.

IMPLEMENTATION
Research Phase: Divide the class into groups representing the ecological zones of the West. NOTE: Students who participated in the previous activity (THE REAL WEST: LEWIS AND CLARK ON THE TRAIL, 1804-06) may remain in the same ecological research groups as before. For classes that did not take part, use the chart below for dividing the class into ecological groups. Divide the class into groups as follows:

1. Hand out assignment worksheets, and have students meet with their groups. Each group elects a leader to chair the meetings and coordinate the work.
2. Go over directions for the project with students:
   a. Group members search in books or on the Internet for information about the topics printed on their assignment cards.
   b. Students contact organizations connected with their topics as called for on their assignment sheets.
   c. Students record their findings on a special worksheet: THE AMERICAN WEST TODAY: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS.

Presentation Phase: Sharing the Information: Curriculum writers are aware that most history and social studies teachers cannot spend weeks studying the Lewis and Clark Expedition by itself. However, this unit is designed to fulfill educational standards in other subjects as well. Standards for language arts, visual arts, logic, drama, writing, music, cooperative learning, and many more areas are addressed. For a complete listing, click on STANDARDS AND M-I CHARTS H, I, J.

In addition, the lessons and activities in this unit may be used singly or as a whole. Whether you go the entire route with a Lewis and Clark festival (outlined in Lesson Plan 4), or a single activity, click on PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: A LEWIS AND CLARK FESTIVAL for follow up activities through which students share the information they have collected.