This 3-page 5th grade check covers westward expansion in three parts. Page 1 has five multiple choice questions on the Louisiana Purchase, Sacagawea, the 1848 gold discovery, the Oregon Trail and the 1869 railroad. Page 2 asks students to number four events in order and name two challenges pioneers faced on wagon trails. Page 3 is the answer key with dates for the ordering task.
“Recall key people, places and events of westward expansion.”
Questions 1 to 5 on page 1 name the Louisiana Purchase, Sacagawea, gold, the Oregon Trail and the railroad.
“Put events from westward expansion in chronological order.”
Question 6 on page 2 orders the Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clark, the Gold Rush and the railroad.
Five questions with three options each, from which 1803 land deal doubled the size of the country to how the 1869 railroad changed travel.
A table of four events to number from 1 to 4: the Gold Rush, the Louisiana Purchase, the finished railroad and Lewis and Clark setting out.
One question asking students to name two challenges pioneers faced while traveling west on wagon trails, with three lines to write on.
The five correct options, the order 3, 1, 4 and 2 with dates, and sample challenges such as sickness, river crossings and broken wheels.
End of unit
Give it once the class has finished westward expansion. The questions are recall, so most students finish in one sitting.
Order the events
Let students check question 6 against the class timeline afterward. The Gold Rush and the railroad are the two most often swapped.
Short answer
Question 7 asks only about pioneers. Add a question on how Native nations were affected if your unit covers it.
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