Industrialization, Westward Expansion, & Reform Reading Passages

Address a variety of learning styles with reading passages that also contain embedded video links! These passages are specifically designed to accompany my Industrialization, Westward Expansion, & Reform Interactive Notes, but are versatile and useful in conjunction with many other resources. These pages are easy to print-and-go OR send to your students to view through Google Classroom. If you find that your textbook is too wordy, this resource will be perfect for you!

This download contains 11 one-page reading passages covering the major topics for the Industrialization, Westward Expansion, & Reform units of U.S. History (see preview images above). Each page contains leveled text that targets a 7th-8th grade reading level.

To enhance comprehension, students can follow the embedded links to watch an appropriate video carefully chosen to align with each topic. Each video is accessible through a clickable link (if viewing digitally) and a QR code (if using a printed copy).

(All videos are publicly available on YouTube, published by reputable sources, and have been used in my own classroom. However, please screen prior to use with your students. I do not own rights to any of the videos.)

Please note that these readings are aligned strictly with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for 8th Grade Social Studies. Well-rounded history instruction will most certainly require further student inquiry and discussion on the more complex topics and events.

Other reading passages like this are available for the following units:

• Exploration & Colonization Reading Passages
• American Revolution Reading Passages
• Writing of the Constitution Reading Passages
• The Early Republic & Age of Jackson Reading Passages
• The Civil War & Reconstruction Reading Passages

• U.S. History Reading Passages BUNDLE