Manifest Destiny US Mexican War Visual Summary Picture Sort (baggies) Hands-On

Every year I am behind with my curriculum when I get to the U.S. Mexican War and Manifest Destiny. I needed a way to quickly go over the “basics” but keep it active for my students. I came up with this strategy that I call “visual summary” that has worked really well with all levels of my students!

Please note! This is NOT meant to be an in-depth study of the U.S. Mexican War or Manifest Destiny. It is a basic summary activity and focuses on the topics mentioned below this description.

In this lesson, students are put in groups of 2 or 3. Student #1 is the reader of a 2 page summary of Manifest Destiny/U.S. Mexican War, which is included in this purchase. Student(s) #2/#3 are the picture sorters. They hear cues from the reader and sort pictures (you cut them up and put them in baggies) relating to the summary in the order they hear them. After they are finished, they put the summary away and “retell” the story of Manifest Destiny and the U.S. Mexican War to their group using only the pictures. You could extend this easily into a writing assignment.

After they are finished, you can assess their learning with the assessment page (using the visuals) I’ve included.

What your will receive in this purchase:

-detailed instructions for the teacher

-picture of the the picture sort (after a student completed it) for reference

-2 page summary (see topics listed below) with picture number cues

-pictures to cut out for students (to be put in baggies for each group)

-assessment

Manifest Destiny/U.S. Mexican War topics covered:

Louisiana Purchase (briefly)

Texas Revolution

Texas Annexation

California

Causes and Effects of the U.S. - Mexican War

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo

Oregon Territory

Gadsden Purchase

Manifest Destiny