Grab-and-Go Emergency Sub Plan: Westward Expansion Readers Theater

Got the dreaded 6 a.m. fever text? Keep your U.S. History (1801 – 1861) unit moving—no matter who’s covering your class—with this turnkey Readers Theater lesson. Everything lives in one digital folder, so a substitute can click, print, and roll.

Why It Works for “U.S. History 7” & “American History Foundations” Periods

• Zero Setup: Ten-scene script (≈25 min) + auto-graded Google Forms quiz.
• Built-in Vocabulary: SAT-level words such as fervor & ratification.
• Standards Alignment: CCSS RH.6-8.1-8.7 already mapped.

45-Minute Bell-Schedule Outline

1. Warm-Up (5): Project the essential question—“How did new territory reshape American identity?”
2. Cast & First Read (20): Students highlight roles & annotate causes/effects in margins.
3. Second Read + Table Reads (15): Focus on tone and expression.
4. Exit Quiz (5): Google Forms auto-grades for the sub; scores sync when you return.

Resources the Sub Downloads in One Click

• Westward Expansion Script Folder
• FREE Missouri Compromise Sample

Need a Full Week?

Download the 10-script Westward Expansion bundle—enough for five emergency days without repeating content.