U.S. History - Westward Expansion

Interactive Westward Expansion Readers Theater Collection (Grades 6-8)

From the Louisiana Purchase generation to the brink of the Civil War, the United States pushed its borders and its ideals westward—sparking innovation, conflict, and reform. This ten-script Readers Theater collection turns the most pivotal episodes of 1801 – 1861 into fast-paced classroom dramas that satisfy CCSS, boost oral-fluency, and ignite historical inquiry.

What Makes This Set a Teacher Time-Saver?

  • Ready-to-Print Packets—Each title includes a 10-scene script, editable teacher guide, 25-slide student deck, and self-grading Google Forms™ quiz.
  • Primary-Source Dialogue—Students quote Monroe’s 1823 address, Harriet Tubman’s coded messages, and John Brown’s chilling trial speech.
  • Diverse Perspectives—Missionaries, merchants, riders, enslaved people, politicians, reformers, & Native leaders keep every script authentic and debate-ready.
  • CCSS Alignment—R.1, R.2, W.2, SL.1, L.4, RH.6-8.1-.7 are built into discussion prompts and quizzes for quick documentation.

Scripts Included (Chronological)

  1. Second Great Awakening – Charles Finney’s revivals and reform sparks (c. 1825-35)
  2. Monroe Doctrine (1823) – Adams crafts foreign-policy bravado for a young republic
  3. The Missouri Compromise (1820) FREE sample
      Download the script & test it first!
  4. Oregon Trail (1843) – Whitman mission, cholera graves, and Cayuse tensions
  5. Pony Express (1860-61) – 10-day mail dash vs. the coming telegraph
  6. Fugitive Slave Act (1850) – Anthony Burns, Boston riots, and Underground Railroad grit
  7. Bleeding Kansas (1854-56) – Popular sovereignty collapses in a guerrilla war
  8. John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry (1859) – One spark, a nation on edge
  9. Battle of Antietam (1862) – Bloodiest day leads to the Emancipation Proclamation
  10. 13th Amendment (1865) – Freedom proclaimed, Reconstruction challenges begin

How to Use the Collection

Unit Starter → Cast Scene 1 aloud to hook curiosity.
Core Lesson → Assign mixed-ability roles; pause after each scene for evidence-based questions.
Assessment → Launch the self-grading quiz or a CER writing prompt supplied in every guide.

Want More Scripts Like This? Check out these U.S. History Bundles!

CLICK HERE to view our 15-script Revolutionary War bundle & save 50 %

 

Explore the 10-script Colonial America & Early Republic bundle

CCSS standards covered: CCRA.R.1, R.2, W.2, SL.1, L.4, RH.6-8.1-.2, .4, .6, .7