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Name :______

Date :______

"Handout: Westward Expansion Video and Research Guide"

Assigned Topic:______

Research, Writing, and Producing Your Video

Use the school library and/or internet to research information about your group’s assigned topic that happened between 1840 and 1890.

a. Using the suggestions below, research your assigned topic with your group or partner. Take turns taking notes using a simple spreadsheet to manage information and include a resource bibliography and list of URLs where information is found.

b. Write an outline with your group or partner of the key points you think should be included in your video.

c. Your whole group will meet to discuss the outlines. Each group will select a writer, a director, and a cinematographer.

d. The writer will lead the group in planning the video, including determining the key points to be emphasized, the acting roles and dialogue, and the sequence of scenes and camera shots. The writer will also write the storyboard (that is, script) for the video based on your ideas.

e. The director will oversee the activities needed to translate the storyboard into a video. Using the storyboard as his script, the director will assign acting or narration roles to group members. The director will set up and prepare for each scene required in the video which includes ensuring that costumes and props are procured, and permission is obtained to “shoot” at off-school locales if required and permitted. The director will also coach and direct the narrator and “actors” in their performances, and advise on the final editing.

f. The cinematographer will be responsible for the technical aspects of the video, including camera work (that is, “shooting”), editing, added animation, music, or special effect, and “final release.”

"Handout: Westward Expansion Video and Research Guide" 1 Name :______

Date :______

Suggested Topics for Researching:

Native Americans

 The Plains Indians and the buffalo  Native American way of life  Conflicts with Native Americans, wars, and massacres  Reservations  Chief Joseph and Geronimo

Miners and the Gold Rush

 Gold and silver strikes  Boom towns and ghost towns  Women and the Gold Rush  Government in a mining town  “Outlaws”

Building the Transcontinental Railroad

 The Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads  Immigrant workers on the railroad  The “Big Four”  Impact of the railroads on the country

Ranchers and Cowhands

 Life on a ranch – ranchers and cowboys  Cattle drives  Cow towns  Jesse Chisholm

Farmers and Homesteaders

 Homestead Act  Farming on the plains  Life on the plains  Frontier women

Westward Moving Wagon Trains

 Oregon Trail

"Handout: Westward Expansion Video and Research Guide" 2 Name :______

Date :______

 Trail to California  Donner Party  Life and Challenges on the trail  Women on the Trail

Settlers in the Los Angeles Area

 Spanish Governors and missionaries  Mexican-American War and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo  Establishment of Los Angeles County and Los Angeles City and Government Services (schools, libraries, Board of Health)  Establishment of businesses (newspapers, hotels, banks, railroads, telephones, etc.)  Cultural background of early settlers

"Handout: Westward Expansion Video and Research Guide" 3

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