Virginia SOL USII.1.c

Social Studies6th GradeWestward Expansion and Its Impact on Indigenous Peoples

The Standard

examining the impact of policies, legislation, and treaties associated with the growth of the nation

Virginia Standards of Learning for History and Social Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students trace how federal laws, treaties, and land policies changed who controlled western land. They explain effects on settlers and Indigenous nations using maps, documents, and specific examples.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students connect a named action, such as the Homestead Act or Dawes Act, to changes in land ownership and migration. They support claims with evidence and describe different viewpoints.
Common Misconceptions: Students may assume western land was empty or that treaties were always honored. They may also confuse laws with treaties or describe all Indigenous nations as having the same experience.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Choose one law or treaty studied. Name its goal, one effect on Indigenous peoples, and one piece of supporting evidence.

Lesson moves

Give pairs land maps and policy cards to build a before and after display showing changes in settlement and Indigenous territory.
Ask students to write: Who benefited from western land policies, who was harmed, and what evidence supports your answer?
Play a cause and effect matching game using cards for the Homestead Act, Dawes Act, treaties, settlement, and Indigenous displacement.
Compare a historical reservation map with a current map, then have students identify one lasting effect of federal land policy.

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