The American West

Worksheet Description

This worksheet instructs Grade 11 students to create a week’s worth of diary entries from the perspective of a teenager growing up in the American West between 1840 and 1890. The assignment involves conducting research to understand what life was like during this historical period, with an emphasis on finding a specific aspect of life that interests the student. Students must then craft diary entries that reflect the year and location, daily activities, significant events, news, opinions, and any other interesting facts relevant to the time, using a diary format and citing at least three credible sources.

The worksheet is designed to teach students the importance of empathetic historical inquiry by encouraging them to step into the shoes of a person from a different era. It aims to enhance research skills by requiring students to seek out and synthesize information from credible sources. The task also promotes creative writing and critical thinking by having students interpret historical facts through a personal narrative. Furthermore, this exercise helps students understand the broader historical context by connecting personal experiences to major events and societal trends of the time.