Virtual Field Trip

Greetings! These are pictures I took at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial museum when I went to St. Louis, Mo. I used these photos to create a lesson plan for a first grade social studies unit. These photos were integrated into VoiceThread, a web 2.0 tool which is a great way to integrate technology into the classroom. My lesson was on the Gateway to the West, or the expedition of Lewis and Clark. My daughters Abby and Anna helped me with this project. This is a tech tool I would like to use in my own class with the help of my students one day.

The Gateway Arch reflects the role of St. Louis in the Westward expansion of the United States during the nineteenth century.

Indians used buffalo as a primary means for food and clothing.

Wagon trains were used for transportation.

Updated version of the wagon train...wow, has technology changed!

1801, the US began minting large silver Peace Medals used in diplomatic relations with American Indians.

An Indian Chief wearing a medal.

William Clark become a respected administrator of Indian affairs during the early years of American expansion into the West.

This territory was purchased from France on April 30, 1803, for $15 million and officially explored by the Lewis and Clark expedition (1804-1806).

This is a mural in the Museum of Westward Expansion, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, St. Louis, Missouri.