📖

The Louisiana Purchase: Doubling Our Size

America Grows: Westward Expansion Begins

Day 92of 180
Week 19of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand how the Louisiana Purchase expanded America's territory

2

Learn about President Thomas Jefferson's role in territorial expansion

3

Recognize how God provides opportunities for growth

📖 Scripture Connection

Proverbs 16:9

“A man's heart plans his way, but Yahweh directs his steps.”

— Proverbs 16:9 (WEB)

Just as God guided Thomas Jefferson in expanding the nation's territory, He guides our paths and provides unexpected opportunities

📦 Materials Needed

  • Large US map
  • Green and blue construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Markers
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students and show a map of the United States. Ask, 'What do you know about how our country became so big?'

💭 Review Question: Can you point to where the original thirteen states were located?
2Teaching (10 min)

In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson made a very special purchase from France. He bought a huge piece of land called the Louisiana Territory, which was so large it doubled the size of the United States! This land stretched from the Mississippi River all the way to the Rocky Mountains.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • The land cost only 15 million dollars
  • It added 828,000 square miles to the United States
  • Native American tribes were already living in this territory
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Why do you think Jefferson wanted to buy this land?
  • How might this land help people who wanted to explore?
  • How can we be good stewards of the land God gives us?
3Activity: Louisiana Purchase Map Craft (7 min)
hands-on

Create a visual representation of the Louisiana Purchase by making a paper map expansion

📝 Instructions:
  1. Take a blue paper representing the original United States
  2. Cut out a green paper shape representing the Louisiana Territory
  3. Glue the green territory next to the blue original states
  4. Draw and label key landmarks
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Pre-cut shapes for younger students

Challenge: Add actual geographic features like rivers and mountains

4Closing (3 min)

Recap how God provided an amazing opportunity for the United States to grow

📝 Review Questions:
  • What was the Louisiana Purchase?
  • Who was president when it happened?
  • How big was the new territory?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for guiding leaders and helping nations grow. Help us always be thankful for the land and opportunities You provide.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about Lewis and Clark's amazing exploration of this new territory!

💎 Memory Verse

Proverbs 16:9

“A man's heart plans his way, but Yahweh directs his steps.”

— Proverbs 16:9 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Step-and-Repeat Memory Game

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

The Louisiana Purchase was a pivotal moment in US expansion, acquired from France in 1803 for approximately 3 cents per acre.

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use visual aids to help children understand territorial size
  • Emphasize peaceful acquisition rather than conquest
  • Connect expansion to God's providence
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find it hard to grasp the scale of territorial expansion

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Understanding of basic geographic concepts and curiosity about exploration

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Research Native American tribes in the Louisiana Territory
  • Compare modern map with 1803 map
  • Learn about Thomas Jefferson's life

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 93 →Back to History & Social Studies