Step 1
Know your assignment: Understand what you will need to do.

Preresearch: Have some understanding of what happened during westward expansion so when you get to Step 2, you have research ideas.

Example:

I chose John Muir because I'm interested in the environment and knew that he had something to do with conservation. Through preresearch I learned that he was a preservationist who had a great deal to do with the establishment of the National Park System and National Forest Service. He is especially known for the creation of Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Club. When I was on Step 1, I assumed that Muir's work to preserve land for the environment, wildlife and people was really important during westward expansion, or we might not have the open land we have today.

Next: with the assignment in hand, and my preresearch done, I was ready for Step 2.

John Muir is on the California State Quarter

The six steps outlined in this website are based in part on the Big6 developed by Michael Eisenberg and Robert Berkowitz. Click here to visit Step 1 on their Discovery website.