The Story of How Alaska Became a State
__________About: __________
This worksheet tells the story of how Alaska became part of the
United States and eventually the 49th state. It covers the land while it
was owned by Russia, the famous purchase arranged by William
Seward in 1867, the excitement of the Klondike Gold Rush, and the
long path from territory to full statehood in 1959. Students will learn
why Alaska matters today because of its size, resources, and unique
location near Russia.
__________What’s Included: __________
This worksheet features Article (5 paragraphs), True/False (15
statements), Comprehension Questions (6), Multiple Choice (15),
Word Search (15 words), Crossword (10 clues), and Odd One Out
(30 words).
__________Target Grades: __________
Grades 5-9
__________Teacher Note: __________
This worksheet works well for a unit on US expansion and state
history. Encourage students to discuss why some people at the time
thought the Alaska purchase was a mistake, and why it later proved
to be valuable.