This guide is designed to provide seventh-grade social studies teachers with materials needed to present instruction in reading skills and to teach those facts, concepts, and attitudes which are the aim of social studies education. Entries on the subject of westward expansion and transportation in New York State are arranged by topics, and material within each topic is arranged according to two texts: "Living in New York" by Flierl and Urell, to be used with modified classes, and "New York: The Empire State" by Ellis, Frost, and Fink, to be used with honors and average classes. The guide presents exercises to promote the development of vocabulary, comprehension, critical thinking, and map skills. Questions are designed to evaluate the student's mastery of these skills and of content subject matter. Some questions are designed to cover collateral chapters in the two texts and are so identified. (RT)