Lesson 1

  Introduce Oregon Trail Unit. Create a KWL chart with the class about the Oregon Trail. Show Power Point "If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon". Discuss the route that will be taken and why pioneers were Headin' West. Read pgs. 1-19 in book titled If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon. Pass Out Oregon Trail Booklet.

Lesson 2

 Review route west with mapping activity Oregon Trail booklet. Go to computer lab and visit http://www.isu.edu/~trinmich/sites.html and view map of the Oregon Trail. Students will make a list of today's states and capitals that they will travel through on their way to Oregon.

Lesson 3

 Pack Your Wagon! Measure how big a wagon is: 4' x 10'---space is limited! Talk about the different names for covered wagons: prairie schooner, conestoga wagon. Brainstorm a list of things you'd take on your trip. Students will complete Supplies for Pioneers wkst. in booklet. Students will build their own covered wagons.

Lesson 4

 Independence Square Activity---Students will be given a supply list for a wagon trip west. They are to make a list of what they'd take. They only have $400 to spend. After their list is made they will write a paragraph explaining what they chose to take and why. **Lesson will take two days

Lesson 5

 2,000 Pounds!  Your wagon will only carry 2,000 pounds. Students will use handout and make a list of what they'd take.

Lesson 6

 Landmarks on the Trail! Students will go to the computer lab to look at various landmarks on the Oregon Trail.

Lesson 7

Make a Class Mural of the Oregon Trail spotlighting various landmarks. Students will write a brief description of the landmarks.

Lesson 8

 Students will create brochures about the Oregon Trail.

Lesson 9

 Famous Pioneers---A chart will with names of famous pioneers will be displayed. Discuss what made them famous. Students will choose a pioneer to write a report about. ***This lesson will take 2-3 days to gather info and write report and then share with class.

Lesson 10

 Build a replica of the Oregon Trail. Students will be divided into groups and assigned areas of the trail to build. **This will take 2 days.

Lesson 11

  Oregon Trail Power Points---Students will work with a partner to create their own power points about the Oregon Trail.

Lesson 12

 Oregon Trail Jeopardy---In groups students will write questions for a class jeopardy game.

Unit Wrap- Up

 Pioneer Day! Students will dress as pioneers and share their power points and give a class presentation entitled "If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon." Parents/classes will be invited to come in.

Back to UBD Page