Traveling the Oregon Trail

Life as a Pioneer

Created for Ascension School Computer Lab 2005

Introduction:

You are to pretend you are a Pioneer traveling along the Oregon Trail. 

You are heading West to a new land!

Tasks to Complete:

First you will Research Traveling along the Oregon Trail so you become familiar with Pioneer Life.

Take notes and answer the following questions about Pioneer Life using the Links provided.

Research Questions:

1. Research how families traveled to the West.  Create a realistic family traveling west.  You may give names and ages for each family member. (example; mother, father, sister, brother, baby)
   
2. Decide what your reasons for traveling West are.  Are you leaving due to religious reasons?  Are you searching for gold?  Are you going to find better soil for farming? 
   
3. There are several types of covered wagons.  Research the wagons and decide on what type you will be taking on your travels.
   
4. Make decisions on what items or supplies your family will be bringing along on the journey and what you need to leave behind.

Oregon Trail History

Oregon Trail

Pioneers

End of the Trail

 End of the Trail - Wagons

End of the Trail - Supplies

 Think Quest - Oregon Trail

Supplies & Wagons

Oregon Trail

American West

Micro Worlds Project:

After you do your research you will begin a Micro Worlds project detailing your Trip.  

Remember to include a date for all pages.  You will have a text box for each page.  Create clipart to detail your trip.  Animate your clipart.

page 1:

Write a letter to a friend telling them that you are leaving on your journey. Include reasons why you are leaving, where you are planning to go.  Also tell them what items you have decided to take and what you have decided to leave behind.  Include how long you believe this journey will take.    Be sure to date the letter.  Your wagon will be leaving in the year 1849 from Independence, Missouri.

Page 2:

Write a journal entry about a famous landmark.  Describe one landmark and tell where it is located.

Landmarks Along Trail

Landmarks

Page 3:

Write a journal entry about a hardship that your family has experienced.  (examples; illness, death, weather, etc.)

Hardships

Page 4:

Write a journal entry about a trading post.  Tell about items your bought at the trading post.

Trading Posts

Page 5:

Write a letter back to your friend you left behind and tell them about your new home out west.  Describe the new land and how you feel about your move.