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Mountain Men
In this history worksheet, learners read a one page article about life on the Oregon trail and the fur traders and mountain men. Students then answer 4 essay questions.
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Wagons West
Young scholars examine life on westward trails. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students analyze textbook passages about life on the Oregon Trail and the motivations of the people who settled Oregon.
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The Oregon Trail
Learners discuss migration and reasons people came across the Oregon trail. Students create a time line of important events along the Oregon trail. A Historical Time Line is included for student use. Learners work in small groups to...
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Oregon Trail Cooking
Students compare differences between cooked and fresh greens. They realize how simplicity of recipe makes for easy travel on the Oregon Trail.
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Cultural Lit. 18: The Oregon Trail & Native Americans
Fifth graders name the American Indian people by tribe who lived in the lands which the Oregon Trail traversed. They investigate and describe some impacts of western expansion upon the American Indians.
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Writing a Fantasy Story - Time Travel
Students write a fantasy story about time traveling back to the time of the Oregon Trail. In this Oregon trail lesson students gather information from their Social Studies textbook about life during the time of the Oregon Trail.
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Westward Ho: The Difficulties of Emigrants Moving West
Students research the journey west of 19th century emigrants. In this pioneer lesson plan, students read the letters and diaries of a fictitious family traveling on the Oregon Trail. They mark their route on a US map, create a chart...
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Discovering the Oregon Trail
Students explore U.S. history by researching the Oregon Trail. In this American exploration instructional activity, students read the story On the Shore of the River and define the exact path early settlers took to find the state of...
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Bound for Oregon
Young scholars engage in a novel study using the layered curriculum style of unit. The unit has many different types of activities that have different ratings of difficulty. This allows for a great deal of differentiation.
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Western Expansion and Native Americans
Fifth graders research the Oregon, Old Spanish, California, and Mormon trails, and the impact western expansion had on the Native Americans living on those lands.
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Trade and Travel on the Overland Trails
Pupils compare and contrast trade routes. In this trade route lesson, students explore the Oregon Trail and the Santa Fe trail. Pupils compare and contrast the purposes for these trails.
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The U.S. Westward Movement
Students, working in groups, research and write about one of the trails that were used during US Westward Movement. They create a travel brochure for their trail keeping in mind the era in which the travel took place.
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Life on the Trails
Fourth graders explore U.S. Geography by completing a worksheet. In this west coast geography activity, 4th graders discuss the Santa Fe and Oregon-California trails and the people who traveled them in the 1800's. Students define...
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The Trail
Students identify major geographical features shown on the core map, explain map symbols used on the core map, create a picture of the condition of the trail in the 1840s, and construct a chart of average temperatures and rainfall.
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Writing a Fantasy Story - Time Travel
Students write a fantasy story about travelling back in time to the period of the Oregon Trail. They conduct research and take notes about the Oregon Trail, and write a first and a final draft of their short story about their visit to...
National First Ladies' Library
Who Wants to be a Pioneer?
Students write a story based on their research of the Oregon Trail. Using the Internet and traditional sources, they engage in research about pioneer's experiences on the Oregon Trail during westward expansion. Students write a story...
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Influences of Black Oregon Trail Settlers
Students discuss reasons settlers settled in the Oregon Territory. Then, through the examination of primary documents, they compare the influences upon black settlers and how those influences were important to the settlement of the...
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Internet Challenge Worksheet
In this Internet usage worksheet, students navigate to a specific search engine website and enter the word "Oregon Trail". Students then answer 7 questions based on their results.
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History Detectives
Fifth graders investigate the significant events in America's history. Students listen to a variety of books based on significant historical events in America. Students divide into 6 groups, each of which is responsible for researching...
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"Go West, Young Man!"
Pupils examine reasons why people migrated west. They describe how the geography of the U.S. changed in the 19 th century and design a PowerPoint presentation to convey factors for westward expansion.
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Oregon City: A Convergence of Endings
Students describe the activities that occurred in the Willamette Valley before the establishment of the Oregon Trail and agricultural settlement and explain the impact that American settlement had on the landscape and native groups who...
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Westward Expansion
Eighth graders explore the components of the Westward Movement in the United States. Understanding the past and the linkages it has to the present is the intended goal of this seventeen day unit.
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Westward Ho
Students examine primary sources regarding Western migration. In this Manifest Destiny lesson, students determine why the pioneers moved west and what the trip was like as they examine sources and write journals based on their findings.
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Crossing the Oregon Trail
Students become familiar with the sacrifices that the migrants endured crossing the plains to the west. They experience some of the problem solving that the pioneers faced and pay the natural consequences of their choices.