Introduction
Pioneer life was much different than your life is today. In this webquest, you will be exploring different sites to help you understand the life of a pionner child. Enjoy your step back in time.
Task
You have just landed at Ellis Island with your family. You and your family have passed the medical exam and now are ready to begin the westward journey. It will not be an easy task. If you are to survive you will need to carefully consider what items you will need to take in your wagon. You are only allowed to have a total of 2,400 lbs in your wagon. You will need to take into consideration the weight of those traveling with you, the weather, wild animals, and troubles along the way.
You will then compare the task of packing your covered wagon to packing a vehicle today.
Process
To begin to understand traveling in a covered wagon, watch this video.
* Background
This activity is about choices that need to be made in planning a venture.
The venture here is the Oregon Trail Journey undertaken by pioneers in the 1840’s through 1860’s. They were migrating to the western part of the continent for many different reasons, but most wanted new opportunities and to change their lives for the better.
Basics of Life on the Trail
Thousands of people traveled each year from May to October going west about 15 miles per day. There were no hotels; they were camping the entire way. There were no grocery stores or supply stores – the Trail passed by a few trading posts, and there were a few opportunities to trade with Native Americans, but mostly you had to pack all your food and supplies for the family in a wagon. You might be able to do a little trading, hunting, or gathering along the way. The pioneers had to be outdoors in all kinds of weather. They were leaving old homes behind, and they would have to build new homes when they arrived in Oregon in the fall. Many knew they would never see friends and family ever again. Pioneers had to take care of health and safety themselves, although others in a wagon train might help. Pioneers did not know for certain if they would be able to buy tools and supplies for their new life when they arrived in Oregon. There was not much for entertainment – maybe reading, music, visiting with friends, games. Pioneers had to be creative and adaptable in finding solutions to their problems.
You are going to fill out a list of what to take, and what to leave. The list has several items to consider, but you are limited by how much you can take total.
* Go to this document and read and complete pages 3-7. The hard copies of the worksheets are located in the red socail studies folder by the paper. It is the expectation that all members of the team collaborate to complete this task. Team member 4 is the leader of your group.
Evaluation
You and your team members will be evaluated on your efforts to work as a team.
The completed Pack your wagon sheet.
The Pack your vehcile sheet and then Then and Now critical thinking sheet.
Conclusion
As you can see things were much different during the life of a pioneer. As a fianl conclusion please complete page number 8, Then and Now with your team.