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Task

Introduction

Process

Evaluation

Conclusion

Credits

Research Resources: Click Below

Welcome to the Oregon Trail! You have been selected to embark on an adventure across unknown territory to the new land in the west! You have been asked to keep a journal during your to document your findings and report on important places along the way.

 

Imagine yourself back in time. You will use what we have been learning and researching in class about the Oregon Trail to write realistic journal entries as if you were on the trail in the 1800s.

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The wagons are loaded and the oxen are ready. It is time to begin your journey on the Oregon Trail! Good luck!

For this quest, you will be keeping a journal of your journey on the Oregon Trail. You will be documenting your trip, including landmarks, exciting moments, and hardships. You will need to have a minimum of five, one-page journal entries. Each of these entries must include an important landmark that you stopped at along the way.

 

You will be researching key facts about each landmark and including them in your journal entries, along with your thoughts and feelings about the trip from the perspective of an individual travelling on the Oregon Trail back in the 1800s. Keep this in mind when picking your starting point. Allow yourself enough distance from Oregon Country to pass at least three more landmarks (other than your starting point: landmark 1), with your fifth and final landmark being your Oregon Country ending point.

Looking at a map of the Oregon Trail, pick your starting point and research key facts about this landmark. Use these questions to guide your first journal entry:

 

  1. Who are you? Include name, age, occupation (unless you are a child), family members, and anything else you would like to add about yourself.

  2. Where did you choose to begin your journey on the Oregon Trail?

  3. Why did you choose this specific location?

  4. Did you leave any family members or friends behind? Did any family members or friends come with you on this trip?

  5. How many people are on your wagon?

  6. What are you most excited for on this journey?

  7. What are your worries about embarking on this journey?

Landmark 1: 

You have arrived at your first important stop on the trail. Research key facts about this landmark and use these questions to guide your second journal entry:

 

  1. Where have you stopped along the trail?

  2. Describe the scenery. Include any buildings, farms, animal life, or people you may have seen or met. Sketches and drawings may be helpful as well.

  3. Why is this landmark important for the people traveling on the Oregon Trail? Is this stop to trade for food and supplies?

  4. Are you running low on food or supplies on your wagon? If yes, do you have money or items to trade for more?

  5. What has your journey on the trail been like so far? Include any exciting moments, sickness, injuries, or deaths that have happened since beginning this journey.

Landmark 2:

You have arrived at your next landmark on the trail. Research key facts about this landmark and use these questions to guide your third journal entry:

 

  1. Where have you stopped along the trail?

  2. Describe the scenery. Include any buildings, farms, animal life, or people you may have seen or met. Sketches and drawings may be helpful as well.

  3. Why is this landmark important for the people traveling on the Oregon Trail? Is this stop to trade for food and supplies?

  4. Are you running low on food or supplies on your wagon? If yes, do you have money or items to trade for more?

  5. What has your journey on the trail been like so far? Include any exciting moments, sickness, injuries, or deaths that have happened since your last stop.

Landmark 3: 

You have arrived at another landmark on the trail. Research key facts about this landmark and use these questions to guide your fourth journal entry:

 

  1. Where have you stopped along the trail?

  2. Describe the scenery. Include any buildings, farms, animal life, or people you may have seen or met. Sketches and drawings may be helpful as well.

  3. Why is this landmark important for the people traveling on the Oregon Trail? Is this stop to trade for food and supplies?

  4. Are you running low on food or supplies on your wagon? If yes, do you have money or items to trade for more?

  5. What has your journey on the trail been like so far? Include any exciting moments, sickness, injuries, or deaths that have happened since your last stop.

Landmark 4: 

Landmark 5: 

You have arrived at your final stop in Oregon Country! You have travelled many miles, endured triumphs and hardships to arrive here and start a new life out West. Research key facts about this new land and use these questions to guide your fifth and final journal entry:

 

  1. Where is your final stop in Oregon Country?

  2. Describe the scenery. Include any buildings, farms, animal life, or people you have seen or met. Sketches and drawings may be helpful as well.

  3. Why have you chosen to end your journey here?

  4. What are your plans now that your journey on the Oregon Trail is over?

  5. What advice would you give to others who are planning on making the journey on the Oregon Trail?

  6. What are your final thoughts about your journey?

Congratulations! You have successfully completed your journey on the Oregon Trail! Now, you have researched and gained a better understanding of the landmarks of the Oregon Trail. You have also gained an understanding of the hardships that individuals on the Oregon Trail had to endure!

 

Something to think about: if you were alive during this time, would you want to travel on the Oregon Trail? How would you react to some of the hardships that individuals had to endure on this journey?

Websites for Further Research:

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Books:

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  • Friedman, M. (2010). The Oregon Trail. New York: Scholastic.

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  • Kravitz, D. (2014). Surviving the journey: The story of the Oregon Trail. Minnesota:Capstone      Press

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  • Levine, E. (1992). If you traveled west in a covered wagon. New York: Scholastic.

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  • Marsh, C. (2010). The mystery on the Oregon Trail. Georgia: Gallopade International.

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  • Van Leeuwen, J. (1996). Bound for Oregon. New York: Puffin Books.

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Introduction
Task
Process
Conclusion
Evaluation
Credits
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