Wagons West!!

A WebQuest for 5th Grade 
Designed by
Marsha Jenkins and Lorraine Gaughenbaugh
lgaughen@ix.netcom.com
jacobs.3@osu.edu

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page

Introduction

     "There is Enchantment in the word Oregon.  It signifies a land of pure delight in the woody solitudes of the West...That is a country of the largest liberty, the only known land of equality on the face of the earth...there is a place to build anew the Temple of Democracy." 
                                                                       Cleveland Plain Dealer, 1843 

    The sun is beginning to creep up at the start of the day.  You are just beginning to wake up to the morning sounds.  You hear the gentle breeze rustling and the snort of an ox?!!???  Wait a minute!  Where is your alarm clock, your soft bed?  What are you doing sleeping on the ground under a wagon??  You have been transformed back in time to record the events of a journey along the Oregon Trail.  You will be taking on a role and finding certain information about different aspects of your journey.  You will be working with a team of students to compile your information into a group Scrapbook.  Only then will you be able to return to the present time.  After your journey, you will be able to show a thorough understanding of these questions:

 What was it like to travel the Oregon Trail?
 Why did people move west?
 What impact did the westward expansion have on the US?
 
 
 
 
 

Your task is to 

1. Gain a general understanding of the Oregon Trail.
2. Choose one of the roles listed in Part 2.
3. Research and gather information related to your topic.
4. Share your information with team members to create a Scrapbook.

To accomplish the task, follow the next three parts of this quest.  You will be assigned to a team of 4 students.  Work cooperatively to complete Part 1.  Then proceed. 

Part 1

      Each team member will need to have a basic understanding of the Oregon Trail and be able to answer these questions:

1. What is the Oregon Trail?
2. When did people travel this route?
3. Where was the Oregon Trail?
4. Why did people move west?
5. What impact did this westward movement have on the US?
6. How did the people travel?

Use these links to help you:

All about the Oregon Trail
Overview map 
FAQ
Lure of the West 

Part 2

 Choose one of the following roles that is of interest to you.  You may work with yourself or a partner.  Explore the internet links to gather information.  Take notes/copy and paste text and images from the web.  Note the location URL of each thing you borrowed.  Pay special attention to the requirements of each role.
 
 

Historian	Provide background information on Oregon Trail and an overview map.	Trail Facts  Fantastic Facts
Correspondent	Provide informative description of general information (background, news article, pictures) of 3 landmarks.	Historic Sites Trail Stories Directory Fort Larami
Provisioner	Decide what supplies to bring on the journey.	Supplies Outfitting for the Trail Wagon   Provisions
Cartographer	Provide specific maps of the area detailing lakes, passes, landmarks.  Give full explanation of visuals.	Trading Posts Historic Sites
Diarist	Relate personal experience of journey, include historical facts and photos.	Historical Gazette Oregon Trail Diaries  Life and Death  Three Island Crossing
Scientist/Technologist	Provide information on medical difficulties on trail, and latest technology.	Accidents and Illness Ferry Crossing  Bacteria  Dentistry Illness  Invention of Roadometer  Hypothermia  High altitude
Entertainer	Provide overview of general pastimes, music, art, culture of the time.  May include cartoon, political satire, editorial.	Amusements  Toys  Music and Dance  Pioneer Song Hair Wreaths

 Part 3

      Now that you have gathered information, you can compile your findings into a Scrapbook.  Work with your team members to create your project.  You will need to revise and edit your work for a final project.  Your team scrapbook can be a "hard copy" made out of construction paper or a Powerpoint  multi-media presentation.  Prepare to share your results with the class. 
 

You will be graded on your section of the Scrapbook by using the Rubric below.  You will also be assessed on how well you worked within your team.  Please look over the rubric so that you will know what it expected.
 
 

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Focused Topic	Does not give enough information.	Briefly addresses topic, but gives few details.	Addresses the topic and provides clear details and examples.	Clearly defines topic and provides specific details,examples,and explanations of information.
Well Organized	Lacks topic sentences and has no logical sequence.	Has one topic sentence, but is somewhat confusing.	Has some topic sentences and is somewhat sequential.	Every section begins with a clearly stated topic sentence and follows a logical order.
Clear and Understandable	Very difficult to follow.	Most difficult to follow and understand.	Mostly easy to understand.	Easy to read and follow information..
Correct grammmar and spelling.	Very frequent grammar and/or spelling errors.	A few grammar and/or spelling errors.	Only one or two errors in spelling /grammar.	All grammar and spelling are correct.
Visual Appearance	Lacks color, not neat, difficult to read.	Somewhat neat and clolorful.	Mostly neat and colorful; easy to read.	Visually appealing.Very neat and colorful. Makes good use of space.  Easy to read.

Congratulations in completing the great western trek.  You should have a better understanding of historical accuracy surrounding the Oregon Trail. I am sure you will agree that the journey West was exceptionally difficult by today's standards.  Here are some topics for discussion.
 

• If you were allowed to take along one modern invention that would fit in your pocket on the Oregon Trail, what would you take and why?

• If the Oregon Trail had never existed, what would be the consequences for the states of Oregon, Washington , Idaho, California, Nevada, Utah,and Arizona?  How would life in America be different?  How would your life be different?

• In many parts of the West, the actual Oregon Trail ruts still exist.  Some people want to preserve these markings on the land;but some of the land owners say it is their right to build roads or homes right on top of the trail and wipe it out.  Which side do you agree with?  Should landowners be able to do what they want with their land; or should the government require them to preserve the trail?

• Image that you are going on a four month trip in your family van.  You will be traveling through a remote wilderness.  There will be no place to stop for food or supplies.  What would you take along??  Make a list .  How is your list different or similar to the Oregon Trail pioneers?

• Figure out how many steps it took for an emigrant to walk to Oregon.  Measure one of your normal steps from front heel to back heel. How many inches is it?  Next, divide 63,360  (the number of inches in a mile) by that number.  Finally, multiply the number of steps by 2,000  miles- the distance to  Oregon.

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Here are some helpful resources:

Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie
Oregon Trail Revisted  by Gregory M. Franzwa
Maps of the Oregon Trai by Gregory M. Franzwa
Historic Sites Along the Oregon Trail by Aubrey L. Haines