Project: Oregon Trail Journal

"We cast our lots and sought our fortunes in the far West. It meant leaving our homes, our loved ones, our parents, and our friends to endure the hardships of a long and tedious journey. . .Our reason for coming to Oregon . . .to get free land in the heavenly country where sickness was hardly ever known."

The Oregon Trail, the historic wagon route connecting Independence, Missouri with Oregon City, was traveled by thousand of emigrants seeking a new beginning and represented a pivotal point in American history. Beginning with Lewis and Clark in 1804, and continuing with traders, trappers, and missionaries, the trail was the embodiment of Manifest Destiny.

This journal project begins with a PowerPoint that provides an overview of the era of mountain men and the fur trade of the Pacific Northwest. The presentation then addresses "reasons fer goin', " "when we leavin'?," "what to bring," and "might be there's trouble."

The following resources are also included in the download:

● Journal guidelines that describe objectives, procedures, tips to remember, and Internet resources.

● Oregon Trail notes that groups will use to create a pioneer family and build their story.

● A list of provisions - with both cost and quantity needed - to which students can refer as they consider the supplies their family will need.

● Descriptions of major landmarks along the trail and a distance chart students can use to gauge their family's "progress."

● A rubric to assess completed projects.

● A critique sheet students can use to assess their own effort as well as that of their group members.

● As an enrichment activity, easy-to-follow pioneer recipes that allow students the opportunity to sample pioneer "cuisine." Side note: I do explain to the students that the pioneers could not afford to be picky in terms of meals...for them, it was a matter of survival.

The PowerPoint is saved in Office 97-2003. The guidelines, informational pages, student critique sheet, and rubric have been uploaded as PDF files, with space to allow for adjustments as needed.

Presenting the project, forming groups, and explaining the recipes generally requires one class period. After that, groups should be able to finish at least 2 journal entries per day.

I use this presentation and project with my own students. They thoroughly enjoy the presentation and examples, and have done a WONDERFUL job with both the project and the recipes. I am certain your students will love it, too!

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