Westward HO!

Leni Donlan, Kristen Hammond, Kathleen Ferenz

Shannon Conant and Suzie Handzlik

This is a long lesson about the Oregon Trail. Students receive information through E-mail and talk with other students in chat sessions.

English/Language Arts Grades 3-8

Social Studies, Art, Science, Math

To show students a detail of what life was like in the days of horseback and covered wagons. This lesson will allow students to read stories and write their own stories of what life was like.

Computer for E-mail and Chat

http://www.internet-catalyst.org/projects/WWHO/wwho.html

The procedures for this lesson plan are outlined in the packet that the teacher would get when they sign up for this project. For me to explain what the teacher would do would be my own opinion and would not have anything to do with the actual project.

Find a short (5 minute) television clip of a covered wagon attempting to do something unusual like crossing a deep river. Let the students see how this was a difficult thing to do.

Show students the film. Tell the students that they will be working on this time period. Have students find stories on the internet that relate to the Oregon Trail. They will need to find two stories that show what life was like during this time. Have a variety of web sites on hand in case the students are having a difficult time.

Watch film. Students will look on the internet to find information and stories about the Oregon Trail and the time period.

Talk to the students about what they will do tomorrow. If there is an assignment then explain it to them.

Students will be graded on their ability to work together to find information. Teacher will give a grade and the other students will grade each other. Students will also be graded on their web skills.