The Oregon Trail was the path traveled West by pioneers and settlers between 1841 and The trail presented many obstacles and dangers to travelers. The most common causes of death included Indian attacks, hypothermia, drowning in river crossings, getting run over by wagons, and accidental gun deaths. Because they wanted to complete the trip in one season, most settlers left in April or May. People using the trail traveled in wagons, pack trains, on horseback, on foot, by raft, and by boat. The journey took four to six months and spanned about 2,000 miles through territories and land that later became Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon. Most pioneers chose teams of 4-6 oxen, but some chose mules. Oxen were easily trained, inexpensive to buy and could eat grass along the trail. Mules were about 10% faster on the trail but were hard to handle and could take two months to train. Mules also needed to eat oats to stay strong which had to either be carried or purchased along the way.

Young, brave, individuals to travel the Oregon trail. You must keep a journal to document your experiences. Including, the difficulties, dangers, successes and anything significant you encounter. These Journals will help future pioneers to make the trip! This is your own experience! Did you make new friendships? Learn a new skill? Perhaps you made a trade with the Native Americans. Be sure to include whether you decided to use a team of mules or oxen and the result of that decision. Also record the date you left and when and where you decided to settle. You will be compensated with 20 acres where ever you decide to settle.

First you will need to learn about the historic Oregon Trail and the pioneers who followed it Please use these websites to gather information. Take notes that will help you create an informative and factual journal Start Here More Fun Here! Keep Going! Explore This One! See Modern And 1843 Map

Start brainstorming and consider these questions What will your character be like? Name, family, any other background information What difficulties will you encounter? What are your hopes for the future? You will be creating your journal the “Old Fashioned” way. You will need a notebook or journal You can be as creative as you want, you may want to use a plain spiral notebook or you could create a “leather” journal using old paper bags. Your journal will include A minimum of 8 entries representing your departure to your arrival Each entry must have at least 100 words Entries will be your experiences Difficulties, successes, relationships, anything else you feel will make your journal more interesting and informative! Prove to me that you have done the research

We know that many pioneers may be learning English. We need everyone’s experience! You will only be required to write 6 entries and each entry will be a minimum of 70 words. Please describe how and if your native language was able to help you or others along the trail!

Your journals will include 5 entries. Each entry will include a picture of what event(s) occurred and a minimum of three sentences describing the picture. Be creative and make pictures as detailed as possible, this will be very important for future pioneers!

3 Points2 Points1 Points0 Points Research Journals show student has done research on mandatory web sites and is knowledgeable about the topic. All information is accurate. Journals show student has done some research and basically understands the topic. Almost all information is accurate. Journals show student did little research and is incorrect about some of the information. Journals show student did not do research and is incorrect about much of the information. Journal Journals are creative, informative, and detailed. Handwriting is neat and grammar and spelling have little or no mistakes. Journals are creative, informative, and detailed. Handwriting is legible and grammar and spelling have a few mistakes. Journals lack creativity and detail. Handwriting is legible with grammar and spelling mistakes. Journals are illegible with no creativity or information. Handwriting is illegible and there are many grammar and spelling mistakes. Completeness All parts of assignment are done well, it is clear the student put forth their best effort and took time to complete assignment. All parts of assignment are done correctly, student made an effort to complete the assignment. Most parts of assignment are done, student did not put forth their best effort and did not take the needed time. The assignment is incomplete and done incorrectly. Student did not put forth effort or take time to complete the assignment. Points will be added up and multiplied by 15. That means this assignment is worth a whopping 135 points! You can get half points, for example 2½ points for research. Do your best work!

This adventure will be a wonderful experience! If you do all that is asked of you, you will learn what it takes to be an Oregon trail pioneer. You will also gain appreciation of the settlers that came before you! When you have completed your tasks ask yourself these questions… Why is the Oregon Trail such a significant part of history? How does the Oregon Trail represent the American spirit? How can knowing what the pioneers endured help me handle challenges in my future?