Students explore the Manifest Destiny. They interpret quotations, study point of view in writing, research English words that derived from Mexico, and analyze reasons why settlers moved west. After writing journal entries in first-person...

A sequel to the hugely popular and enduring Oregon Trail, this game explores the daily life of those settling in the Wild West. Players have to build a shelter, grow their community, increase the population, ensure sufficient food...

Students compare and contrast the realistic and romantic art and literature about experiences on the Oregon Trail. Using this information, they compare their viewpoints and write messages on what they believe it was like on a trip down...

You have just hit the lesson plan jackpot! This isn't just a lesson, it's a ten-day unit covering westward expansion, pioneer life, and the Oregon Trail. Activities include baking, model building, role-play, newspaper writing, science...

Students explore what life was like on the American frontier. They participate in a simulation of frontier life using Oregon Trail computer software, create an Oregon Trail newsletter, develop a timeline, and conduct interviews with...

Seventh graders complete a unit of lessons on the Westward expansion of the U.S. They play the computer game, Oregon Trail III, read primary source documents, conduct Internet research, write diary entries from the pioneer viewpoint, and...

Students identify diseases that plagued the pioneers and find preventative measures to avoid them.  In this Oregon Trail lesson plan, students brainstorm possible health problems and diseases for pioneers. They then research a particular...

Students research one of the Plains or Northwest Native American tribes that the Oregon Trail travelers might have encountered in their journey west. In this American history lesson, students research the tribes, complete a journal entry...

Students travel to the American West. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students discuss the Oregon Trail and then play the computer game of the same title. Students take on the roles of those who travelled the trail.

Students explore prairie life. In this Oregon Trail lesson, students read literature regarding the move west and participate in cross-curricular activities. Students should take digital photographs of the participation in activities and...

Students complete a game of The Oregon Trail in groups. They keep careful track of all the decisions made along the way in order to write their own guides to the Oregon Trail. They may use a folding brochure or a bound collection of work.

Students inquire about life for pioneer children. In this pioneer period lesson, students analyze photographs of children, make information foldables, and create a covered wagon that was typical of the ones of the past. Students will...

Young scholars research the Westward Movement and struggles encountered by the pioneers as they moved from Nebraska, Westward along the Oregon Trail. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students read an Oregon Trail poem and visit 5...

Students explore westward movement through eyes of doll belonging to Patty Reed, member of Donner Party. They write journal entries from points of view of characters in book, Patty Reed's Doll, participate in Pack the Wagon game, and...

Fourth graders play a game based on the Oregon Trail. They divide into four groups called Leader, Fate, Hunter, and Trader. They select professions such as blacksmiths and saddlemakers. They hone basic math skills by using money to buy...

Students collect data from a simple investigation of wooded area. They explore the concept of camouflage and observe small animals and insects that live nearby and identify how they use camouflage in their environments. Students take a...

Students study the gray whale migration and compare their populations to the increasing ocean temperature.  In this whale watcher lesson plan students draw a food chain.

Students use educational software to examine the hardships and problem solving skills needed by the pioneers as they endured frontier life. They work as teams while using the game simulation. They work a number of project while not on...

Young scholars assess the information contained in primary and secondary sources and discuss the differences between them. They examine the diary of a World War I soldier with a textbook account to determine the validity of each. As a...

How did the United States come to acquire two of its largest states? Your class members will learn about the sequence of events that led to and immediately followed the acquisition of Texas and California, including the Mexican-American...

In this social studies activity, students complete a 25 question multiple choice quiz about early American colonial life and the Cherokee and other Native American tribes.

There are seven word problems here which test your class's basic addition and subtraction skills. Answers are listed on the right, but they must find the correct one and record the corresponding letter next to the problem. Consider doing...

Eighth graders practice their map skills.  In this American History and Geography lesson, 8th graders participate in problem solving and teamwork.  Students study the impact of western migration. 

Pupils increase their skills in word attack, fluency, and spelling of words and research and find information on topics from the Internet. They then use the Quick Cam with the computer and will increase cooperative skills in small...