Pioneers of the West

Teacher Page

A WebQuest for a 4th Grade Oregon Trail Unit

 Designed by

Len Updike
updi2597@pacificu.edu

Introduction | Learners | Standards | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Student Page

 

Introduction

This lesson/unit is designed for fourth and/or fifth grade students studying The Oregon Trail. This WebQuest is a great introduction to the process of conducting a research project while learning about the pioneers of the west.

The purpose of this webquest is not only to provide the history of how the west was pioneered, but also a source of guided inquiry, stimulating students to think how it must have felt to experience such an adventure.  Would you be excited? Sad? Scared? What do you bring?  What do you leave?  How do you know how to get there if you don't know exactly where it is you are going?  These are just some of the questions of those who pioneered the journey west.

Learners

Curriculum Standards

This thematically integrated unit/lesson is anchored in the fourth and fifth grade social studies standards of Oregon while integrating reading, writing, math, health, history, maps, geography and creative arts.

Social Studies Standards Addressed (Oregon)

• Understand how individuals changed or significantly influenced the course of Oregon state history.
• Examine an event, issue or problem through inquiry and research.
  

As a result of this unit/lesson, students will experience communication, delegation, compromise and teamwork by working with a partner.  Students will critically analyze and compare the many choices and feelings pioneers faced by researching pre-selected website links that contain historically accurate maps, facts and diaries of the pioneers. Students will practice the process of researching and sorting information by using the resources within this WebQuest. Students will also be encouraged to use creative problem-solving skills and decision-making skills by choosing how they prefer to create their final presentation, representing what they learned from this WebQuest.

Process

This lesson consists of 4 steps for student to follow in the Process section of the student page.  The students are asked to 1.) work with a partner 2.) Take notes researching background/overview information 3.) Research and take notes on the many details necessary to plan for their trip west, and 4.) Create a final project to present in any creative format the student chooses, with teacher approval.

This WebQuest should be considered a significant project that extends across multiple class periods/days. Students should be provided approximately 4-5 periods of computer time exploring the WebQuest resources, depending on the structure of class periods. Partners may need 2 periods to organize and analyze their notes and decide on their creative project.  Then, students should be provided 4-6 periods of class time to work on their creative presentation projects. Approximately 1-1.5 periods should be made available for students to present and explain their projects to the class. The teacher should also plan for closure time to review unit highlights and relate students' presentations. This unit is multidisciplinary and thematically integrates many subjects, which may allow for longer periods of class time.  This unit could span approximately 2.5 weeks.  

The Student's Tasks:

Since you have decided to take the opportunity to head west for free land and a new beginning, you have many details to consider.  Below, you will find links to websites that will help guide you to the information you need to make decisions for your journey.  Remember to take notes on important details you find in your notebook.  Your notes will be very important for you to refer to as you create your presentation.  

Follow these steps:

1. First, you will need to choose a partner for your journey.
2. Next, you will need to learn about your journey so you can plan details, be prepared and make decisions.  Click on the highlighted words and you will be taken to a website about the highlighted topic.  Remember to take notes in your notebook during your WebQuest.

Variations / Considerations

Students may not have experienced a research project or taking notes.  Students may need to be introduced to the concepts of how to gather and find data; how to take notes by paraphrasing highlights rather than copying everything; or how to delegate responsibilities when working with partners or groups on a projects.  Spending time on these skills will enhance efficiency in students exposure to research and note-taking on this WebQuest.

Teachers should be flexible in allowing and approving students' creative choices of expression through their projects. Allowing student choice and control can increase motivation and participation.

Resources Needed

Having books either from the school library or other sources related to The Oregon Trail or the Westward Expansion may be useful as additional resources.  These books may also be used if partners must wait to use computers if there aren't enough computers to use simultaneously.

Evaluation

Conclusion

Through this WebQuest, students will access many pre-selected online resources to gather information on The Oregon Trail.  Students will research and share their understanding of the choices, hardships and experiences of the pioneers traveling west.

Allowing students freedom to choose how they creatively present their project can be an important factor to enhancing motivation, and thereby, learning. Students are encouraged to be creative in developing their authentic presentation, highlighting what they learned from this WebQuest.

Credits & References