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If you do not have much information regarding the Oregon Trail, I recommend the included Oregon Trail Presentation.
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If you have your own curriculum regarding the Oregon Trail, you can easily use this simulation along-side whatever you may already be teaching. The entire class learns about the trail at the same pace, but it is a race in that the first wagon to get to Oregon in the least amount of “trail days” becomes the winner! This activity truly keeps students engaged while learning about the Oregon Trail. Ultimately, the simulation ends when we get to Oregon. Each journal is from the perspective of their character with the variety of experiences from their specific wagon train. It is fun to read through the student journal entries as each one is so very different. This aspect of journaling combines the learning of historical content with creative writing. As we complete each leg of the journey, students are directed to record their experiences in their own personal journal documenting the trail. Throughout this entire process, I’ll explain the various historical content by lecturing on the forts, landmarks, trials, and the daily life on the trail. During their traveling, students can also stop to go hunting or fishing, and their success is also determined by the rolling of dice. This event requires the team to add an extra day in order to fix and replace the axel if they had purchased an extra axel at one of the previous forts. If their second dice is a 2, a broken wagon axel is the outcome.
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For example, If a team rolls a 1, they will have an equipment problem. In this dice rolling of the Oregon Trail Simulation, a traveling guide explains the various outcomes according to the dice being rolled. All wagons travel the same trail, but their speed and outcome is all determined by the rolling of dice. By rolling dice, keeping track of supplies, and following a map, students get to learn about this historical event in an enjoyable way. Grouped into wagon trains, students must depend on teamwork to successfully finish the trail. Not only are the students learning history, but with all the documenting, they will challenge their math skills as well! One student keeps track of the money, another records all supplies purchased or used, the third emigrant is responsible for adding and subtracting all pounds of food purchased or eaten, and finally one team member keeps track of the calendar by documenting how many days each stretch of the journey has taken. During this time, and for the entire journey, each member of the group has a specific task to keep the group organized. When they receive their money, teams prepare for the long journey by purchasing supplies at the “Jumping Off” point in Independence, Missouri. After creating their family history, teams determine their income and occupation by rolling dice. Each wagon team creates their own family relationships and a story as to why they are heading west. It’s definitely a class favorite when we study our unit on westward expansion! I start the simulation by teaming the students into family wagons.
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This Oregon Trail lesson plan and interactive activity gives upper elementary and middle school students a glimpse of what life was like on the actual trail.