Lesson Plan Outline

 Michaela Socha
Allison Hasenkamp
Main page

Grade:

4th or 5th

Subject Matter:

Social Studies and History

Lesson:

Going West: Pioneer Life on the Oregon Trail

Activity Objectives:

Students will be able to understand the role of migration and immigration of people in the development of the United States

Students will be able to describe the conditions and hardships that the pioneers faced

Students will be able to think critically and use analytical skills

Instructional Technique:

Group work will involve 3-4 students

Open discussion with students

Teacher Lecture

Students will finish lesson with interactive web quiz

Instruction Materials:

YouTube video

Journal materials

Instructions for website

Procedure:

Introductory Activity:  Before beginning the lesson, give the students a homework assignment to find out as much as possible about how their family came to the west.

Give each student a journal to write how and why their families came to the west

Divide the students into small groups of 3 to 4. Have the students compare the similarities and dissimilarities of their migration to the west.

Explain to the students why people moved west, when it begin, how long it took, and the obstacles faced along the way

Ask the students what materials and supplies they think would be needed for the journey and list them on the board

Tell the students what the pioneers took on the trip and compare the two lists

Show students a video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdbnriTpg_M

Finish the video when the question appears and ask the students:

“What was at least three things you learned about covered wagons?”

Still in same groups, have students discuss what they students learned about the Oregon Trail and have one student from each group report what they learned to the class

Closing:

Discussion with the students on how The Oregon Trail has influenced our lives today

Evaluation:

Interactive Web Quiz about The Oregon Trail

Once completed, students will be able to see final score

Teacher will report a grade for each student