On the Oregon Trail

Researching Landmarks on the Oregon Trail

Oregon Trail
Resources | Books | Lesson Plans | Handouts | Web Based Activities
Literacy | Worksheets

On the Oregon Trail Landmarks, people, diaries, web inquiry, puzzles...
In Search of the Oregon Trail (Gr. 4+) From PBS. Facts, Myths, Trivia, and Teacher's Guide.
Oregon Trail (Gr. 4+) Based on the PBS Documentary.
Oregon Trail Adventure Can you get your wagon all the way to Oregon by showing your knowledge of landmarks on the Oregon Trail (see right).
Landmarks on the Oregon Trail Reports on many of the Oregon Trail landmarks.
Westward Bound Home Page Information about The Trails, Natural Obstacles, Illnesses, Transportation Problems, and Dealing with Strangers.
American History Click on Westward Expansion.
At Home on the Fringes of the Prairie: 1800-1850 Timeline, maps, clues to the past, and teacher resources.
End of the Oregon Trail
Oregon Trail Information Center
The Oregon Trail Historic sites, fascinating facts...
Pioneers (ThinkQuest Jr.)
Pioneer Ways of Preparing and Cooking Meat
Wagon Trains Great photos and lots of information about wagon trains.

Across the Plains in '64 This is the story of my great-great-grandfather's family crossing the plains in a covered wagon in 1864 from a copy of the book which was given to my father.
Early Oregon Pioneers (Oregon Genealogical Society Pioneer Certificate Project)
People in the West
The Whitman's (PBS) Among the first American settlers in the West, the Whitmans played an important role in opening the Oregon Trail and left a tragic legacy that would continue to haunt relations between whites and Indians for decades after their deaths.
Women of the West And Every Day Life Along the Trail.

Oregon Trail Teacher's Guide Indians, Missionaries, Pioneers, and activities for Spelling, Maps, PE, Science, Arts & Crafts, etc. (Whitman Mission National Historic Site).

Emigrant - An Oregon Trail Adventure Emigrant Road is a travelogue film presentation that tells the story of what it might have been like to travel along the Oregon Trail in the 1840's and 1850's.
Gallery of the Open Frontier (Gr. 2+) Images and searchable captions.

Trail Books of Interest for Elementary Age Students
Going West

To Order Books from Amazon.com -

  - Resource Books -

Westward Ho! - An Activity Guide to the Wild West by Laurie Carlson

  - Ages 4-8 -

The Ballad of Lucy Whipple by Karen Cushman
Pioneer Life from A to Z (Kalman, Bobbie, Alphabasics.) by Bobbie D. Kalman
The Wagon Train (Life in the Old West) by Bobbie D. Kalman
Westward Ho! - The Story of the Pioneers (Picture Landmark Books) by Lucille Recht Penner

  - Ages 9-12 -

Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie - The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell
Bound for Oregon by Jean Van Leeuwen
Daily Life in a Covered Wagon by Paul Erickson
If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon by Ellen Levine
A Frontier Fort on the Oregon Trail (Inside Story) by Scott Steedman
How Would You Survive in the American West- (How Would You Survive) by Jacqueline Morley
On to Oregon by Honore Morrow
Pioneer Days - Discover the Past With Fun Projects, Games, Activities, and Recipes by David C. King (see right)
Pioneer Girl - Growing Up on the Prairie by Andrea Warren
The Pioneers Go West (Landmark Books) by George Rippey Stewart
Wagons West! by Roy Gerrard

= Lesson plans using the Internet.

Westward Expansion (Gr. 1-3) Investigate the pioneer movement: modes of transportation, reasons for moving, people involved, and the life in general.

At Home on the Fringes of the Prairie: 1800-1850 (Gr. 3-5) Discussion questions, create a collage, create a memory box, and plan a trip.
Life on the Oregon Trail (Gr. 4) Students learn about the Oregon Trail and demonstrate learning through a HyperStudio project.
The Oregon Trail (Gr. 3) Students will to create a dialog between a Native American and a pioneer.
Oregon Trail Diary (Gr. 5+) This diary simulation provides opportunities for students to write their own historical fiction and to gain a deeper understanding of the various landmarks of the Oregon Trail.
Oregon Trail Unit (Gr. 4) The student will be introduced to a 3-4 week simulation unit on the westward movement.
Pioneers: Comparing the Past with the Present (Gr. 3-5) Through the research in this project, they will compare various aspects of modern life with life during pioneer times.
Thrills and Spills on the Oregon Trail (Gr. 5-9) Use the Internet to gather information, then create your own Oregon Trail game.
Travel the Trail Brochures (Gr. 4-5) Working in teams of 2-3 students, each team will design a computer generated travel brochure advertising the taking of the trek to Oregon.
Westward Ho (Gr. 5) Travel the TLC (Teaching and Learning with Computers) trails to expand your knowledge of the pioneers' trip westward.
Westward Ho!!! (Gr. 4-5) Your wagon team may choose to present your findings in one of the following forms: a replica diary complete with illustrations, an on site news broadcast from various legs of the journey or personal testimonial of the team members.
Westward Movement Language Arts Integration (Gr. 5) Books, writing activities, etc.
Westward Movement Math Integration (Gr. 5) Integrating mathematics into study of the Westward Movement.
Westward Movement Science Integration (Gr. 5)
What to Take on the Oregon Trail (Gr. 4-6) Students distinguish between wants and needs as they pack their wagon for the Oregon Trail.

At Home on the Fringes of the Prairie: 1800-1850 (Gr. 6-8) Discussion questions, story starter, write a memoir, and a debate.
Oregon Trail Diary (Gr. 6-11) This diary simulation provides dual opportunities for students to write their own historical fiction as well as to gain a deeper understanding of the various landmarks and trails of the Oregon Trail.
The Oregon Trail Unit Lesson Plans (Gr. 6-8) Students will access information on pioneer life and recreate the atmosphere surrounding the trek to Oregon.
Thrills and Spills on the Oregon Trail (Gr. 5-9) Use the Internet to gather information, then create your own Oregon Trail game.

Oregon Trail Diary (Gr. 6-11) This diary simulation provides dual opportunities for students to write their own historical fiction as well as to gain a deeper understanding of the various landmarks and trails of the  Oregon Trail.

Oregon Trail Landmarks (from Connecting Students)

America's Old West (1800s) A tour of the West.
Go West - Traveling the Oregon Trail Take your students on the Oregon Trail through this Webquest.
Oregon Trail (42eXplore) Construct a Covered Wagon, Compare the Oregon Trail to the Lewis & Clark Trail...
Oregon Trail Junction An Oregon Trail Webquest.
Plants and Animals Along the Oregon Trail
Westward Ho! Your team must document a record of your journey westward.
Westward Ho! (Gr. 4+) Collaborative wagon train adventure for the entire class.
Westward Ho! Your task is to pretend that you are a member of a group of pioneers selected by the government to complete the Oregon Trail.
Westward Ho! On the Oregon Trail (Gr. 3-5) The student will participate in a variety of activities that include: Internet searches, multimedia presentations, role playing, journal writing, scientific experimentation, newsletter writing, creating a quilt that depicts their experiences...
Trail Maps of the California & Oregon Trails See landmarks and places on the trails.

TrackStar Activities (Gr. 3-5)
A Historical View of Westward Expansion
The Oregon Trail
Oregon Trail Articles
Pioneer Women In History