Lesson Plan - Blazing a Trail

Watch the Video
Build background knowledge about the Oregon Trail by playing the video “Kids on the Oregon Trail.” Ask: What were some of the responsibilities kids had on the Oregon Trail?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• migrated
• pioneers

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about the challenges people faced on the Oregon Trail.

1. What is the meaning of the word migrated as it is used in the article? Where were Americans migrating to when they traveled the Oregon Trail?
The word migrated means “moved from one place to another.” The Americans who traveled the Oregon Trail were migrating west to what is now Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. That area was known as Oregon Country.
^{(RI.3.4 Determine Meaning)}

2. Why did the U.S. government encourage people to go west in the 1840s?
The U.S. government encouraged people to go west in the 1840s because they wanted Americans to settle in Oregon Country. The article explains that “the goal was to make the country bigger.”
^{(RI.3.3 Cause and Effect)}

3. Based on the article, describe three dangers that pioneers faced as they traveled on the Oregon Trail.
Sample response: Three dangers that pioneers faced as they traveled on the Oregon Trail were crossing raging rivers, a deadly disease called cholera, and lack of food.
^{(RI.3.2 Main Idea and Key Details)}

FEATURED SKILL: Reading a Map

Distribute the skill builder “Map It Out!” to have students read a map of the Oregon Trail route and answer questions.

^{(RI.3.7 Text Features)}