By Rosi Barron

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•Fifth Grade Space: Westward Movement and the Pioneers

•Tips:-Teachers, please read through the wholepresentation prior to the activity.

-Each activity is meant to be used in addition toyour classroom teaching.

-Each activity includes a journal component.

•Objective: TSW demonstrate how the Westward Movement led to the expansion of settlement.

Glossary

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Pioneers were the 1st people to settle the frontiers of North America. The pioneers were

farmers, doctors, shopkeepers, blacksmiths,lawyers and so on. They came from many places in

the United States, but the majority of their ancestors came from European countries. These pioneers gave up many things. They saved money, sold their

land & possessions, or agreed to work for others on the trip.

•A doctor who is newly married with a baby on the way.

•A farmer looking for a new start, with a wife & 2 children.

•A blacksmith who is single.

•A minister who is a widow with 2 teenage sons.

•A school teacher.

•A young couple just starting out.

Choose one of the following occupations.

The Oregon Trail was one of the most famous trails. It was the longest overland trail in North America. In 1843 the “Great Migration” to Oregon began.

The trail started in Independence, Missouri and went past Chimney Rock, Nebraska. It crossed the SW tip of Wyoming and into southern Idaho. The trail ended in the NW corner of Oregon. It took them about 6 months to travel the 2000 miles from Independence, Missouri.

They would take as many supplies as they

could. They took baking supplies, dried meats and beans, and a large barrel of water. If

they had a cow it would be brought for milk or meat. They

brought clothing, tools and repair kits for

both.

Think about the occupation you chose. Decide what you are taking with you.This item/weight

table may help. Your wagon will only carry 2000 pounds.Ax 15

shovel 12 hatchet 9 hammer 7 hoe 3 anvil 150 grinding stone 75 animal trap 15 rope 4

Bible 2 hunting knife 1 bag of clothes

40 rifle10 pistol

7 1st aid kit

3 fiddle 2

snowshoes 8

More items on next page --->

Coffee grinder 5 rug 40 bedding 20 table/chairs 200 cradle 75 bucket 10 bedpan 2 rocking chair 50 pitcher/bowl 5 cooking stove 700 cooking utensils 2 spinning wheel 80 10 candles 1 set of dishes 40

flour 150 tea 10 salt 50 sugar 50 coffee 100 bacon 40 dried beans 100 cornmeal 10 spit peas 100 oatmeal 8 vinegar 25 dried beef 25 salt pork 5 barrel of water 350

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Most of the pioneers traveled in conestoga wagons. They

were pulled by oxen because they were stronger than mules

or horses. The father of the family would drive the oxen by

walking beside the wagon. Children would walk behind the wagon most of the time.

The Pioneers traveled in a wagon usually made of hickory, oak, or maple. A wooden piece made from hickory stuck out from the front of the wagon. This piece called a tongue was connected to the yoke of the oxen. There were 4 to 7 big wooden hoops, called bows that were bent from side to side. There was a canvas pulled across the hoops that would keep out the rain, wind, and the hot sunshine. Pioneers would rub oil on the canvas to make it waterproof. Inside the wagon there were many hooks that hung from the wooden hoops. They could hang weapons, clothes, milk cans, and anything there was room for. Underneath the back wheels there was a bucket full of grease hanging from the axle. This was used to make the wheels run smoothly.

1. Use the information from this presentation and from your studies about Pioneers to write eight to ten diary entries describing your journey from Independence to Oregon.

2. Include a paragraph about the reasons behind your decision to move to the West.

Glossary:

Glossary:ANCESTORS: people from

whom you are descended; your relatives.

AXLE: a pin, pole, or bar on or with which a wheel revolves.

CONESTOGA: a covered wagon used to carry freight across the prairies.

FRONTIER: a place that has never been seen.

RETURN

OXEN: a kind of cattle used for pulling heavy loads, milk, and meat.

PIONEERS: someone who went to an area before it was settled.

WATERPROOF: not letting water through.

YOKE: a device that holds two working animals (like oxen) together.