Westward Ho: The Difficulties of Emigrants Moving West

GeoHistory
GeoLiteracy
ELL
Lesson Plan Content
Description: 
After reading the letters and diaries written by a fictional family who was moving west along the Oregon Trail, the students will map the journey and understand the causes and effects of some of the difficulties experienced by this family. This lesson includes adaptations for diverse learners (ELLs).
Author: 
Jane Chambers
Grade Range: 
4-5
Duration: 
2 class periods
Lesson Materials
Teacher Instructions: 
Materials to Assist Teachers and English Language Learners: 
Standards
National Geography Standards: 
1: How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information
12: The processes, patterns, and functions of human settlement
13: How the forces of cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and control of Earth's surface
15: How physical systems affect human systems
17: How to apply geography to interpret the past