Wagons West - Pioneers of the Westward Migration
Students, through higher level thinking, will develop a plan for moving a family west. Details will include what route to follow, what time of the year to start out, the time involved in the travel and what they need to include both for the trip and in order to establish a home upon their arrival in the new territory.
TWO PART ASSIGNMENT
Part 1. (Daily Grade) As a class we will determine what items/supplies will be required during travel and for homesteading. Each class will "load a wagon" for the trip by drawing a Conestoga wagon on craft paper and placing it in the hall. Students will then draw pictures of the items that would be required and place them in the wagon by tapping them to the craft paper. The class will decide what is to be taken and what must be left behind. Wanted items will be very limited by the space and capacity of the wagon. This is to develop and idea of the difficulties faced by the pioneers as well as a sense of what daily life consisted of during the mid 19th century in the lives of average people who were seeking out a better life.
Scoring
Part 1 (Daily Grade)
a. Participation/contribution to class decisions.
b. Justification as to what item they choose to take on the trip.
c. Drawing/tracing of the selected item. (Is it neat and identifiable?)
d. Placement of the item in the wagon with identification and a reason for the selection.
Part 2 (Test Grade) Each student will choose and complete one of two options.
Each student will write a story (at least 3 pages, handwritten & single spaced / 1 1/4 pages typed in #10 font and double spaced) or develop a storybook (10 pages or more), with illustrations, about moving to Texas in 1844 - 45, right after Texas was annexed as the 28th state. This paper/storybook should include information as to (1) where they are moving from, (2) what they need to take with them and why, (3) where they are moving to, (4)which trail/trails they choose to use and (5) difficulties (hostile indians, physical barriers, and weather) which they are likely to encounter. In addition students will address the (6) challenges they will meet upon arrival at their new home.
Scoring
Part 2 (Test Grade)
Option 1 - Short Story
a. Is the paper at least 3 pages in length? 20%
b. Does the title fit the subject of the paper? 10%
c. Is the paper well written with no spelling, grammar or punctuation errors? 25%
d. Did the writer address all required elements of the assignment? 25%
e. Did the writer explain the logic of the items they chose fot the task of travel and
homesteading? 20%
Option 2 - Children's Storybook
a. Is the storybook arranged in a logical/chronological order? 20%
b. Is the work neat and with minimal erasure/correction? 20%
c. Does the title fit the story? 10%
d. Are illustrations well done and in color or colored? 15%
e. Do the illustrations fit the story? 15%
f. Did the writer explain the logic of the items they chose for the task or traves and
homesteading? 20%
