Oregon Trail Worksheet

Use this worksheet with the Oregon Trail lesson plan. Team Name (state):___________________________________

Team Roles: Map Maker:_____________________________________

Site Maker:_____________________________________

Photo Maker:____________________________________

Steps:

1.Map Maker: Go to the following website: http://www.isu.edu/~trinmich/Sites.html . Once you’re there, click on the name of your state. Now, on the back of this worksheet, draw a picture of your state, but don’t use the color red! Fill the ENTIRE sheet with your state. You may add basic geographic features. Then, in pencil, lightly draw in the Oregon Trail as it appears on the map.

2.Site Maker & Photo Maker: Together, go to the following website: http://www.isu.edu/~trinmich/Sites.html . Once you’re there, click on the name of your state. Both of you must look at each of the historic sites on the map of your state. Choose one that you think is the most interesting.

3.Map Maker: When you are done drawing your state, meet with the Map Makers from the other groups. Have the United States map in front of you. Your job is to tape your states together just like they appear on the United States map. Then, in red crayon, connect the Oregon Trail across all of the states.

4.Site Maker: Write a one-paragraph description of a historic site. Include the name of the site, its location, and its significance to the Oregon Trail. Now, meet with the Map Makers. Put an "X" on the Oregon Trail where your historic site is located and tape the description near it, without covering up too much of the map.

5.Photo Maker: After you help the Site Maker choose the historical site in your state, go to: http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/ and follow these steps. Put a check next to each step as you finish it:

	Scroll down to the bottom of the main screen, look for a red button called "Search Site," and click on it. You’ll get a screen that’s called "Searching THE WEST."

	Type in the name of your state in the box below the photo and click on the button called "Search." You’ll get a long list of links related to your state.

	Only a few of them are photos. Find a photo that you like. Hint: most of the photos do not have "THE WEST" in the link description. Be sure that the photo was taken in your state.

	Once you find a photo that you like, copy the description below it onto the back of your worksheet.

	Then, back at the computer, click on the button called "Print" at the very top right of the computer screen or click on the word "File" at the upper left of the computer screen and choose "Print" from the menu that appears.

	After you print out the photo, cut it out with scissors. Also, cut out the description you wrote.

	Now, join the Map Makers. Tape your photo and description near your state without covering up too much of the map.

Return to Oregon Trail lesson plan.

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