Westward Expansion

Introduction 

How do you balance opportunity with possible risks?  What would it be like to be a member of a wagon train heading west in the late 1800s?  This webquest will introduce you to pioneers that risked everything for the chance of a new life.  You will learn reasons why they came and the obstacles they faced during their journey.  You will be looking at websites, maps, photographs, excerpts from diaries and letters, and historical resources to help you learn more about the pioneers of the west.

Time Magazine is creating a special issue highlighting periods of American history.  Your fifth grade historical newsteam has been assigned to create a four-page magazine spread for the westward expansion period.

Each person in your group will assume one of the following roles to make up your newsteam:

 

Reporter

Scientist

Correspondent

Historian

Photographer/Cartographer

1. Each member of your group must decide on a role to create for the newsteam.

2. The duties for each role are as follows:
 

Reporter: will be responsible for writing a news story that explains the westward migration movement.  The story should explain the 5 W's of this period in history.

Scientist: will report on the wildlife, natural hazards and physical hazards that the wagon train may encounter along the journey.

Correspondent: will be responsible for keeping a diary or journal for a typical wagon train.  The journal must have a minimum of 4 entries (beginning of trip, 1-2 months into the trip, 3-4 months into trip, and reaching destination) It should be based on fact.

Historian: will be responsible for capturing some of the unusual (funny, out of the ordinary) stories, dispelling common myths of wagon trains, and researching two of the Native American tribes the pioneers may encounter.

Photographer/Cartographer: will be responsible for capturing images that show life along the trail, finding maps depicting trails that were used, writing captions for each image, and describing the many geographic features that the pioneers needed to cross.

3. Once you have decided on your staff, research the Internet and other resources for information that will allow you to write your article.
 

4. Write your articles.

5. Edit your articles.  Allow teammates to read articles and offer advice for improving.

6. Layout your magazine spread.

7. Publish your magazine spread.

Click on your role below. Use the links to answer the questions about your topic. Take notes. Write your articles.