The Oregon Trail

Over the past few months the third grade has been studying the Oregon Trail. The Oregon Trail is a time during American History when the Midwest/West coast of America hadn’t yet been explored. President Jefferson had decided to send two explorers, Lewis and Clarke, to see what was out there. Upon their return, it was found that there were vast amounts of land and great opportunities. Many people traveled west to seek a better life and more opportunities. The path that many of these pioneers took became known as the Oregon Trail. Their destination was usually Oregon or California.

Students were very excited about this topic because it was very unknown to them. They came up with many questions that they wanted answers too. In order to find the answers to these questions, the students researched and as they read they came up with more questions. These questions and answers were then used as the questions for the board game that they would be creating.

In order for the students to be able to create and design their game boards, we studied other more familiar board games and directions (Candyland, The Game of Life, Chutes and Ladders, and Monopoly etc.) The students worked in groups to design all aspects ranging from the questions, writing directions, the layout of the board, spaces on the game board.

As a way of celebrating completing the study of the Oregon Trail, parents were invited to come in and play the games with their kids. A great time was had by all!