Title – The Great Wagon Road

By – Rebecca Lakes

Primary Subject – Social Studies

Secondary Subjects – Art

Grade Level – 5

Teaching Strategy: Whole/Small Group

Time Required: 60 minutes

I.  Concepts -

a.  Life on the frontier

b.  The Great Wagon Road

c.  Map making skills

II.  Alabama Course of Study Correlation-

a.  Social Studies # 2: “Read, organize, and interpret information using a variety of tools: maps.”

b.  Social Studies # 34: “Describe the exploration of the frontier.”

III.   Behavioral Objectives -

The students will be able to analyze what life was like on the frontier. The students will be able to discuss the importance of the Great Wagon Road. The students will discuss the vocabulary backcountry, loft, coureur de bois, and fall line. The students will create a map of the route the settlers might have taken to reach the frontier.

IV.  Materials -

• Map making materials: cardboard, construction paper, gummy bears, boxes, magazine scraps, etc
  
• Art supplies
  
• Vocabulary sheet
  
• Pre-made map to show students what they are doing

V.  Teaching/Learning Procedures -

a.  Motivation -
After stating my objectives I will motivate my students by asking how many of them once thought that they would love to live in the frontier days. I will tell how when I was young I loved to dress up and pretend that I lived in those days. I will explain that frontier life had much excitement, but also many hardships. I will expand on their background knowledge. I will ask questions about what they already know about frontier life. I will ask about specific hardships, travel, trade, etc.

b.  Instructional Procedures -

i.  First, we will read small sections from their textbook about frontier life.

ii.  We will discuss what was read. I will ask if they learned anything new about the frontier.

iii.  We will discuss the vocabulary words, and I will distribute the vocabulary sheets for the students to complete.

iv.  Then, we will talk about the Great Wagon Road and travel.

v. We will discuss the various routes the settlers might have traveled.

vi.   I will explain that they are going to make a map with a map key of a route that settlers might have traveled.

vii.   I will put the students into groups of four, and pass out materials.

viii.   I will give the procedures for working in groups, and encourage them to use their imagination.

ix.   The students will collaborate together to make their maps and map key. I will walk around and assist if needed.

c.   Closure -

The students will present their maps to the class. I will ask them what they have learned about frontier life and the Great Wagon Trail.

VI.   Evaluation -

I will assess the students by observation. I will also assess them by looking at their finished map product.

E-Mail

Rebecca Lakes

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