1. Take out pages 93 and 94 of your notebook and discuss with your group:
Warm Up:
Take out pages 93 and 94 of your notebook and discuss with your group:
What have you written down so far? What can you add?
What hardships have Mary Anne and her family experienced so far?

2. What dangers did pioneers face as they traveled west?
Today’s Question:
What dangers did pioneers face as they traveled west?

3. Activities:
In groups: Look at placards, record dangers along the Oregon Trail
Create “Danger Sign”
Continue reading: To Stay Alive

5. Trails heading west:

7. Geographic Obstacles on the Oregon Trail:
You will receive a placard showing one geographic feature pioneers would encounter on the Oregon trail.
Look at the picture closely and read the question(s) on the placard.
Discuss the question(s) and write your response in the appropriate section of your map.
When you are done with your placard, have one partner bring it up to me and I will give you another one.

8. Great Plains

9. Platte River

10. Rocky Mountains

11. South Pass

12. Great Basin

13. Blue Mountains

14. Columbia River

15. Wilamette Valley

16. Wrap Up:
What were the biggest challenges that the pioneers faced along the Oregon Trail?
What feelings must they have experienced? How do you think they dealt with this?
What three adjectives best describe the pioneers who traveled along the Oregon Trail?

17. Danger Sign:
Create a “danger sign” that might have been posted at the beginning of the Oregon Trail to warn pioneers of the geographic challenges ahead. The sign should contain a bold title, a catchy statement, colorful visuals, and other appropriate creative touches.