ED 345 Calvin College Lesson Planning Form

Teacher: Date: Subject/ Topic/ Theme:

I. Objectives
What is the main focus of this lesson?
Dangers on the trail
How does this lesson tie in to a unit plan? (If applicable.)
Unit: Westward Expansion Lesson: Dangers on travelling west.
What are your objectives for this lesson? (As many as needed.) Indicate connections to applicable national or state standards. If
an objective applies to only certain students write the name(s) of the student(s) to whom it applies.

SWBAT describe why they made their prairie schooner the way they did.
SWBAT describe what they would take in their wagon
SWBAT describe what parts of the wagon they labelled
SWBAT discuss the various dangers on the trail
SWBAT put their knowledge to the test in an Oregon Trail game with small groups.

II. Before you start

Prerequisite knowledge and skills.
Lessons 1, 2, & 3

Assessment Rubric for their project and listening to each game group and how the students are doing
(formative and summative) answering those questions.

Materials-what materials (books,

A rubric for each student, Dangers on the Trail page of packet, Student made wagons, and
handouts, etc) do you need for this
Oregon Trail game
lesson and do you have them?

Do you need to set up your Students in desk groups and students on the floor.
classroom in any special way for
this lesson? If so, describe it.

III. The Plan

Time Parts The description of (script for) the lesson, wherein you describe teacher activities and student activities
Motivation
(Opening/
Introduction/ Alright! Everyone needs to grab their wagon and put in on their desk. Today we are going to take some
Engagement) time to hear about everyones wagons and then some of the dangers we may face on the trail!

Development Have each students come up and present their wagon.

 What did you make it out of? Why?
What would you bring along with you? Why?
What parts of the wagon did you label? What are they used for?
One question from the audience?
Snaps for each person when they finish.

Clap at the end for everyone. Awesome work!!

Gather on the floor in a circle.

Read Dangers on the Trail
(pick three students to read the paragraphs)

WOW! A lot of dangers!

Who can tell me some of the dangers?
Why would a buffalo stampede be bad?
Why do you think the overlanders would travel west even though there was so much danger?
Would you still travel west?

Alright now I am going to put you in groups for a game!

The game works like this:
Everyone is a different colored wagon. When it is your turn you pick a card. You read the question and
answer it. If you are right, you can spin the spinner and move the spaces it tells you. If you are wrong, put
the question back and it is the next persons turn.

Play! Walk around while they play and listen in.

Alright pause! We need to clean up. When your group is done putting the game away you each need to
Closure
tell me one thing you learned today or one question that was difficult to answer during the game.

Your reflection on the lesson including ideas for improvement for next time: