Westward Dreams Slides Westward Dreams
Why did people move West?
The Big Idea
Long ago, many people in the United States decided to move.
They left their homes in the East.
They headed to the West to find a new life.
"Going West was a huge adventure!"
Free Land
The government promised free land to farmers.
In the East, land was expensive and crowded.
In the West, there was plenty of space for crops and animals.
Farming the West
Gold Rush!
In 1848, gold was found in California.
Thousands of people rushed west to get rich quick.
They were called "Forty-Niners."
Finding Fortune
A New Start
Some people wanted to escape slavery in the East.
Others wanted to live in a place with more freedom.
The West was a place to start over.
Think About It
1
What were two things people hoped to find in the West?
2
Why did farmers want to move away from the East?
3
How would you feel if your family decided to move to a place you had never seen?
Push and Pull Sort Activity Push and Pull Sort
Name: _________________________
Date: __________________________
Instructions: Cut out the boxes at the bottom. Sort them into the correct columns. Push Factors are reasons to leave . Pull Factors are reasons to go .
Push Factors
Pull Factors
Cut along the dotted lines
Not enough jobs in the East
Free land for farming
Cities are too crowded
Finding gold to get rich
Escape from slavery
Better life and freedom
Push and Pull Answer Key Answer Key
Teacher Resource
Push and Pull Sort
Push Factors
Not enough jobs in the East
Cities are too crowded
Escape from slavery
Pull Factors
Free land for farming
Finding gold to get rich
Better life and freedom
Teaching Tips
Vocabulary Support: Pre-teach "Factor" as a "Reason why."Visual Aids: Use arrows pointing away for Push and toward for Pull.Scaffolding: Encourage students to think about why families would risk everything to leave home. Going West Review Worksheet Going West Review
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
Instructions: Use the words in the box to fill in the blanks. Then, answer the questions at the bottom.
Gold
Farmers
West
East
Freedom
Land
1. Long ago, people left their homes in the .
2. They traveled to find a new life.
3. The government promised people free .
4. wanted more space to grow crops.
5. People went to California to find .
6. People moved to find more .
Who were the "Forty-Niners"?
What was one reason the East was hard to live in?
Why did families want to move West?
Going West Review Key Answer Key
Teacher Resource
Going West Review
Fill in the Blank
1. Long ago, people left their homes in the East.
2. They traveled West to find a new life.
3. The government promised people free Land.
4. Farmers wanted more space to grow crops.
5. People went to California to find Gold.
6. People moved to find more Freedom.
WH Questions
7. Who were the "Forty-Niners"?
People who went to California in 1849 to find gold.
8. What was one reason the East was hard to live in?
It was too crowded, or it was expensive, or jobs were hard to find.
9. Why did families want to move West?
To get free land, find gold, start over, or have more freedom.
Trail Life Slides Trail Life
The Journey on the Oregon Trail
The Prairie Schooner
Families traveled in covered wagons.
The wagons looked like small boats on land.
Oxen or mules pulled the heavy wagon across the dirt trail.
Home on Wheels
Packing Up
The wagon was small. Families had to pack carefully!
Needs:
• Flour, bacon, and salt
• Tools for fixing things
• Extra clothes and boots
Wants (Leave Behind):
• Pianos and big beds
• Fancy dishes and clocks
• Large furniture
The Long Walk
2,000 MILES
Most people WALKED beside the wagon.
The wagon was too full of food and tools for people to ride.
The trip took 6 months to finish!
Daily Life
1
Wake up at 4:00 AM.
2
Walk 15 miles a day.
3
Find wood or buffalo chips for fire.
4
Sleep in tents or under the stars.
Dinner was usually bacon, beans, and hard bread (hardtack).
Review Time
How far did the pioneers walk?
Why couldn't people take a piano to Oregon?
What was one challenge pioneers faced every day?
Wagon Packing Sort Activity Pack the Wagon
Name: _________________________
Date: __________________________
Instructions: Cut out the items below. Paste Essential Supplies (needs) in the wagon. Paste Luxury Items (wants) in the "Leave Behind" box.
In the Wagon (Needs)
Leave Behind (Wants)
Cut along the dotted lines
100 lbs of Flour
Grand Piano
Tools for Repair
Glass Lamp
Extra Boots
Salt for Meat
Large Mirror
Oak Table
Wagon Packing Answer Key Answer Key
Teacher Resource
Pack the Wagon
In the Wagon (Essential Supplies)
100 lbs of Flour
Tools for Repair
Extra Boots
Salt for Meat
Leave Behind (Luxury Items)
Grand Piano
Glass Lamp
Large Mirror
Oak Table
Think & Discuss
Families often had to throw treasures away to keep the wagon light. Prompt: "If you had to leave your favorite thing behind to stay safe, what would it be?"
Trail Life Review Worksheet Trail Life Review
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
Instructions: Use the words in the box to fill in the blanks. Then, answer the questions at the bottom.
Wagon
Oxen
Walked
Six
Tools
Fire
1. Pioneers lived in a covered .
2. Large pulled the heavy load.
3. Most people beside the wagon.
4. It took about months to finish.
5. Families packed food and .
6. People used buffalo chips to make a .
Who traveled on the Oregon Trail?
What was one food the pioneers ate?
Why did people have to walk?
Trail Life Review Key Answer Key
Teacher Resource
Trail Life Review
Fill in the Blank
1. Pioneers lived in a covered Wagon for the journey.
2. Large Oxen pulled the heavy load.
3. Most people Walked beside the wagon every day.
4. It took about Six months to reach the West.
5. Families packed food and Tools to fix things.
6. People used buffalo chips to make a Fire for cooking.
WH Questions
7. Who traveled on the Oregon Trail?
Families, farmers, and pioneers looking for a new home.
8. What was one food the pioneers ate for dinner?
Bacon, beans, or hard bread (hardtack).
9. Why did people have to walk instead of ride?
The wagons were too heavy and full of supplies.
