Pioneers, part 9: On the Trail

Monday: Timeline

Add "1849-1850: Gold Rush to California." on timeline. Have your student research the Gold Rush and write a paragraph about it in his history notebook.

Tuesday: Journal Writing

(Those on the California Trail)

The wagon train is traveling along the Humboldt River, which is about 290 miles long. The grass supply is so short that your guide is afraid the livestock will not have enough to eat. Alkaline dust is irritating everyone's throats and eyes.

(Those on the  Oregon Trail)

You are continuing northwest. You guide says that the wagon train needs to stop for a long rest (few days), but the wagon train can choose which one. Do you want to stop at Soda Springs, Fort Hall or Fort Boise? (Research the differences, if needed.)

(If they go on the Burial Grounds Trail) Many wagons are running low on water and the only water near tonight's camp is dirty and stagnant. The guide has called for a wagon train meeting to decide what to do about this problem. What do you suggest? Do you think others will agree with you? What do you think their suggestions would be?

(If on the Burial Grounds Trail) As you are traveling near the sacred burial grounds, a large band of Indians begin to follow you. Your guide is worried that they may attack and has ordered all wagons lightened in case you must make a run for it. The guide hopes that you can get close enough to the nearest Fort that the Indians will be afraid to attack. What do you decide to leave behind? Why did you choose those things? Will there be consequences for leaving those things behind?

(On the Burial Grounds Trail) Your wagon train has been attempting to outrun the Indians who have taken up the chase. It is almost dusk and you all realize that you will not be close enough to the next Fort for help, so the decision has been made to stop, circle the wagons and hope you can successfully defend yourselves against any attack that may occur. A fight suddenly begins at dawn with 30+ warriors attacking your wagon train. Is anyone hit? If so, what happens?

(If on the Burial Grounds Trail) During the fight, some of the livestock were run off an lost. Was it an oxen, cows, goats, mules, or horses. Do you find your lost animals? 

(If on the Cheyenne River Trail) Three young men from your wagon train who are known as hothead because they are fast with guns, fists and mouth, rode into camp late this afternoon with the scalps of two Indians. The three had spotted a small hunting party from a nearby village. They tracked the Indians down, killed them and scalped two of the hunters. The guide has called for a wagon train meeting to decide what to do about these men before hostilities break out. What is decided?

(On the Cheyenne River Trail) You have been out for several months and you have been using a lot of your food and some of your supplies. Food is beginning to run short. You  are becoming weak, if the wagon does not carry the following items, sugar, Pinto beans, salt, dried meat, flour. Describe how you feel and if you can bargain some of your possessions for those needed food items.

Wednesday-Friday: Research

Have your student work on his research paper and on his Trail Guide.