Computer- Based Lesson Plans: Navigating the Oregon Trail  by  Valerie Conrady

Title:  Navigating the Oregon Trail

Learner Level:     Adults, 5^th to 7^th Grade Reading Levels

Pre-Instruction:  Computer Skills Survey, given orally, and Internet Navigation instruction

Duration:   3 – 3 hour sessions 

Materials:   Internet, Microsoft Word, The Learning Company’s Oregon Trail software, Activity      Check-off Sheet

Objectives:  To practice basic Internet navigation skills

                     To find and summarize information from a Web site

                     To practice decision making and problem solving skills through The Learning Company’s Oregon Trail software

                     To use the Microsoft Word processing program to complete a three paragraph essay

Procedure:    

Day One: 

1. Go to http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0210182/.

Click on Sitemap (Guidebook) and read each category.  Listen to “trail sounds.”

2.      Go to http://www.endoftheoregontrail.oeg/maplibrary/oregontrail.html.

Click on each state for more detail.

3.      Go to http://www.oregontrailcenter.org/showitem.php?item_id=27.

Read the timeline.

Day Two: 

1.   Go to http://oregon-trail.com/. 

While reading each section, listen to excerpts from Historians.

2.      Go to http://204.234.22.1/SDGI/Newell/Immigration.html. 

Click on each part of the chart for information.

Day Three: 

1. Play The Learning Company’s Oregon Trail.

2.      Using Microsoft Word,  compose a three paragraph essay on the hardships the pioneers faced on the Oregon Trail.    

Evaluation: 

Activity Check-off Sheet to be completed by the learner, Essay to be evaluated by the instructor