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GIS: Oregon Trail

Summary

Students will use information from a unit on the Oregon Trail and GIS to make an Oregon Trail diary.


Materials

Attachments

  • Arcview 3.2: Oregon Trail project
  • Arcview Voyager (for introduction to Arcview)
  • Informational texts on Oregon Trail ( Overland Trail ) include a historical fiction journal and other genres.
  • Print out copy of at least one map from Arcview Oregon Trail project. (backup)
  • Craft supplies for covers on their diaries


Instructional Procedures

Objectives:
Students will:

  1. Identify a major turning point in American history: 19 th century emigration and expansion.
  2. Use maps and tools to gather information on the United States.
  3. Read to collect data and form ideas.
  4. Take notes to record information for later use.
  5. Use chronological ordering in their writing.
  6. Write an imaginative text.
  7. Share parts of their original text with peers.

Lessons: This project is for use after an extensive unit on Oregon Trail (average lesson time 1 to 1½ hours)

Day 1: Introduce students to Arcview by using Arcview Voyager. Makes sure to cover zooming in and out, pull down menus, activating/turning on themes, names of different windows. Allow students time to explore the program.

Day 2: Begin students working on the Student Guide. You may want to work with them through the first part or let them work independently or with small groups. This depends on the ability of the group. Students should be able to complete up to the drawing section.

Day 3: Students should complete the drawing section on two maps. Afterward they should begin to write the rough copy of their Oregon Trail diary. Make sure all reference books are available for use for the next several days.

Days4-7: Students will work on completing their Oregon Trail diaries. This time allows for research, completion of rough copy, conferencing with teacher, proofreading, writing the final copy, and publication. Have supplies available for making covers.

Day 8: Publishing and sharing of their diaries. Have available supplies for making covers for their diaries. Students need only share selected parts of their journals.


Bibliography

Copyright © 1999 ESRI Canada


Created: 07/01/2004
Updated: 02/04/2018
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