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Pioneer Life Web Center

This center will help you to use the Internet to learn more about what life was like for American pioneers who settled in the west between 1830-1850.  Follow each of the steps below.  The goal for this center is that you will be able to compare life for pioneer children to your own life today.  When you have completed all of these steps, be sure to mark your name on the web center chart to show that you have completed this center.

1.  Farm Work

Click here to visit a site that describes the farm chores pioneer children helped with.  Scroll through this whole page.  Find 3 things pioneer children helped with on the farm, and list them on your paper.  When you have finished, hit the BACK button to return to this page.

Click here to visit a site that explains what school life was like for pioneer children.  Find 2 things that are similar to your own school life, and 2 things that are different.  Record them on your paper.  When you have finished, hit the BACK button to return to this page.

Click here to learn about how pioneer children had fun!  After reading through this site, answer this question on your paper.  What 3 toys that you have now would you take with you to show to pioneer children if you could go back in time?  Why?  When you have finished, hit the BACK button to return to this page.

Click here to get some information on pioneer cures and medicine.  While you read, list two medicines you would be willing to try, and two that you would not!  When you have finished, hit the BACK button to return to this page.

5.  House Work

Click here to find out about household chores pioneer children were expected to do.  Review the site again, and then list any chores that pioneer children did that you are also responsible for - or could possibly be responsible for - at your house.  When you have finished, hit the BACK button to return to this page.

Take three index cards from the pile located in the front of the room.

A.  You will add the first index card to the concept map located in our hallway.  On this card, write a fact about the life of a pioneer child. On the other card, write a characteristic of your own life that shows how different the two are.  Be sure that you do not repeat any answers that are already on our concept map!  When you have written your cards, add them to the display in the appropriate location.

B.  During your Internet session you learned many new facts about pioneer life.  BUT, there are also many things about pioneer life that you have not had an opportunity to explore.  On your final card, write one question about pioneer life that you would like to have answered.  Put the question in the envelope marked "QUESTIONS FOR PIONEER EXPERT" located on the concept map display.  When everyone in the class has completed a question, we will do some research and share the answers as a class.

You have now completed the basic web center, but you are welcome to do some more Internet exploring if you have time. Find as many sites as you can that deal with the life of a pioneer child. If you find something really interesting, share it with the class.

    Copyright 1998 Jan Purnell 
Permission granted to reproduce only for use in the classroom.
PLEASE READ THIS STATEMENT BEFORE COPYING THIS MATERIAL IN ANY FORM.

Are you interested in more American History projects for use in your classroom? Check out my book, USING THE INTERNET: AMERICAN HISTORY PROJECTS FOR THE GIFTED CLASSROOM, GRADES 4 - 8, available through Gifted Education Press. Focusing on performance task activities and projects, this activity book is suitable for any American History classroom - regular or gifted. The book is available for sale at the Gifted Education Press webpage.