COVERED WAGONS!

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Goals:

This Curriculum web was developed by a Pennsylvania 4th grade teacher.  The Conestoga Wagon is listed in the Pennsylvania State Standards for History as a unique artifact of Pennsylvania.  Given the Conestoga Wagon's signifigance, and the signifigance of the covered wagon to United States History, it is an artifact that all students should learn more about. 

 

Rationale:

From a practical standpoint, teaching about covered wagons and their impact on American history would fall under the subject of social studies.  In my district at the elementary level, the amount of academic time given to social studies is minimal.  There is much important material that the students should learn about American history in an elementary school.  Most of this material is disappearing or is being watered down and integrated into other subjects, such as math and reading.  By making a covered wagon lesson into a curriculum web, I can take back some social studies curriculum time. 

            Not only is the covered wagon important in American history, it is important in Pennsylvania history.  In fact one of the most popular types of covered wagons, the Conestoga wagon, was originally produced in the Conestoga Valley which is less than two hours from our school district.  Teaching the students about this valuable piece of state history gives them a sense of Pennsylvanian pride, as well as learning about local heritage.  Although many students are very familiar with certain aspects of local history, (our district is 40 minutes from Philadelphia and 10 minutes from Valley Forge) this interesting concept about the production of Conestoga wagons would be fresh information for the students.

            Additionally, this curriculum web will provide numerous opportunities for integration.  There could be a math lesson on scaled size.  The students could measure the sizes of the different wagons, as well as scaled distances on a map of the Oregon Trail.  The students could write about what it was like in a covered wagon, or utilize compare and contrast skills on the different types of wagons.  Finally, the final project allows for more integration of writing, art, and public speaking.  Although the material would be historically based, the curriculum web would touch upon more than one subject.

            Because of this multidisciplinary integration, the covered wagon curriculum web would cover numerous standards.  Within the Pennsylvania State standards for social studies, students are expected to identify and explain material artifacts important to Pennsylvania history, which would include the Conestoga wagon (8.2.6).  The students are also expected to read independently and critically in all content areas (1.1.5).  Finally, the students are expected to be able to measure accurately, which would include scale measurements (2.3.5).

 




























Prerequisites for Students:
 
Before beginning this Curriculum Web, students should be able to:
  1. Read and write on at least a 4th grade level.
  2. Use a web browser to move between web pages.
  3. Be able to work and cooperate in small groups.
  4. Read and understand grading rubrics.

Instructional Plan:

  1. Divide the class into groups of 5 or 6.
  2. Intorduce the topic of covered wagons by discussing the pioneers.  This may be relevent during social studies, or after reading a particular story in Language Arts.
  3. Give the student groups access to computers to complete the curriculum web on covered wagons.
  4. Once the student groups have completed the basic lessons, it might be helpful to give a brief lesson on advertising and persuasive writing.  Have the students give examples of slogans for existing products.
  5. Monitor their development of their Conestoga Wagon advertising campaigns.

 

 






Subject Matter:
This curriculum web is based on the student's ability to define what make covered wagons a unique American artifact.
 
INFORMATION ON OR RELATED TO COVERED WAGONS:
  •  Pioneers
  • Westward Expansion
  • Transportation of Goods
  • Parts of a Wagon

CONCEPTS AND SKILLS

  • Persuasive Writing
  • Poster Design
  • Script Writing
  • Web Naviagation
  • Group Cooperation Skills
  • Performance Skills

Materials:

  • Large Posterboard
  • Markers or Colored Pencils
  • Computers with printer access.




























 
Appendices:
Resources

Glossary

  • Bow: On the top of the wagon is a wooden piece (made from hickory trees) that forms an arch from the right side of the wagon to the left. The wagon cover rests on top of the arch, called a bow. The prairie schooner usually had 6 bows.
  • Brake Lever: A lever next to the driver's seat. It is attached to the brake shoe on the rear wheel. The driver pulls the lever when he wants the wagon to stop.
  • Feed Trough: A wooden box on the back of the wagon. Its purpose was to carry grain and oats for the animals.
  • Felloe: The side piece on each wheel usually made from ash trees. It sits between the spokes and iron tires.
  • Hub: The wooden centerpiece of each wheel (made from either elm or osage trees). It is the place where all the spokes attach and the axle connects to the wheel.
  • Spoke:The small wooden rods (made from oak trees) that attach the tire to the hub on each wheel. Each wheel usually had from 10 to 20 spokes.
  • Tongue:  A wooden piece often made of hickory. It sticks out from the front of the wagon. The tongue is connected to the front axle under the wagon to the oxen or mules that pulled the wagon.

 

 

There's no sweeter ride than a Covered Wagon!