Catherine Wilson
Fourth Grade
Storypath, The Oregon Trail
Fourth graders have been transformed. They are now emigrants bound for Oregon Country. Our Storypath unit is called “The Oregon Trail”. I enjoy
using this teaching strategy that engages students with problem solving and story telling. Storypath units integrate content and skills from many disciplines. While we are learning about history we are also reading primary historical documents, charts and maps. We are writing, reflecting and negotiating. We are creating art and composing a story. Fourth graders are asked to think critically about what they know, use prior knowledge to make sense of ne
w information and connect personally to important social studies concepts.
Our setting is 1840-1863, various stops along the Oregon Trail. Fourth graders begin with creating characters and forming “family units” for the journey. Next we construct wagons, make our supply list and plan our route. Our plot will unfold in the weeks ahead. I sure hope we all make it safe and sound!
