We were happy to have our county naturalist, Pam Holz, visit 3rd grade today! Pam helped us to learn what it might have been like to be a pioneer traveling West to Iowa in the 1800s via a simulation activity.
First students were divided into family groups for the simulation. Families had to sell their belongings and take their money to Pam's general store to purchase supplies for their "trip." Students were encouraged to select carefully the items they thought would be needed to complete the trip West.
Pam checked their lists to be sure the students didn't spend more money than they had . . .
Pam then described the trip West, and familier earned points if they had purchased items needed for the trip (ex. an ax to chop down trees, a rope to pull their wagon out of the mud, blankets for sleeping outside, etc.), and they lost points for purchasing unnecessary items (dried meat, cholera medicine, etc.).
Groups who earned 7 or more points made the trip successfully. 6 points meant that the "family" had to turn back and that they didn't make it to their destination. Groups earning 5 points or less didn't have the necessary supplies and died during the trip (unfortunately this happened frequently on the wagon trail). We had a great time "traveling West" today with Pam!
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