Social Studies 8H the Oregon Trail

SOCIAL STUDIES 8H THE OREGON TRAIL Manifest Destiny “Do’s and Don’ts” Flyer

DIRECTIONS: Using your textbook at home, the History Alive text in class, and the internet, you are to create a flyer for intrepid pioneers traversing the Oregon Trail based on your own experiences as a wagon trail guide. Your travels take you from Independence, Missouri to the Willamette Valley in Oregon, and in order to make a better life for yourself and your family, you are publishing a guide to a new breed of pioneers. Your “Do’s and Don’ts” pamphlet is a best seller and everyone is reading it, so you decide to come out with a new and improved version.

With your partners, brainstorm ideas for the flyer and record your ideas. Use these notes and notes from the video and other sources to create your masterpiece.

Your flyer must include the following:  An appropriate title. Make it catchy and an attention grabber.  A brief introduction to the reader that explains why this advice is worthwhile.  Create a section of the six most important do’s. Create a “catch phrase” for each of the six do’s and explain them in three to four sentences. For example: “Pack lightly – this journey is long and hard. You will travel nearly 2000 miles through rugged terrain, mud, over steep mountains, and across flowing rivers.” You must do this for each of your six ideas.  Create a section of the six most important don’ts. Each of the six don’ts should follow the same format as the do’s. Make sure that your “catch phrase” introduces your topic and you use three to four sentences to explain in more detail.  Other creative flair: Add symbols, illustrations, or other graphics to enhance your flyer.  Include testimonials from other travelers who have used your guide book. Up to three.  Create a short (1 minute) commercial to present to the class of your travel tips. Be as creative as you can. Remember, you are trying to sell a product.

Grade sheet:

1. Title: 4 points 2. Introduction: 5 points 3. Six Do’s: 18 points: (1 point for “catch phrase” and explanation = 3points x 6 = 18 points) 4. Six Don’ts: 18 points: same as above. 5. Creative flair: 5 points 6. Testimonials: 5 points 7. Short commercial: 5 points 7. Pride and Presentation/Grammar: 10 points 8. Total: 70 points