Internet Site 1: Pioneer Children Giannetta, J. (2011). PIONEER CHILDREN - fun, games, toys. Retrieved April 15, 2016, from http://www.aitc.sk.ca/saskschools/fun.html Without electricity and smartphones, it may be difficult to imagine how pioneer children may have played. However, imagination is not exclusive to society today. Pioneer children had a variety of games and toys that helped pass time and elicit a fun, entertaining environment. Outdoors, indoors or with a group there is much to play with little time to waste.
Internet Site 2: Pioneer Farming Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area. (2009). Pioneer Farming Quick Facts. Retrieved April 16, 2016, from http://www.campsilos.org/mod2/students/index.shtml Camp Silo encourages students and teachers to prepare for an interactive internet experience through life as a pioneer. The website has separate sections for students to explore on their own or with peers. Quick facts, links, games, and question/answer areas provide students with a sound basis for discussing pioneer life in class along with hands-on activities.
Internet Site 3: Life in a sod house Smithsonian National Museum of American History. (n.d.). OurStory : Activities : Life in a Sod House. Retrieved April 16, 2016, from http://amhistory.si.edu/ourstory/activities/sodhouse/ The Smithsonian National Museum of American History provides students of all ages with a display of historical facts, artful creations and web games including "Build a Sod House." Students take a journey through the construction of a pioneer sod house by correctly answering questions that enable "the pioneer" to build his/her home. There are links to photographs, related text subjects, and excerpts from books that connect curriculum. Disclaimer: From the work of Norman, D and Marquez, G. (2016). Thematic Unit/Text Set LAE 4314. Unpublished, University of Central Florida.
Internet Site 4: Emigrant Diaries and Journals Flora, S. (n.d.). Emigrant Diaries and Journals. Retrieved May 24, 2016, from www.oregonpioneers.com/diaries.htm A student in fourth grade may find it difficult to imagine life being different than present-day society. Writing styles, occupations, and currency exchange provides students with insight into the daily lives of the pioneers. Emigrant Diaries and Journals give students an opportunity to discover historical documents and explore actual journal entries from pioneer forefathers. Dates, timelines and author’s names transition students into an investigation segment that encourages discovery of a particular content area or an individual.
Internet Site 5: PBS- Frontier House PBS - Frontier House. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2016, from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/frontierhouse/index.html In conjunction with the Public Broadcasting System, Frontier House is an explorer’s dream comes true. Interactive games, video recordings, facts, test your knowledge assessments and much, much more combine to produce a wide expansion of information on pioneer life. Due to the vast nature of the site, students can navigate daily to find new data on the subject area. Graphic organizers will help students track their progress and organize information into chronological sequence.
App Search
App Search 1: The Oregon Trail: Settler- Both Apple and Android compatible Gameloft. (2015). The Oregon Trail: Settler (Version 2.8.2d) [Mobile Application Software]. Retrieved from http://play.google.com Students represent life in the Wild West through an interactive avatar setting. As part of the continuing story of the Oregon Trail, students create a final chapter in their story by building a home, caring for livestock, personalizing their avatar and manage a plot of land. Students will experience the hardships that pioneer families faced with weather changes, lack of resources and a financial deficit. Worked into individual play, students will use the app to provide connection to present day technology and the subject area.
App Search 2: Old Maps: A touch of history- Both Apple and Android compatible Klokan Technologies GmbH. (2012). Old Maps: A touch of history (Version 1.0.4) [Mobile Application Software]. Retrieved from http://play.google.com Maps connect students to places they are familiar with or would like to survey. Viewing a map can create hours of education through the use of geography, history and mathematics. Old Maps: a touch of history provides students with images of geographical locations that can be compared to present day maps or explored through the use of prompts that are unique to pioneer life. As a group, the educator will introduce the application to students with an example of present day to historical data scenarios. A Venn diagram will be used to show similarities and differences in the maps through compare and contrast. Students will then be given individual directives with a location and year to compare and contrast on their own as a formative assessment.
App Search 3: Poetry from Poetry Foundation- Both Apple and Android compatible Poetry Foundation. (2016). Poetry from Poetry Foundation (Version 2.7) [Mobile Application Software]. Retrieved from http://play.google.com Poetry introduces students to vocabulary, annunciation and creative writing. Students who can preview other works of poetry can address voice, flow, and spotlight depth through the perspective of another author. Students are encouraged to preview Poetry from Poetry Foundation before creating an acrostic poem on pioneer life. Students will be asked to cite two works of poetry that helped inspire their creation.
App Search 4: Westbound Adventure City Town- Both Apple and Android compatible Rockyou, Inc. (2015). Westbound Adventure City Town (Version 1.7.7) [Mobile Application Software]. Retrieved from http://play.google.com In this interactive application, students will search their plot of land for resources, clear the property of vegetation in order to homestead, build a home and farm for life sustaining goods. Students can create classroom contests through the use of “application friendships” and explore competition. As students are able to experiment with pioneer life they can gain background knowledge through technological manipulatives that offer engaging scenarios. Students will participate in the application during center’s block time. After the thematic unit series, students will write in detail how this form changed their perspective on the pioneer people.
App Search 5: Google Maps- Both Apple and Android compatible Google. (2014). Google Maps (Version 9.25.1) [Mobile Application Software]. Retrieved from http://play.google.com Directions are an important aspect of daily life. How do families get around without the use of GPS, cell phones, and the corner convenience store? Students will be given current day, individual prompts to track distance and time. With a rough calculation scale, students will formulate current distance and time to that of covered wagon travel. After students have made their calculations, they will make predictions as to what other delays they may encounter on the trail.
Literature List
Nonfiction/Informational picture book Suben, E. (2010). The Spanish missions of Florida. New York, NY: Children's Press.
Deeply rooted in Florida history is the influence of Spanish heritage. The Spanish Missions of Florida picture book provides historical background information along with bright, interesting photographs and illustrations. Spanish missions created homes for a multitude of events within the state’s development. Religious organizations, war-shelters, and hospitals provide the missions with a story to tell.
Nonfiction/Informational chapter book Vollstadt, E. W. (2002). Florida. San Diego, CA: Kidhaven Press.
Florida history offers a variety of influence from Spanish, French and Native Americans sources. Seeds of a Nation-Florida tell the chronological story that led to this great state's birth. Kidhaven Press provides illustrations and characterization on a multitude of platforms giving the reader a sense of personality.
Historical fiction picture book Downie, M. A., Gerber, M. J., & Downie, M. A. (2009). A pioneer alphabet. Toronto, Ontario: Tundra Books.
A pioneer alphabet is a fun, creative journey through daily pioneer life. Transforming the alphabet into a world of food, narrative, and childhood pursuits, a Pioneer alphabet offers historical information within beautiful illustrated pages. Each letter depicts a central theme to Zebediah and his family while telling a story from long ago.
Historical fiction chapter book Lenski, L. (1995). Strawberry girl. New York, NY: HarperTrophy.
Birdie Boyer is ten years old and has just moved to Florida's back country. Life is unpredictable for newcomers like Birdie and learning how to adjust to farm life may be a challenge. Join Birdie as she explores strawberry planting, the harsh Florida climate, and learning to get along with others.
Biography Pelleschi, A. (2013). Juan Ponce de Leon. New York, NY: PowerKids Press.
Juan Ponce de Leon, a strong leader and successful military man craved the love of exploration. Juan Ponce de Leon's quest for the Fountain of Youth leads him straight to Florida and his search for healing waters. Instead of a fountain spewing eternity, his journey has brought him to untamed territory rich with adventure. Jr. Graphic provides an illustrated biography depicting the conquistador’s endeavors.
Related realistic picture book Morley, J., & Antram, D. (2013). You wouldn't want to be an American pioneer!: A wilderness you'd rather not tame. New York, NY: Franklin Watts.
Have you ever thought it would be fun to ride in a covered wagon? Join Scholastic as they take you on an adventure of the actual life of an American Pioneer. Bright, comical pictures provide excitement and understanding of the hardships pioneers faced as they settled America's lands for future generations.
Related traditional literature Goble, P. (1993). The girl who loved wild horses. New York, NY: Aladdin Books.
Is it hard to imagine transforming into an animal that you love? Step inside "The Girl who Loved Wild Horses" to see where a young girl's admiration and devotion to her animals leads to the ultimate prize. Fact or fiction, the exploration of folktales creates an impossible to ignore idea that leaves us wondering if the story could be true.
Historical fiction chapter book Hooks, W. H., & Robinson, C. (1988). Pioneer cat. New York, NY: Random House.
Life on the Oregon Trail is lonely for a young girl who has no friends. Until one day, a stray cat follows Kate Purdy to a place unknown, and their friendship creates obstacles for the two. Kate must learn to follow rules and family obligations along with her heart.
Historical fiction chapter book Dalgliesh, A., & Weisgard, L. (1991). The courage of Sarah Noble (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Aladdin Books.
Venturing into the woods alone is a scary place for young Sarah Noble. A new frontier filled with new people and creatures lines Sarah's path with adventure and curiosity. Along with the need to be cautious, young Sarah must learn how to balance the two.
Historical fiction chapter book Wilder, L. I. (1953). Little house on the prairie. New York, NY: Harper & Bros.
Moving is never easy and transitioning from one state to another leaves Laura Ingalls apprehensive. Kansas is much different than her birthplace and learning a new way of life provides a challenge. In this new land, Laura will acquire the necessary skills to enable her family's survival on the frontier.
Historical fiction picture book Bunting, E., & Himler, R. (1996). Train to Somewhere. New York, NY: Clarion Books.
A train can be a scary place for a child traveling with their parents and a horror for one left alone. For Marianne, it is a horrendous pursuit as she is on an orphanage train waiting anxiously for her mother with paralyzing fear. Marianne is unsure if her mother is coming back and faced with less than positive images, she huddles down inside looking for a familiar face.
Nonfiction/Informational picture book Domnauer, T. (2010). Westward expansion. New York, NY: Children's Press.
"Westward Expansion" is a fun and creative way to study the movement of settlers to the great west. Predetermined vocabulary words provide a path for understanding and offer explanation ahead of the text. Vivid pictures create a cartoon-like feel that draws that reader to the images and side notes.
Nonfiction/Informational picture book Erickson, P. (1994). Daily life in a covered wagon. New York, NY: Puffin.
"Daily Life in a Covered Wagon" provides the reader with a step-by-step take on living as a pioneer. Each page offers a different point of view on food, shelter, health and entertainment. Men and women experience this type of life very differently, and adjustments were made to accommodate. Maps are are included to help navigate the reader through the torturous terrain.
Nonfiction/Informational picture book Friedman, M. (2010). The Oregon Trail. New York, NY: Children's Press.
"The Oregon Trail" creates a flow of text that enables the reader to harness the full effect of traveling west. Sidebar text and highlighted vocabulary provide an understanding of possible unknown concepts. The book delivers the user through picturesque scenery to a time long ago and a way of life unknown to many.
Nonfiction/Informational chapter book Greenwood, B., Collins, H., & Greenwood, B. (1995). A pioneer sampler: The daily life of a pioneer family in 1840. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Co.
A mix of non-fiction with fiction, "A Pioneer Sampler" allows the reader to take a journey with the Robinson family. Much like a picture book with illustrations, side notes, and maps, the text delivers chapter formatting with subject headers. Activities embedded within the text allow the reader to connect to pioneer life within the present day.
Historical fiction picture book Gunderson, J., & Dougherty, R. (2012). Your life as a pioneer on the Oregon Trail. North Mankato, MN: Picture Window Books.
Much like reader's theater, "Your life as a Pioneer" creates imaging that provides the text with detail. Daily life scenarios, mathematical equations, and scientific facts are all introduced within the text. Young explorers will find delight as they read through the multitude of events within the narrative.
Nonfiction/Informational chapter book Holub, J., & Tomkinson, T. (2013). What was the Gold Rush? New York, NY: Grosset & Dunlap.
Get rich quick! Black and white pages illustrate the story of the gold rush and the intrigue that brought many to a world secluded from society. Bustled with fact after fact, "What was the Gold Rush?" provides the reader with valuable information on the backbone of our great country.
Historical fiction picture book Moss, M. (1998). Rachel's journal: The story of a pioneer girl. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace.
Much like a personal diary, Rachel's journal gives the reader a daily delight of living a pioneer's life. Set with dates, pictures, and vivid details, Rachel's narratives provide the user with a setting and plot that delivers sentiment and emotion. From Illinois to California follow Rachel's handwritten pages to a new life.
Historical fiction picture book Van, L. J., & Allen, T. B. (1991). Going West. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers.
Leaving the prairie at seven years old to a world so far away from what is known can be a tremendous obstacle. The author never reveals the end destination, thus leaving the reader to add their spin to the conclusion of Hannah's tale. Beautiful details line the pages of "Going West" illustrating a story of courage and determination.
Nonfiction/Informational chapter book Walker, B. M. (1979). The Little house cookbook: Frontier foods from Laura Ingalls Wilder's classic stories. New York, NY: Harper & Row. Delight in the senses with imagination or experimentation. "The Little House Cookbook" offers a variety of recipes and suggestions to culminate even the weariest traveler with hardy subsistence. The cookbook is broken down into categories to provide the reader with author's notes and background into the great frontier.
Disclaimer: From the work of Norman, D and Marquez, G. (2016). Thematic Unit/Text Set LAE 4314. Unpublished, University of Central Florida.