Chapter 14, Lesson 1: The Moving Frontier (pp. 340-344)
The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Change Pioneers moved to the frontier for many reasons, including the chance to build a new life.
- Ask students familiar with the Appalachian Mountains to describe them or ask students who have climbed a mountain to describe their experiences. Then have students imagine what it would be like for a pioneer family to travel across these mountains and afterwards go through wilderness not settled by any other people like them. Talk about dangers and conditions. Then ask students why they think the pioneers might want to undertake such a challenging journey to start a new life. Make a list of reasons on the board.
Lesson Outline
Use the Lesson Outline to preview the content of the lesson. You may wish to print it for your students as a guide during reading.
Check for Understanding
- Ask students to imagine they are a boy or girl traveling with their family on the Wilderness Road. Have them tell their classmates why their family is going on such a trip and what the trip is like.
- Ask students to find the Wilderness Road on the map on p. 342. Have them draw their own map of the road, based on the one in their book. Students can use different colors or symbols to indicate the Appalachian Mountains on their maps.