Making Covered Wagons Lesson Plan for 2nd Grade Students

Topic:Making Covered Wagons

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to make a covered wagon using simple materials.

Materials

• Cardboard boxes
• String
• Scissors
• Markers or crayons
• Glue
• Hole punch
• Paper
• Pencils

Warm-up

• Show students images of covered wagons and ask them to describe what they see.
• Ask students if they know what a covered wagon is and where they might see one today.

Direct Instruction

• Explain that a covered wagon is a type of wagon that was used by settlers in the United States to travel across the country during the 1800s.
• Show students images of covered wagons and ask them to describe what they see.
• Ask students if they know why the wagons were covered and what they might have used to cover them.
• Explain that settlers used materials that were available to them in the areas they were traveling through to cover their wagons, including animal skins, wooden boards, and canvas.
• Ask students to think about what materials they might use to cover a wagon if they were traveling across the country today.

Guided Practice

• Have students work in small groups to brainstorm a list of possible materials they could use to cover a wagon.
• Have each group present their list to the class and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each material.
• As a class, decide on a few materials to use to cover the wagons.
• Have students use the markers and craft sticks to create a mock covered wagon using the materials they have chosen.

Independent Practice

• Have students use the scissors and construction paper to create their own covered wagon.
• Encourage students to be creative and add their own personal touches to their wagons.

Closure

• Have each student share their covered wagon with the class and explain the details and personal touches they added.
• Review the main points of the lesson, including the materials and steps needed to make a covered wagon, the purpose of covered wagons, and the importance of the Oregon Trail.

Assessment

• Observe each student during the crafting and independent practice activities to assess their understanding of the materials needed and the steps required to make a covered wagon.
• Have the students complete a short quiz or written exercise to demonstrate their understanding of the importance of the Oregon Trail and the purpose of covered wagons.
• Hold a class discussion to assess the students' understanding of the significance of the Westward Expansion and the hardships faced by the immigrants who traveled on the Oregon Trail.