• View Video
• Read about the Sager Children
• Heading Out on the Trail

• Discuss why the Whitmans set up the mission.
• Discuss why the Cayuse killed the Whitmans.
• Discuss why the Mission at Waiilatpu was important to Northwest History.
• Read some excerpts from Narcissa's Journal and Letters.

 

THE SAGER CHILDREN

• Have students highlight on a United States map the route the Sagers took.
• Have students draw pictures to illustrate events along the trail and put them on the appropriate places on the map.
• Have students look on the Whitman Mission Internet site to learn more about the Sagers.
• Have students imagine themselves as one of the Sagers and write a letter to a relative about the trip and their safe arrival at Whitman Mission in the fall of 1844.

HEADING OUT ON THE TRAIL

Emigrants heading to Oregon had to do a lot of planning before ever leaving home. In this activity, students think about what is needed for the journey. Use all or part of the lesson, depending on available time.

1. Gather students together in front of a writing board and map of North America, the United States, or the Oregon Trail.
2. Discuss the distance to be traveled by emigrants and the land they have to travel through.
   • If time is available, assign states along the trail to student groups. Have them look up the climate, geography, animals, etc. along the route and report back to the class.
3. Talk about what types of people chose to emigrate and why.
   • Those bound for Oregon were usually middle class farmers from the Midwest, many of whom had moved before.
   • Many wanted free and good land, space, freedom for religion, escape from economic depression in the East.
4. Ask students to brainstorm a list of items that would be needed for the trail AND for once they got to Oregon. Write down everything they suggest.
   • (If time) Divide students into groups and assign a few items from the brainstormed list to each group. Have them find out the weight of those items for homework (either weighing items at home or at the grocery store). (Some might need assistance for more obscure items).
5. Talk about the necessity of having a light wagon. Assist students in choosing which items to carry for a family of 5 — mother, father, boys- 5 and 12, girl- 7.
   • Remind them of space limitations, and keeping food from spoiling.
   • After deciding, read them the list of actual suggested things to bring from the following page ("Necessary Outfits for Emigrants traveling to Oregon").
   • As an extension or a concluding activity, give each student a brown paper grocery bag. Tell them to imagine that they are moving to Oregon Country, and all they can take with them is what they can fit in this bag. (if time, do it for a homework assignment: students fill the bags with precious items, then take them all out and write down what was in there. Bring the list to school to share with the class.) After they choose their items, they should write the items down and explain why each item has to be brought along.