When doing a unit like this, it is important to maintain focus on what you really want your students to know at the end. The Oregon Trail is a unit designed as a hook to capture students' attention. At the end of the unit, all of the students should know how to use a word processor, how to navigate the Internet, and some basic facts about the Oregon Trail, including, reasons why people chose to travel west, obstacles that were encountered, and some important supplies that were needed. Most of the students will also know how to use a web toolbox and be able to navigate to the Internet on their own. They can use most software such as Imagination Express and The Oregon Trail game. Most students will also be able to identify some landmarks on the Oregon Trail. Some students will be able to correctly use a spreadsheet and concept map to organize information. They will also have knowledge of where to go on the Internet to find sources on the Oregon Trail, or any topic for that matter. The unit provides lesson plans that have an assessment factor built in. It is important to have a criterion, so you can accurately record whether or not the child is truly learning and mastering the skill. Overall, the unit requires students to work together in groups, thus introducing a behavior component. The following rubric is to be used to assess collaborative group effort.


Collaborative Work Skills: Wagons Ho! Journey on the Oregon Trail
Teacher Name: Jennifer Bagby
Student Name ___________________

Downlaod Rubric

CATEGORY	Excellent-"Wagon Master"	Good-"Family Leader"	Satisfactory-"Cow Hand"	Needs Improvement-"Left Behind by wagon train"
Contributions	Routinely provides useful ideas when participating in the group or "wagon train." A definite leader who contributes a lot of effort.	Usually provides useful ideas when participating in the "wagon train." A strong group member who tries hard!	Sometimes provides useful ideas when participating in the "wagon train." A satisfactory group member who does what is required.	Rarely provides useful ideas when participating in the "wagon train." May refuse to participate.
Quality of Work	Provides work of the highest quality and completes all lessons.	Provides high quality work.	Provides work that occasionally needs to be checked/redone by other group members to ensure quality.	Provides work that usually needs to be checked/redone by others to ensure quality.
Problem-solving	Actively looks for and suggests solutions to problems.	Refines solutions suggested by others.	Does not suggest or refine solutions, but is willing to try out solutions suggested by others.	Does not try to solve problems or help others solve problems. Lets others do the work.
Attitude	Never is publicly critical of the project or the work of others. Always has a positive attitude about the task(s).	Rarely is publicly critical of the project or the work of others. Often has a positive attitude about the task(s).	Occasionally is publicly critical of the project or the work of other members of the group. Usually has a positive attitude about the task(s).	Often is publicly critical of the project or the work of other members of the group. Often has a positive attitude about the task(s).
Focus on the task	Consistently stays focused on the task and what needs to be done. Very self-directed.	Focuses on the task and what needs to be done most of the time. Other group members can count on this person.	Focuses on the task and what needs to be done some of the time. Other group members must sometimes nag, prod, and remind to keep this person on-task.	Rarely focuses on the task and what needs to be done. Lets others do the work.
Working with Others	Almost always listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others. Tries to keep people working well together.	Usually listens to, shares, with, and supports the efforts of others. Does not cause "waves" in the group.	Often listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others, but sometimes are not a good team member.	Rarely listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others. Often is not a good team player.