Updated 9/2012
PIONEER PAST TIMES
Environmental Education Lesson Plan
Edwards Camp and Conference Center
Materials
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Pencils (1 per family)
Copies of Shopping List (1 per family)
Clipboard and writing utensil with paper to tally score on the trail
Calculator for cashier
Heavy whipping cream (approximately 1 pint/2 groups)
3 or 4 small glass bottles (baby food jars work well)
Knife
Crackers (enough for 1 per person)
paraffin wax
dye chips or crayons for color
Hot plates
Large tin cans from dining hall
Small Cans from the Dining Hall
Example of hand dipped candle
Cotton wicking or string
Pliers
Water
Auger & Chisel
Draw Knife
Froe & Maul
Shaving Horse
Toe Adze
Introduction: (5 minutes)
This class is about the pioneers in America who traveled west in the early and mid 1800’s.
“Who were the pioneers?”
People who settled new frontiers in North America. Most of their ancestors were
Europeans
“Why did they travel west?”
They all wanted to start new lives. Some went for the cheap or free land, some heard
stories of how magical these frontiers were, and some were looking for gold or to hunt and
trade.
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“What were the main trails that they took?”
Natchez Trace from Tennessee to Mississippi in the early 1800s
Oregon Trail from Missouri to Oregon in the 1840s
“Did pioneers travel west from Wisconsin?”
Yes, the wouldn’t have taken either of these trails but there were people who traveled west
from Wisconsin to settle new land.
“How long were their journeys?”
The trails could be up to 2000 miles long. On a good day the pioneers could only travel 10
- 15 miles. This means they could be traveling for as long as 6 months.
“How did pioneers travel?”
The pioneers traveled in wagons called Praire Schooners. They were pulled by 2-4 pairs
oxen. The pioneers traveled with other families and their wagons in what is called a wagon
train. The wagon train had a leader called the Captain.
“What did a Prairie Schooner wagon look like?”
The Prairie Schooner was about 4 feet by 10 feet wagon made of wood covered in a
canvas. Sometimes pioneers would paint their wagons bright colors to identify all members
of a wagon train traveling together.
“What determined how much they could pack?”
The wagons could only hold about 2000 pounds and there was also limited space.
Pioneers also had to sell land or save money to buy supplies and normally had only $600$800 to buy all their supplies with.
“What was life like on the trail?”
There were long days and many early mornings to prepare breakfast and reload the wagon.
Most pioneers not driving the wagon would walk next to the wagon. They would stop for
lunch and rest for a while then continue on until dinner. They slept in the wagon, under it,
in a tent, or under the stars.
We are going to go do an activity to try and understand what it might have been like to
prepare for and be on a similar journey.
 Divide group into families of 3 – 4 students each. Have sit as a group on the lodge
floor and come up with a family name.
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General Store: (10 minutes)
Welcome to the General Store! Your family is preparing to travel west to settle new
frontier. You are preparing for your journey by packing your wagon, which you have
already made. You have to consider what you will need for your long journey, remember it
could take up to six months. Keep in mind that you have limited space and a limited
budget. As a family you need to decide what supplies you will pack with only $700. You
will be awarded points along the way for packing certain items so think carefully about
what you might need. Read the shopping list as a family while browsing the shop and
decide which items you will buy. Check the items you would like, making sure you don’t
exceed $700. You don’t have to spend all your money, you might want some for your
journey. Once you have chosen your items take your list to the cashier (where you will be
positioned) to finalize the purchase.
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Hand each family a pencil and shopping list by calling one person per group up at
random (ie. Have the tallest student from each family come up)
Allow them 5-7 minutes to consider the shopping list and discuss. Then tell them
they have 2 minutes to finalize their purchase (as a cashier check to make sure they
don’t exceed $700 and initil)
Once they have finalized their purchase have them line up in groups outside the
lodge (with one adult out there) to wait for the “wagon train” to leave.
Journey: (20 minutes)
I am the Captain of your “wagon train.” I will lead you along the trail and be the
spokesman. I am the one that will designate when we stop and how we handle any
problems we encounter. I need to take roll (have students tell you their family names and
right them on your clipboard to keep tally of points). Stay with your family and follow me.
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Lead the group on a hike either in a circle or in the direction of their next activity.
Every 3 – 4 minutes stop the group and have them form a semi-circle around you.
Choose one student (make sure to choose a new student each time) to choose a
scenario card.
Read the scenario card aloud to the group and follow instructors.
Award points to the group by tallying it on your clipboard.
Wrap Up of Journey: (5 minutes)
When you have done 7 – 8 scenarios and reached your destination, have the group sit in a
circle with you and read the final scenario card. Announce how many points each team
had. If your family had at least 7 points you successfully made it to the new frontier.
Discuss the following:
“What were some of the most important items to have?”
Food, clothing, blankets, sewing kit, replacement parts for the wagon, gun
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“What were some of the least important items to have?”
Furniture, books, jewelry, chairs, dolls, jump rope
“What could have been other scenarios that pioneers might have encountered?”
“What other outcomes might their have been?”
10% of pioneers died on their journey. They may have lost supplies.
“Once the pioneers arrived at their destination, what would their life be like?”
They had to buy land, build a house, plant crops, etc.
Settling the Land: (10 Minutes)
Once the journey is complete then it is time to settle the land. This works well with a
separate staff member playing the part of an established homesteader. During this section of
the class you will be role-playing a pioneer.
Invite the students in to the homestead area. Ask who they are and where they came from.
How far have they traveled? Where are they headed? You will want to invite them to stay for
the evening since you know that their journey is going to long and tiring.
Share with the travelers that as they are trying to locate a place to settle that they will want
to keep in mind a water source, a place close to a source of trees, and the lay of the land for
farming.
What would you bring? TOOLS would be the most important because with them you would be
able to build anything you might need. You might have brought only the metal parts of tools
and make the wooden parts upon arrival. This would save space in the cart.
Wisconsin was completely covered with trees.
“Why was this a problem?”
“Why was this a benefit?”
“How were these problems solved?”
“How were the trees used?”
“Which would have been built first the house or the barn?”
A barn most likely would have been built first. Protecting the animals that provided work,
warmth, and food would have been very important. The barn could have also protected
people temporarily while they built their homes.
Fathers might have come ahead of the rest of the family. They could then claim and clear
land. When they became established they could then send for the rest of the family.
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“How would the labor have been divided among the family?”
Everyone would have worked in the fields and split wood. Men and boys spent more time in
the fields. Women and girls spent more time on family maintenance, such as food
preparations and making clothing. Although, it was the women’s job to bring the logs to the
site for building! Sometimes the work needed to be done, and it didn’t matter who did it.
Butter Churning: (15 Minutes)
While talking, give students small bottles (half full or less) of cream which they can shake
while the group is discussing the topic.
“Where did pioneers get milk?”
Not every family had a cow or goat, thus they did not have milk. They could trade from with
neighbors or a general store.
“From what part of the milk is butter made?”
The cream, also called butter fat. This is collected by leaving a bucket of fresh mild sit until
the cream rises to the top. When all the cream has been skimmed off the top to use for
butter, the resulting milk is skim milk.
“Can all cows give milk?”
No, only cows which have had a baby. If the cow is milked daily she will continue to produce
milk. If she is not milked for a few days, she will “dry up” and will not produce again until she
has another calf.
Butter was made by using a butter churn. Churns varied in size and style. Sometimes churns
were set on the back of wagons when traveling and the jostling over rutted roads created
butter by the day’s end.
Whose job was it to churn the butter?
Children or wife.
“Did pioneers have butter at every meal?”
Probably not.
The color of butter is determined by what the cow eats. In summer months, cows eat grasses
that have high levels of chlorophyll. This stays in the cow’s milk and results in a yellow
colored butter. In winter months, cows eat low-chlorophyll hay and grain, resulting in a
whitish butter.
As the cream is churned, it will become thick and foamy. At this stage, if we were to remove
the cream and add sugar, we would have whipped cream. This was considered quite a special
treat to pioneers. If you keep on shaking past the whipped cram stage, eventually the cream
will separate into heavy lumps and a thin milky liquid. Shake until all the lumps combine – this
Updated 9/2012
is the butter. The liquid surrounding the butter is buttermilk, and can be used to drink and
cook with, especially buttermilk biscuits.
Separate butter from buttermilk. Excess buttermilk most also be removed from the butter
because it spoils easily and would ruin the butter. This is done by rinsing the butter in cold
water while mashing it with a wooden spoon. Drain off water and form butter into a lump. At
this time, the butter may be salted if desired. The salt was necessary to preserve the butter
longer without refrigeration.
You will now transition to the pioneer game section of this class. Here you will show and
demonstrate the games that pioneer children might have played.
Pioneer Games: (15 Minutes)
These games should be adjusted for the age of the students.
Poor Doggie
"It" is the doggie that must try to make someone laugh. The players sit in a circle and
Doggie goes to each player and barks, whines and imitates a dog. The players have to pet
Doggie and say "Poor Doggie, Poor Doggie, Poor Doggie!" The player must not smile while
saying this or he/she will become the next Doggie.
Shadow Tag
"It" tries to step on another player's shadow. If a player gets tired of running away, he/she
must lie down so "It" cannot tag them.
Drop the Handkerchief
Players join hands and form a circle while “It” holds a handkerchief and runs around the
circle. “It” drops the handkerchief behind one of the players and keeps running. The player
then picks up the handkerchief and runs around the circle in the opposite direction. They
race to see who reaches the empty spot first. The loser becomes the next “It.”
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Candle making: (20 Minutes)
NOTE: Paraffin must always be melted in a double boiler. Failure to do so may result in fire
or explosions. (REALLY!) The paraffin takes approximately 30 minutes to melt to a usable
stage, so plan on leaving meals early to go set up the equipment. Once the burners are
heating the wax, a staff member must remain in the room at all times.
“Why did pioneers make and use candles?”
For light, electricity did not exist.
“What other sources of light did they have?”
Sun, fireplace, oil lamps
“What were candles made out of in the pioneer days?”
Candles today are mostly made from paraffin, but pioneers used either beeswax or tallow.
Beeswax was expensive - most pioneer women made candles from tallow.
“What is tallow?”
Rendered animal fat, or fat that has been melted with the impurities skimmed off. Tallow was
cheap to use, but it made low quality, smelly candles that smoked a lot. Tallow made a cream
colored candle.
“How do you turn melted wax/tallow into a solid candle?”
Two methods: hand dipping or molds. Dipping was much more efficient and less costly (tin
molds were expensive). Women would store the fat and on a spring or fall day go outside (it
smells) and make tallow and begin dipping. Five or more wicks were tied to one stick and
she'd have more than one stick tied this way. She would dip one of the sticks and hang it to
dry somewhere while she'd dip the others. She would then return to the first stick to dip
again, and would continue to dip the candles until they reached the size she desired. The
standard candle size using this method was 50 dips.
The students will make candles using the melted paraffin. Set up a long table covered with
newspapers or plastic sheets. Put 3 large tin cans full of water on the table, one for each can
of melted wax. Have the wicking pre-cut so the candles will all be the same length. After the
discussion, when the wax is sufficiently melted, use the pliers to move the cans of wax from
the burners to the table. Set one can by each can of water. Have students form 3 lines, one
behind each set of cans, and have the cabin leaders pass out wicks. Caution the students
about the hot cans and against dipping their fingers into the melted wax. Why do you dip in
the water? (It cools and hardens the wax) A candle grows fatter by dipping it over and over
to form layers. It does not get fatter by holding it in the wax (it actually shrinks!).
Demonstrate how to dip quickly and smoothly from the wax to the water 3 times. (Wax,
water, wax, water, wax, water). After 3 dips, the student should move to the back of
whatever line they want to be in next. It is okay to mix colors when dipping candles. The
Updated 9/2012
candle should be no fatter than your thumb. Monitor the students' progress to ensure that
no student has created a "monster-sized" candle!
Tools: (30 Minutes)
Explain each tool; demonstrate how each tool is used and how it would have been used in
early America. After each tool has been discussed and demonstrated, give the students an
opportunity to try them. The instructor and cabin leaders help with the more dangerous tools
(adze, and froe). Break the class up into 3 groups and rotate through the tool stations.
AXES- Used to chop down trees, to clear the land. Settlers would often girdle trees on extra
acres of land. They would chop a ring several inches wide around a tree so that it would die.
No leaves would come out the next spring so sunlight could get through. Crops could then be
planted among the dead trees until they could be removed.
Single and double-bladed axes were used for cutting down and girdling trees. If necessary, an
axe could be used to perform most functions of building a homestead.
BROAD AXES- Were used to turn round logs into square beams. Square beams were easier to
use in log cabin construction. They did not leave large gaps like round logs and therefore
required less chinking.
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AUGER- Was used to drill holes in beams. Then a chisel was used to turn round auger holes
into a square mortise which a tenon could fit into. A tenon is a square peg, which would be
carved out of another square beam end.
FROE and MAUL- Items that were used together. The blade of the froe was placed on the
edge of a piece of wood. The maul was used to hit the dull side of the froe blade. After a few
blows the froe snapped off a shingle, which was used on the roof.
TOE ADZE- Was used for smoothing beams and flooring. The builder stood on the beam with
one foot raised on the heel, toes up. He then brought the adze down and toward him,
scooping into the wood and ending on the bottom of his foot. This stripped shavings off the
wood leaving a smooth surface. This could be used instead of a broad axe, and was much
safer to use than a broad axe.
DRAW KNIFE- Was used to shape and smooth wood. The worker placed his hands on both
handles and drew the knife toward him. The sharp side of the blade was held flat against the
wood. Tool handles and furniture legs could be shaped with a drawknife.
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SHAVING/DRAW HORSE- Was built as a vice to brace the wood while using the drawknife.
What tool would you use to make this horse?
Conclusion:
The customs, lifestyles and tradition of pioneer children in 19th century Wisconsin/Illinois
were different from our modern lifestyles.
Would life on a pioneer farm be difficult or easy?
What other work needed to be done besides working with tools?
How did the pioneers and their tools impact the environment of the Midwest?
What did we learn from them, either good or bad?
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Family Name: ___________________________________________________________
Shopping List:
Remember you cannot exceed $700 and do not have to spend it all. Circle any item you
want to purchase. You must purchase a wagon and 4 oxen.
Item
Wagon
Oxen x 4
Extra Oxen (2)
Spare Yoke
Spare Axel
Spare Wheels
Wagon Cover
Carpentry Kit
Axel Grease (15 lbs)
Lantern
Matches
Extra Blankets
Tent
Dresser
Table
Rug
Rocking Chair
Hoe
Rake
Hammer
Knives
Saw
Nails (10 lbs)
Shovel
Axe
Draw Knife
Rope (100 ft)
Stakes (4)
Candles (50 lbs)
Soap (25 lbs)
Cast Iron Skillet
Cooking Utensils
Tea Kettle
Small Stove
Cost
$250
$100
$50
$8
$75
$50
$8
$10
$2
$4
$1
$4
$5
$20
$10
$5
$3
$2
$2
$2
$2
$2
$1
$2
$2
$2
$2
$2
$5
$3
$7
$3
$5
$7
Purchased Finalized: _______________
Item
Dishes
Canteen
Bucket
Sewing Kit
Washboard
Extra Clothing
Books
Fiddle
Jewelry
Dolls
Clock
Medicine
Marbles
Rifle
Ammunition (5 lbs)
Animal Trap
Flour (100 lbs)
Sugar (200 lbs)
Baking Soda (100 lbs)
Coffee (1 lb)
Rice (50 lbs)
Beans (10 lbs)
Salt (50 lbs)
Pepper (3 lbs)
Bacon (100 lbs)
Salted Pork (100 lbs)
Crackers (100 lbs)
Lard (100 lbs)
Chocolate (1 lb)
Yeast
Dried Fruit (4 bushels)
Cattle
Milk Cow
Pack Horse/Mule
Cost
$2
$1
$1
$5
$1
$20
$2
$9
$20
$2
$5
$5
$1
$10
$2
$5
$2
$25
$4
$5
$1
$1
$1
$1
$5
$5
$3
$5
$3
$5
$6
$15
$50
$35
Money Remaining: _____________
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Scenario:
It is very cold one night. Temperatures drop below 32 degrees. You can
either start a fire to warm up with or use extra blankets. Each family with
either a saw AND matches or extra blankets receives one point.
(Ask which families have this and award a point to them on your clipboard.
They don’t get double for having both.)
Scenario:
The wagon train comes to a large hill and your oxen are struggling to get up
it. If you have extra oxen to hitch up you receives one point.
(Ask which families have this and award a point to them on your clipboard.)
Scenario:
The wagon train comes to a large river that is too deep to ford across. The
captain of the wagon train has decided to cross it instead of finding a
different route. If you have at least $5 left you can pay a local Native
American tribe to ferry your wagon across or you can attempt to float your
wagon across yourself. (Pause and let them decide, and ask for their decision)
If your family paid the money you have made it across the river safely and
receive one point (award these families one point on your clipboard). If your
family took the risk to float across you lost one item from your wagon when it
was flooded, luckily you saved everything else (cross off one item from their
shopping list that they purchased at random, this item cannot be used in any
future scenarios).
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Scenario:
You are low on food supplies; luckily you have just arrived at a small town
where there are some traders. If you have jewelry you made trade with the
trader for food and you receive one point. If you have a cattle you may kill it
for the meat and you receive on point.
(Ask which families have this and award a point to them on your clipboard.
They don’t get double for having both.)
Scenario:
The wagon train has just traveled through some rocky terrain. You have a
mishap and the axel broke. If you have a spare axel you can replace it and
you receive one point. If you have a carpentry kit you can try and fix the axel
and you receive one point.
(Ask which families have this and award a point to them on your clipboard.
They don’t get double for having both.)
Scenario:
You have stopped for lunch and are getting ready to prepare some food. Each
family that has at least 9 food supplies receives one point for having enough
supplies to make lunch for your wagon.
(Ask which families have this and award a point to them on your clipboard.)
Scenario:
The flu has been spreading through the wagon train. If you have medicine you
receive one point for being able to treat your family.
(Ask which families have this and award a point to them on your clipboard.)
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Scenario:
It has been very windy the past three days. The wind has caused your wagon
cover to tear. If you have a sewing kit you can repair the tear and you receive
one point.
(Ask which families have this and award a point to them on your clipboard.)
Scenario:
The wagon train has come upon a thunderstorm. You stop traveling for the
day and try to keep your supplies as dry as possible. If you have a wagon
cover you are able to keep them dry and you receive one point.
(Ask which families have this and award a point to them on your clipboard.)
Scenario:
You come to a very steep hill that is dangerous to travel down. If you have
rope you are able to lower your wagon slowly to make sure it doesn’t go too
fast and you receive one point. If you don’t have rope your wagon wheel
breaks, if you have a replacement you receive one point.
(Ask which families have this and award a point to them on your clipboard.
They don’t get double for having both.)
Scenario:
You have reached a lush green field that is near a river. The captain decides
that everyone could use the rest and you spend all day here. You are able to
collect water in your canteen and relax. Native Americans are stopped nearby
but do no harm. You continue on your trip the next day.
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Scenario:
There are lots of buffalo, wolves, squirrels, and antelope in the area. Your
food supplies are low so you might want to try hunting. If you have a rifle
and ammunition you can hunt and receive one point.
(Ask which families have this and award a point to them on your clipboard.
They don’t get double for having both.)
Scenario:
The terrain is dry and dusty. Dust has collected on the axel and the wheel has
locked up. If you have axel grease to help un stick the wheel you receive one
point.
(Ask which families have this and award a point to them on your clipboard.)
Scenario:
You don’t camp by a river every night so when you come to one it is important
to be able to collect extra for the next several days. If you have a canteen or
bucket you are able to collect extra and you receive one point.
(Ask which families have this and award a point to them on your clipboard.)
Scenario:
You have to collect water from rivers. This is not always clean water and
often times families get sick from drinking water filled with bacteria. If you
have a tea kettle you can boil your water to disinfect and you receive one
point.
(Ask which families have this and award a point to them on your clipboard.)
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Final Scenario: (Always do last)
We have made it to the end of the trail. You and your family are getting ready
to settle. You go into town to purchase some land which cost $2/acre. If you
have at least $40 of extra money you are able to purchase 20 acres of land to
build a house and start a farm to sustain your family and you receive one
point.
(Ask which families have this and award a point to them on your clipboard.)
If you have nails, a saw, and a hammer you are able to start building your
house immediately and you receive one point.
(Ask which families have this and award a point to them on your clipboard.)
If you have a hoe and a rake you are able to start farming land and you
receive one point.
(Ask which families have this and award a point to them on your clipboard.)