Westward Movement!Westward Movement!All about PioneersAll about Pioneers

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PioneerPioneer

Pioneers were the first people to settle in the frontiers of North America.  Although many of the pioneers were farmers, others were doctors, shopkeepers, blacksmiths, missionaries, lawyers, and so on.  They came from many places in the United States to start their new lives.  The majority of their ancestors came from European countries such as England, Germany, and Scotland.  Before leaving their homes they either saved money for the trip, sold their land and other possessions, or agreed to work for others on the trip.

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TravelTravel

Most pioneers traveled in covered wagons, and these wagons were led by horses, mules, or oxen. Oxen were the smarter choice, because they were the stronger animals. The wagons could not carry more than 2,000 pounds and most children walked on behind the wagon. The pioneers traveled in Wagon Trains with a captain, or wagon master, who led the way down the trail. At night, the wagons would circle around each other for safety and shelter.

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FoodFoodSome of the foods the pioneers took Some of the foods the pioneers took

with them included: yeast for baking, with them included: yeast for baking, crackers, cornmeal, bacon, eggs, crackers, cornmeal, bacon, eggs, dried meat, potatoes, rice, beans, and dried meat, potatoes, rice, beans, and a big barrel of water. Sometimes they a big barrel of water. Sometimes they brought chocolate along for a special brought chocolate along for a special treat. If the family owned a cow, it treat. If the family owned a cow, it would be brought along for milk.would be brought along for milk.

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ToolsToolsThe pioneers took many different tools on The pioneers took many different tools on their journey. Here is a list of some of the their journey. Here is a list of some of the

main tools brought: main tools brought: • Draw Knife- for peeling off bark on the Draw Knife- for peeling off bark on the

logs for the cabins.logs for the cabins.• Grinding Stone- to sharpen tools on the Grinding Stone- to sharpen tools on the

way (pictured in the background)way (pictured in the background)•Plow- for moving the dirt and sowing Plow- for moving the dirt and sowing

seedsseeds•Cooking Pot and Cauldron- for cookingCooking Pot and Cauldron- for cooking•Saws- this was the most important tool Saws- this was the most important tool

for a pioneer. It was used for cutting down for a pioneer. It was used for cutting down trees, repairs, and more.trees, repairs, and more.

•Meat Grinder- to cut up the meat for Meat Grinder- to cut up the meat for eating.eating.

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QuizQuizQuestion 1: What was the best animal to have drive

your wagon?Answer:A. OxenB. HorseQuestion 2: Which of the following would the pioneers

have taken for food?Answer:A. YeastB. Coco Puffs

Question 3: What was the most important tool for the pioneers?

Answer:A. Meat GrinderB. Saw

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Wrong Answer!Wrong Answer!

The pioneers would prefer The pioneers would prefer Oxen on the trail because Oxen on the trail because they were stronger than they were stronger than horses.horses.

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Correct!Correct!

The Oxen were stronger The Oxen were stronger than horses, so the than horses, so the pioneers would prefer pioneers would prefer them on the trail.them on the trail.

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Wrong Answer!Wrong Answer!

Coco Puffs were not Coco Puffs were not invented at the time that invented at the time that pioneers lived. Yeast, pioneers lived. Yeast, however, could be used however, could be used for bread and other for bread and other items.items.

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Correct!Correct!

Yeast was a food Yeast was a food the pioneer used the pioneer used to make bread and to make bread and other items.other items.

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Wrong Answer!Wrong Answer!

The meat grinder could only The meat grinder could only be used at a certain time of be used at a certain time of year for cutting up meat to year for cutting up meat to eat. The saw could be used eat. The saw could be used all year long to cut things for all year long to cut things for homes and repairs.homes and repairs.

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Correct!Correct!

The saw was more The saw was more important because it important because it could be used all year could be used all year long. The meat grinder long. The meat grinder could only be used only at could only be used only at certain times of the year.certain times of the year.

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