Here are some activities to do in conjunction with the On-Line project:

Students are to complete National Trail Notepad pages while finding information.  Remind them to document the webpage title and URL at the bottom of the pages.

1.  Create and travel on a simulated "Old Trail"

• Design and make milestone markers and put together an "Old Trail" on the school grounds.  Such things as furniture dropped off, bones of a cow, messages left on rocks or a piece of wood, and perhaps a tombstone (wooden cross of a deceased traveler) along the trail.
• "Camp out" along the trail while traveling to:  eat, drink (water, juice), sing some folk songs, talk and visit, gather sticks for the fire (simulated), and maybe even play some pioneer games (kids)
• Use a Magellan GPS device to create a map of the grounds with points marked with milestone markers.  Travellers will have to use the Magellan device to find each marker.  Draw a map based upon their journey on the "old trail"
• Take on the role of a pioneer(s) and Native Americans to be met along the trail.  Trade items that each would like or need-- a peaceful meeting!
• Add other items as you and your students discover during the initial reading and research

• Have students write a Pioneer "journal" in which a month's worth of days would recorded.  The entries will include daily activities of the trip, special events, personal notes.  The journal could be illustrated. (all can be done by computer word processor and a scanner.
• Read a biography about a famous pioneer who travelled out west.  The library usually has plenty of these on the shelves.  An encyclopedia or an Internet biography could work also.  After reading the book, the student(s) could report back about the person they read about to the class in the form of a short dramatic "dress-up" presentation, a Power Point, Hyperstudio, or even a colorful art work (poster, picture or chart).
• Have students write a narrative story concerning an aspect of being a pioneer on the trail to out west.  Any specific sub-topic that interests the student would be appropriate.  Set your own standards as for writing quality and quantity.
• Have students create illustrated maps of their favorite "Old West Trail."  Viewing actual old maps on the Internet or from books would give them an idea of what a 19th century map looks like.
• Teachers in the school could have a Pioneer Life day at the school.  Food, games, speeches, presenters, and displays would make a very exciting day.  Be sure to capture the event with digital and video images for presentation later.

Check out this "Milestone" list of projects from Texas.