The pioneers traveled hundreds of miles through many different types of lands. They traveled through the Great Plains, forests, over mountains, and crossed rivers. Imagine all the different types of plants and animals they encountered!
What ecosystems did the pioneers encounter along their journey? What types of plants and animals did they find? Were they the same the whole journey?
You will be investigating the different ecosystems found in the United States, and particularly focusing on the ecosystems the pioneers traveled through.
What is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms, such as plants and animals, along with their environment, that is all interrelated.
1. You and your partner will investigate the different ecosystems of the United States. Check out these two sites to help you find the information:
Answer the following question using at least 3 details from the text to support your answer:
Explain in your own words why there are
not many prairies left in the U.S.
Next, go underground and find out the different types of animals that live on the prairie.
After completing the underground adventure, write down three facts you learned about underground prairie dog towns.
3. Now that you are familiar with the different ecosystems and their characteristics, it's up to you to create a new animal that would survive along the Oregon Trail.
First, you will visit Switch Zoo. This is no ordinary zoo where you visit ordinary animals. Here, you will create a new animal.
Click on the Switch Zoo link to begin your journey. Click on the animal list first to see all of the animals at the zoo. You will need to go back to this list to find out facts about your new animal to make sure it can survive in the ecosystems found along the Oregon Trail.