As students view each image, ask them what they notice about details such as people, clothing, transportation and setting. You can research this information ahead of time using the Oregon Trail website. Supplies describes the amount of food a family would need in order to survive on the Trail. Wagons offers a detailed description of the farm wagons that most emigrants used for the westward journey. Congestion describes the traffic jams that delayed the start of the pioneers' journeys.
Power explains why emigrants chose mules or oxen to pull their wagons.
Hardships describes some of the physical risks of the journey, such as fatigue, accidents, storms, disease, and dangerous river crossings. Camping documents the daily routine of trail life. Buffalo describes the emigrants' encounters with herds of buffalo along the Trail. Native Americans recounts both friendly and unfriendly meetings with Native Americans. Each of these sections also includes photographs that can be shared with the class.