Mix students with all abilities and interests. In groups, students brainstorm a list of what you need to know about traveling West in 1840 before deciding on what supplies you need. Do this with a word processing program. Students decide on how information will be collected. Teach mini-lessons on gathering info. and note taking skills.
Students gather info.
Instruct on how to sort and organize collected information. Students determine if more information is needed. If more is needed, back to research process. If enough information, go to next stage. Students decide on job assignment for the final product.