The Trail of Tears

A WebQuest for 5th Grade Social Studies

Based on a webquest designed by L. Lowry and K. Kennedy

Modified by Shirley Kiernan

Imagine being forced to leave your home so that someone else may live there. You have done nothing wrong, broken no laws, or injured anyone. This is what happened to the Cherokee after Congress passed the Indian Removal Act of 1830. This WebQuest will examine the event that has come to be known as The Trail of Tears.

Task

Answer the following questions, in complete sentences, using the resources provided. Please write the questions as well. You may type this portion if you wish. If this section is handwritten, please use blue or black ink only, and write in cursive.

1. What was the Removal Act of 1830?

2. Who was President of the United States that signed the Removal Act?

3. What were the five major Native American groups affected by the law?

4. Where were these Native Americans located originally?

5.    Compare the boundaries of the Cherokee Country prior to European settlement, the
        end of the Revolutionary War, and prior to the forced removal of the Cherokee.
        (Click on each map to see the larger version of the map.) In your comparison,
        include the present-day states in each map that are included in the Cherokee
        Country boundaries and the way in which the boundaries change. Note any other
        observations.

6.    What was the name of the treaty which gave all Cherokee territory east of the
        Mississippi River to the U.S.? What did they get in return? Why was the treaty
        considered illegal by the Cherokees?

7. Describe the Cherokee Law System. Why was balance important? What drove the
revenge system?

8. What were the two reasons that the Native Americans were removed from their
homelands?

9. How many Native Americans were relocated as a result of the trail of
tears?

10. Who was Samuel Cloud? List three things he endured during his journey.

11.     Describe some of the hardships that Native Americans experienced after relocating.
12.     Why do you think it was called "The Trail of Tears" or "On the Trail Where They
          Cried?"

Resources

Cherokee Country Maps
Cherokee Images
Cherokee Law System
Chief John Ross
National Historic Trail
Samuel's Memory
Trail of Tears Account
Trail Of Tears

Process

A. Cooperative Learning
       1. You will be assigned a partner
       2. Using the resources listed, answer the 12 questions listed in The Task.
       3. You and your partner will turn in individual copies of the questions and answers.

B. Independent Project
       Your final project will include one of the following:
           - a map of the Trail of Tears with illustrations based on the events you have learned. Include color and labels.
           - a monument dedicated to the victims of the Trail of Tears. Your monument can be created from a variety of materials. Some examples are styrofoam or play dough.
             Be creative in your choice of material and color. Include an inscription on the monument.
           - a journal in which you write from the point of view of a Cherokee child who is your age as he/she experiences the Trail of Tears. Include illustrations and a cover for your journal.

Evaluation: Task Questions (to be completed by all); Student Choice: Map; Monument; Journal


Task Questions	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4
Format of paper (10% of total grade)	Questions missing; paper is printed; pencil is used	Questions included with answers; paper is not written in cursive; partner's name is missing	Questions included with answers; paper is typed or written in cursive using blue or black ink; name of student and partner included	Questions included with answers; paper is typed or written in blue or black ink; answers are written in cursive; name of student and partner included
Mechanics (10% of total grade)	Many misspelled words, punctuation errors; no evidence of proofreading, editing	1-2 misspelled words; 3-4 punctuation errors; careless proofreading, editing	There are no misspelled words; 1-2 minor punctuation errors; paper proofread and edited	There are no misspelled words; punctuation is used correctly throughout; evidence of careful proofreading; editing
Neatness (5 % of total grade)	Many cross-outs, obvious corrections noted	Paper is written; several corrections noted	Paper is typed or written; minor corrections evident	Paper is neatly typed or written in blue or black ink; no obvious corrections
Answers to questions (75% of total grade)	More than 3 answers are incomplete; no explanation of terms	3 answers are incomplete; terms are not explained	1-2 answers are incomplete; terms are explained	All questions are answered completely; any terms are explained in the context of the answer


Map	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Neatness (5 % of total grade)	Many obvious corrections noted; lack of care and effort in finished map	Several obvious corrections noted; labels difficult to read; smeared glue if illustrations are glued	Minor corrections noted; some labels difficult to read; illustrations are neatly drawn or glued	No obvious corrections; labels are clearly written; illustrations are neatly drawn or glued
Events Represented on Map (15 % of total grade)	Many difficulties noted; lack of care and effort in finished map	1-2 events not in order; many difficulties with organization of illustrations and labels	Events are presented in order; minor difficulties with organization of illustrations and labels	Events are presented in order; illustrations and labels provide clear picture of events
Creativity (5% of total grade)	Lack of care and effort noted	Limited use of color	Presentation is colorful	Presentation is colorful and visually interesting
Accuracy (75% of total grade)	More than three errors noted	3 errors noted	1-2 errors noted	All information presented is correct


Monument	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Creativity (25% of total grade)	Little thought, creativity used in creating monument	Materials used do not seem to represent subject	Good use of materials, color and text	Exceptional use of materials, color and text used for inscription
Symbolic Use (30% of total grade)	No symbolic use noted	Few symbols used in representation not evident	Good use of symbols learned to represent Cherokee	Exceptional use of symbols learned to represent Cherokee
Neatness (20% of total grade)	Finished monument shows little care, pride in work	Monument has several flaws with glue, color; inscription is difficult to read or has misspelled words	Monument has minor flaws; inscription is neatly typed or written	Monument shows care in use of glue, color; inscription is neatly typed or written
Accuracy (25% of total grade)	More than 3 inaccuracies	3 inaccuracies	1-2 inaccuracies	All symbols, dates given are accurate


Journal	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Cover (10% of total grade)	Illustration and title are missing; name and date are present but not in the appropriate location	Illustration is missing; has a title; student's name and date appear in lower right-hand corner	Cover contains an illustration or graphic; has a title; student's name and date appear in lower right-hand corner	Cover contains an appropriate illustration or graphic; has a title; student's name and date appear in lower right-hand corner
Illustrations (10% of total grade)	Illustrations are inappropriate for journal entries	Illustrations have little to do with journal entries	Illustrations are appropriate for journal entries	Illustrations are neatly drawn and are appropriate for journal entries
Journal Format (30% of total grade)	Little thought given to format of journal; dates are missing	Many flaws noted in format; dates not always present	Format has minor flaws; includes date of entry	Format is clear and logical; includes date of entry; follows in sequence;
Content (50% of total grade)	Little care is given to making character believable; many inaccuracies noted	Some inaccuracies noted; character is not believable; many grammar or punctuation errors	Content provides accurate understanding of experience; character is believable; some grammar or punctuation mistakes that detract from the story	Content provides clear, accurate understanding of experience; character is believable; no grammar or punctuation mistakes that detract from the story

Conclusion

The events leading to the Trail of Tears have been debated for years. This event in our history is one that deserves careful analysis and understanding so that we learn from our past mistakes and make a better future for all Americans.

Credits & References

http://ngeorgia.com/history/nghisttt.html
http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/trailtea.htm

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Last updated on June 27, 2003. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page