# >> K-12 >> K-12 For Educators

How to Have a Class Party to Celebrate Western Pioneers

History lessons, even about exciting and interesting tales such as the pioneer expansion to the west, can often become mundane and dull for students when simply read about from a text book. Bring the history lesson to life and encourage students to actively participate in the lesson by having a class party in honor of the pioneers that headed the western expansion of the country. By making the lesson fun and engaging, you can help the students to naturally retain more of the historical information and details.

Pioneer costumes
Pioneer food such as hot cakes, sausage and fried potatoes
Wild west song lyrics
Western expansion trivia questions
Skit scripts

Instructions

- 1
  Invite students to come to the class dressed as pioneers for the party. They can dress as a general western pioneer, characters from literature, such as the "Little House on the Prairie" book series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, or a famous explorer, such as Lewis and Clark. Award prizes for the best costumes.
- 2
  Serve typical "pioneer" food to the students as refreshments, such as hot cakes, sausages and fried potatoes.
- 3
  Teach the students old western songs and host a sing-a-long with the class.
- 4
  Create a game show of the details of the western expansion, such as the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition. Offer prizes to the students and teams who earn the most points.
- 5
  Ask the students to come up with skits depicting portions of the Lewis and Clark journey west. The skits can combine factual details with humorous renditions to promote the maximum entertainment value.

Transition Planning Lesson Plans

Activities to Teach Students to Work in Teams