Moutain Men & Rendezvous
suggested
grade levels: 9-12
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Idaho achievement standards for this lesson
Overview:
As the number of beaver decreased, most of the mountain men
gave up their traps. They had to find other jobs and other ways of life. Because they knew the land so well,
and because they loved to be outdoors, many became guides. Mountain men guided the wagon trains of immigrants
over the Oregon Trail. They protected them, and acted as interpreters.
Some mountain men took land and became farmers. Others settled in the new towns of the west. There they went
into businesses and the professions. Several served in the legislatures of the new territories and states.
As mountain men, they had blazed the trails that brought other people west. In their new lives, they went on
to help build Idaho - and America.
Procedure:
Print out the handout below.
Handouts/Activity links:
These are links to access the handouts and printable materials.
geog14ho.pdf
Handout Sample:
Use the Atlas, the internet and your library to answer the
questions below.
1. What was the mountain man's rendezvous?
2. What were some of the places they were held?
3. Why was the rendezvous in Pierre's Hole in 1832 of special interest?
4. What did the mountain men do after most of the beaver were gone?
Related
Lesson Topics:
Geography: Geography
Lesson Plan provided with permission from The Story of Idaho: Second Edition by Virgil M. Young, 2000
Idaho Achievement Standards (as of 7/2001) met
by completing this activity:
335.01