Free Oregon State Unit Study
Today I’m sharing a huge free Oregon State Unit Study so get your planner out and lets get started!
Oregon Unit Study
We are branching out this year and planning our own history units. Our first one this year it to study our state (Oregon). The landscape, animals, basic history, people and key facts. We will also touch on the Oregon Trail and westward expansion. My goal it to keep it colorful, interactive, and experience-based as much as I can. (Our kids ages range from 5-8)
(If you do this unit along with us, leave us your feedback in the comments below and let me know how it went.)
Objectives for Oregon Unit Study
Here are a few goals we would like to see happen for this Oregon State Unit.
- Identify the basic landscape, animals and people that make up Oregon
- Find Oregon State on a map, as well as, major cities and national sites.
- Develop and appreciation for Oregon’s history, its landscape, animals, and its people.
- Build life skills through Oregon State-themed music, crafts, activities, writing and travel experiences.
Key Facts about Oregon State
- Capital: Salem
- Population: 4.27 Million
- Abbreviation: OR
- Nickname: The Beaver State
- Motto: She Flies With Her Own Wings
- State Bird: Western Meadowlark
- State Flower: Oregon grape
- Major Cities: Portland, Eugene, Gresham, Bend, Lincoln City
- State tree: Douglas Fir
- State song: Oregon, My Oregon
- Products: beef, milk , hay, potatoes, cherries, berries, lumber, sand, gravel, and fish.
Picture Books for Oregon Unit Plan
(This list contains Amazon Affiliate links.)
- The 50 States by Gabrielle Balkan
- B is for Beaver (Oregon alphabet book) by Roland Smith
- Lewis and Clark: Picture Book Biography by David Adler
- If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon by Ellen Levine
- Beavers by Gail Gibbons
- If You were a kid on the Oregon Trail by Josh Gregory
- Tulip Sees America by Cynthia Rylant
- The Keyboard Kitten Gets Oregonized by Bob Welch
- Apples to Oregon by Deborah Hopkinson
- Loowigs Legend-The Story of the Columbia Gorge (Native American Legend) by Erin O’Connell
- Thirty Minutes Over Oregon-A Japanese WWII Story by Marc Tyler Nobleman
Chapter Book Read Alouds for Oregon Unit Study
- A Girl From Yamhill by Beverly Cleary
- The Stout-Hearted Seven:Orphaned on the Oregon Trail by Neta Lohnes Frazier
- Mr. Tucket by Gary Paulsen
- Year of the Black Pony by Walt Morey
- A Wolf Called Wonder by Rosanne Parry
- Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie (The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell) by Kristiana Gregory
People to Highlight from Oregon
(This list contains Amazon Affiliate Links.
- Herbert Hoover– Learn about the 31st President of the U.S. and about his childhood in Newburg, Oregon
- Lewis and Clark– Discover the impact that Lewis and Clark made on the western expansion and discovery of Oregon.
- Sacagawea– Learn about this Shoshone Native American who used her tracking, and survival skills to aid in Lewis and Clark’s expedition.
- Chief Joseph (Nez Pierce tribe)- Find out how Chief Joseph worked to preserve a place on Oregon’s Coast for this people.
- Beverly Cleary (author)- Learn about Beverly Cleary (1916-2021), a famous children’s book author, who grew up on farm in Yamhill Oregon. Some of her beloved books are Romona and Beezus, Mouse the the Motorcycle, Henry Huggins, and more.
Wildlife in Oregon
- Brown Bat
- American Beaver
- Deer Mouse
- Bobcat
- Elk
- Raccoon
- Mink
- Blue Whale
- Spotted Towhee
- Sparrow
- Grosbeak
- Osprey
- Bald Eagle
- Red-Tail Hawk
- House Finch
- Owls
Videos, websites, and apps for Oregon Unit Study
- “Oregon, My Oregon” song.
- Learn about the State of Oregon (Video)
- Oregon’s Amazing Animals (Video)
- Oregon Trail Game
- Oregon State Learning games (website)
- Seterra geography (app)
Craft Ideas for Oregon Unit Study
(This list contains Amazon Affiliate Links.)
- Covered Wagon Craft
- Build a salt dough map of the Oregon Trail
- Tin Punch Craft
- Learn how to draw a beaver
- Paint the Oregon Coast
- Corn Husk Dolls
- Native American Dream Catcher
- Cover wagon coloring book
Activities for Oregon State Unit Study
- Rope tying
- Bird watching
- Whale watching
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Camping
- Make Pemmican (Oregon Trail survival food)
- Make Oregon Trail Mix
Writing Activities for Oregon Unit Study
- Oregon Copywork and activity pack
- Labeled photo collage of things found in Oregon
- Learn about myths and legends then create a myth based on something in Oregon
- Free Oregon State fact sheets
- Oregon Map/writing page (Free)
- Free Oregon State flower coloring sheet
- Free Lewis and Clark worksheets and coloring pages
Field Trip Ideas for Oregon Unit Study
- Crater Lake National Park- This breath-taking lake that is surrounded by Oregon’s lush landscape is the deepest lake in the United States.
- Nez Perce National Historic Park- Visit the Nez Perce park to learn the story of Chief Joseph and the Nimiipuu tribe.
- Astoria Column– Climb to the top of this historic tower and enjoy the specular views of the coastal town of Astoria.
- Oregon Caves– Navigate the deep tunnels through the Siskiyou Mountains and discover why this was nicknamed the “Hall of Marble.”
- End of the Oregon Trail Museum– Discover life-sized displays of what life was like in a covered wagon along the Oregon Trail
- Tillamook Cheese Factory– Visit this creamery to experience farm exhibits, the process of making cheese, as well as, ice cream tasting.
- Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area– Drive through the Columbia River Gorge and enjoy the breath-taking views of the canyon lined with mountains, wildlife, and waterfalls. (Be sure to stop by Multnomah Falls)
- Fort Clapsop (Lewis & Clark National Historical Park) See a replica of the fort Lewis and Clark built for their winter in Oregon.
- Mt. Hood – Visit the tallest mountain in Oregon for great views as well as, a few ski lessons.
- Heceta Head Lighthouse– Hike to this white and red lighthouse on the Pacific Coast cliffs for an amazing view of the Ocean.
- Fort Stevens– Tour the historic Fort Stevens and learn the history behind the barracks, bunkers, and cannons. (Also see the the remains of the Fort Stevens Shipwreck.)
- Pittock Mansion– Visit this upperclass historic home that overlooks the city for an intriguing story of a family and the expansion of Portland.
- Silver Falls State Park– Pack a lunch and prepare to hike. Enjoy the lush vegetation and spectacular waterfalls.
- Sea Lion Caves (Florence)- Check out some of the largest populations of sea lions in the world.
- Portland Rose Test Garden– Tucked behind the Oregon Zoo is the Portland Rose Test Garden. Walk through rows and rows of sweet-smelling, gorgeous-colored flowers.
- Depo Bay (whale watching)- Visit Oregon’s smallest harbor and see if you can catch a glimpse of a migrating whale. (Dec-March)
Printable Free Oregon Unit Plan for Teachers
For my fellow homeschool moms and teacher friends, I’ve complied all these ideas Oregon State unit ideas into a printable resource. This unit builder includes everything in this post and also leaves room for you to add material lists and notes.
Whether you are creating a specific unit on Oregon State History or a study of the Oregon Trail, this is a great printable homeschool resource to reference with a lot of ideas to choose from!
Download Free Oregon Unit Plan Pack
This printable is part of the Inspire the Mom free resource library. If you are already a member, hop on over to the free resource page. If not, fill out the quick form below and join for access to this freebie as well as other great content.
More Elementary Resources
- Fruit of the Spirit Copywork
- Ways to Make Geology Fun for Kids
- Printable All About Me Book
- Books About Nature Study
- Homeschool Digital Student Planner
What are you favorite ways to teach Oregon state history?
This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.
