Challenge on the Trail

This engaging worksheet helps students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 practice problem solving, critical thinking, decision-making, historical reasoning, and written explanation through realistic expedition scenarios. By placing learners in the role of the Lewis and Clark expedition, it strengthens reasoning skills, evidence-based writing, cause-and-effect thinking, and understanding of teamwork during westward exploration .

Learning Goals

• Historical Problem Solving (Grades 4-6) – Analyze expedition challenges such as weather, food shortages, and equipment damage within an exploration context.
• Critical Thinking & Reasoning – Evaluate options, predict consequences, and justify decisions using logical explanations.
• Explanatory Writing Skills – Practice writing clear responses that include reasons, supporting details, and purposeful vocabulary.
• Social Studies Integration – Build historical empathy and understanding of daily life on the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Classroom & Home Use

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators to align with upper elementary social studies and ELA standards.
• Flexible Implementation – Works well for independent practice, small groups, discussion starters, or writing assignments.
• Cross-Curricular Focus – Combines history, critical thinking, and writing in one meaningful activity.
• Accessible Design – Clear prompts support diverse learners and encourage thoughtful, complete responses.

This printable worksheet helps students strengthen problem-solving strategies, reasoning skills, explanatory writing, and historical understanding while exploring real-world challenges faced by early explorers. By thinking through consequences and teamwork, learners build perseverance, empathy, and decision-making confidence. It’s an easy-to-use, no-prep resource that fits naturally into both classroom instruction and homeschool learning environments.

This worksheet is part of our Lewis and Clark Expedition collection.