17th Century Exploration Lesson Plans

Students examine the American Holocaust. In this Native American history lesson, students conduct research on infectious diseases that wiped out population of indigenous peoples brought to the New World by Europeans in the 16th and 17th centuries. Students prepare classroom presentations to share their findings.

5th graders sequence events of European exploration and colonization by creating timelines. They define the differences between primary and secondary sources. They discuss claims to Texas land in the 17th Century.

In this lesson learners study Galileo and his scientific discoveries. They complete a series of experiments/model constructions, using 17th century equipment and procedures, to "recreate," demonstrate and explore the various discoveries of Galileo.

In this lesson students attempt to decipher a 17th century New England land deed to determine ownership of land. They explore how English settler's confusion over land ownership lead to conflict with the Pocumtuck Indian tribe.

In this lesson students investigate U.S. history by examining North American timelines. In this American exploration lesson, students research the events that led to Columbus finding America and participate in a jeopardy game regarding his adventure. In this lesson students complete Internet activities about U.S. history and take a test.

Learners study the history and culture of 17th century Japan by examining samurai. They review the format of haiku poetry and examine renga poetry. They examine Kamishibai, the Japanese storytelling form and apply it five facts they discover.

Learners use Internet to examine early French exploration and settlement in Texas, and write journal entries from point of view of 17th Century French settler, French or Spanish explorer, or Native American whose land was taken.

Learners explore story settings by completing a chart.  In this storytelling lesson, learners read a story about 17th Century France and the lack of women in the area.  Learners predict the story points before they read and complete a historical worksheet based on the history of France.

In this lesson students gather information about a 15th to 17th century explorer and prepare a script in talk show format about the individual. Finally, students make a video following the script and present it to the class.

In this lesson 5th graders research European explorers.  In this world history lesson, 5th graders will compare eight European explorers and identify important factual information about each.  In this lesson 5th graders will be engaged through game-play and interactive notebooks.