Lewis and Clark Lesson Plans

Sixth graders, in groups, produce a Special Edition Newspaper highlighting the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Paper must be historically accurate newspaper from the point of view of different roles.

Students explore the trail followed by Lewis and Clark on their journey across the United States. In this United States History activity, students complete several activities to establish the Lewis and Clark Expedition, including a class discussion, creating a timeline, completing a Venn Diagram and writing an essay.

Students discover specific instances in which Native Americans helped the Lewis and Clark expedition overcome obstacles. They explain that the expedition succeeded because Native Americans generously shared their knowledge and resources.

Students participate in a simulation of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In this hands-on American history activity, students become characters from the early 1800's and make the journey west. They write journal entries, make decisions, and participate in projects during the 4 weeks needed for this activity.

Students explore the challenges of the Lewis and Clark Expedition through a physical education simulation. In this cross-curriculum physical education lesson, students work in groups of three to log 8000 steps, stopping to participate in physical activities similar to the challenges Lewis and Clark may have faced.

Students research and create a "living museum" about Lewis and Clark. In this Lewis and Clark lesson plan, students create maps and artifacts that would be in a museum on the expeditions of Lewis and Clark. Students write about the artifacts in the museum. Students write one page biographies of Lewis and Clark.

Students respond to a variety of true/false questions about the West. They examine maps from the time of Lewis and Clark. Students are given cards with dates and place names. They place them in chronological order to show the progress of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Students examine the preparations made before Lewis and Clark set off on their expedition. They make educated guesses about what Lewis and Clark brought with them on the expedition, then compare their guesses with the actual list of items brought.

Fifth graders, in groups, produce a historically accurate Special Edition Newspaper, including articles, editorials, and pictures, highlighting the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Fifth graders complete a variety of activities surrounding the Lewis and Clark expedition. They create topographical maps of the U.S, showing the general route Lewis and Clark took, and create a board game based on the expedition.