Voyages of Discovery Lesson Plans

Students develop a sense of the scale of our solar system by creating a one to ten billion scale model. They calculate the relative sizes and distances for the planets and asteroid belt using a guiding worksheet. To create the model they place traffic cones at the appropriate distances on a field or sidewalk and use food items such as poppy seeds and gum balls to represent each planet.

Fifth graders re-enact historical events. In this Reader's Theater lesson, 5th graders read historical documents from various perspectives on Columbus' journey to find new land. A vareity of resources and documents are included as part of this unit of study.

Learners research the journey of Lewis and Clark. In this Westward Expansion lesson plan, students select a topic form a list then role play as if they were a part of the Corps of Discovery. Learners will share their role play skit with the class.

Students explore ancient sea voyages. In this lesson on historical Chinese explorers, students view a PowerPoint, take notes, watch a video and then compare and contrast European and Asian exploration voyages. Student then map the voyages of Zheng He and the Treasure Fleet.

Increase comprenension! Explore how to break words down to their root. In a thorough series of activities, recognize that a word might have a different meaning in different texts. Find and define central parts of a story such as plot, main idea, setting, climax and characters, while exploring the idea of culture. 

Young scholars study pioneers on the Oregon Trail through a simulation.  In this American history lesson, students discover the supplies, choices, and modes of transportation while on the Oregon Trail.  They identify geography difficulties, weather conditions and Native American Indian conflicts.  

Learners examine how we use submersibles. In this technology based lesson, students examine various technologies used by submersibles in ocean exploration.

Students engage in various activities, including a large KWL chart where students brainstorm and list everything to know about exploration and technology. Students discuss and share their experiences with exploration. Students create timelines of past and present explorations where specific explorers have traveled by land, sea, and space.

Students explore the ocean depths. In this scenario based lesson plan, students pretend they are on a submarine in an unknown part of the ocean. By using clues the class discusses and determines where they are in the ocean. They follow up this activity by discussing why it is important to explore the ocean.

Students examine the explorations of Daniel Boone and his part in the exploration and development of the state of Kentucky. In small groups they conduct Internet research, and create a PowerPoint presentation or a poster using their research findings.