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Coming to California
Fourth graders read excerpts from Juan Bautista de Anza's diaries. They analyze the impact of primary sources. They write journal entries for characters in stories they have read during the year.
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Routing Explorers
Students read excerpts from an explorer's journal and then become investigators and navigators themselves. Students answer questions about the difficulties and time it took for the explorers to travel from Washington to New Orleans and...
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First European Settlers:Oh, California
Students trace the paths of the early explorers who sent three expeditions to settle California. They analyze possible reasons why the land expeditions took longer than ocean routes.
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Globe Skills Lesson 2: Paving the Way for Columbus
Students explore the expedition of Christopher Columbus. In this geography skills instructional activity, students consider the technological advances that made Columbus's expedition possible as they complete a latitude and longitude...
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Cyber Hunt Activities: Lewis & Clark
Students participate in cyber hunt activities involving Lewis and Clark in order to gain a better idea of what it was like to be an explorer of the vast western lands. In this history instructional activity, students may choose to study...
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Coronado: Misfortune's Explorer
Fourth graders discuss the importance of Coronado's expedition through Texas and the trials his men endured during the journey. They view and discuss a map of Coronado's route, the effects of weather on the Great Plains, and Buffalo....
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The Gold Rush
Students identify the routes involved in the Gold Rush on a map. In this map skills lesson, students use a United States map to locate the routes used to travel to California during the Gold Rush. Students demonstrate how to use the map...
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The Greatest Survival Story of All Time
Students use the Internet to read about an explorer's survival in the Antarctic. They try to find a better route for him to have taken.
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The 21st Century Lewis and Clark Trail
Students create a better route through the Rocky Mountains for the Lewis and Clark expedition after tracing the original path.
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European Exploration
Sixth graders analyze key European explorers and focus on where and why they explored. They research who sponsored the explorers as well as the accomplishments of the explorers. They discuss the lasting effects of the expeditions in...
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Journey of Discovery and Rivers
Students investigate the rivers encountered and mapped by the Corps of Discovery. They analyze maps, outline and label rivers on a blank map, complete a chart, and answer discussion questions while watching a National Geographic video,...
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Math of the Path: Students Calculate Data from the Lewis and Clark Journey
Students use calculations to complete the same journey of Lewis and Clark. They answer questions along their way and share information they gather with the class. They compare their calculations with those made by Lewis and Clark.
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Inspirational Mapping for the Corps of Discovery
Third graders use a computer software entitled, Inspiration, in order to create a map or web of what Lewis and Clark should have packed for their journey west. They are given the expectations of the teacher and a scoring guide is...
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Step by Step
Students create step books to illustrate important events. They discuss how to do things "step by step" and prepare pages to illustrate steps. They select a conquistador and create a step book to illustrate his biographical...
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Grade 8 Unit 4
Eighth graders analyze aspirations and ideals of the people of the new nation, in terms of its physical landscapes and political divisions, and the territorial expansion of the United States during the terms of the first four presidents.
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History in Pictures
Sixth graders interpret diary entries, letters and read maps to better understand portions of history. They create an oral presentation demonstrating understanding of how cultural characteristics have been communicated through art,...
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Desert Postcards
Students research characteristics of deserts. They present their findings in small groups to the class. Students utilize information learned about desert biomes, geography of the route of the Niger, and expeditions in their writing.
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Rivers to the West
Young scholars discuss the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the reasons they may have chosen to follow certain rivers. They list the rivers that start from St. Louis and follow the route of Lewis and Clark. Students trace and label the...
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Pánfilo de Narváez, Nuñez de Cabeza de Vaca
Young scholars identify the route that Narváez and de Vaca sailed, and the mishaps that occurred during their exploration of Florida. They illustrate each of the vocabulary words or create mini barges using sticks and cloth.
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The Search for the Northwest Passage
Third graders listen to lectures and research the motivations and history of the Spanish, French and English explorers searching for the Northwest Passage to India. They trace routes on maps and consider how these explorers helped shaped...
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Where Indians and Bison Meet
Fifth graders examine a transparency of the Pre-2004 Monticello Nickel and compare it to the American Bison Nickel. They research Native American tribes and discover why the bison was so important to them. They create products showing...
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Glory, God and Gold: Voyages and Adventures - America 1500
By providing an in-depth and interesting overview of European exploration in the New World, this presentation would be a wonderful complement to a unit on this topic. The 17 slide presentation is both thought-provoking and informative....
Montana State University
Meet Mount Everest
Learning about one landform might seem boring to some, but using the resource provided practically guarantees scholar interest. The second in a sequential series of eight covering the topic of Mount Everest includes activities such as a...
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King John II of Portugal & Columbus: The Period of Discovery
Having an interesting reading passage can really help some kids get into history. Here are five reading comprehension and recall questions related to the provided reading passage. They'll read about King John II of Portugal, his...