Curated OER
Project Organizer: Follow an Explorer
This is both a great idea and a great way to help your class organize a themed project. They use these worksheets to assist them in writing a creative historical narrative about the life and travels of an explorer. They'll compare and...
National Endowment for the Humanities
On This Day With Lewis and Clark
Walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark as they discover the wonders, beauty, and dangers of the American frontier. After gaining background knowledge about Thomas Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase, young explorers use primary...
Curated OER
But Where Is It On This Modern Map? A problem-solving, mind-boggling experience!
Trace Columbus' voyages by locating them on 21st Century maps. Using a navigators lesson, 4th graders will examine the Age of Exploration and trace Columbus's routes accurately on laminated world maps using different maps. Note: You...
Curated OER
Explorers in Kansas
Fourth graders read cards about the explorers: Coronado, Lewis, and Clark, Pike, and Long. In this influential expeditions lesson, 4th graders describe and observe explorers who came to Kansas. Students locate main reasons and details as...
Curated OER
Assessing and Making Maps
Students evaluate maps using the TODALSIGs basic map analysis system, explained on the worksheet. They create a map of Alaska using TODALSIGs. Students brainstorm the elements of maps.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 3: On the Road with Marco Polo: From Hormuz to Kashgar
Young explorers examine the route that Marco Polo and his father traveled to reach China. They examine online maps of the Silk Road and harsh terrain of Afghanistan to determine challenges that may have been encountered during travel.
Curated OER
Early European Explorers
Fifth graders complete a variety of activities surrounding European exploration of the New World. They research one explorer and write and present an essay or script in which they portray that explorer as he makes his final report to his...
Curated OER
Early Explorers Web Quest
Students use the Canadian atlas online to research early explorers and settlers in Canada. They also complete a Web Quest to gather information from maps. They make generalizations about the early settlement patterns as well.
Curated OER
European Explorers
Seventh graders research European Explorers lives. They create a Word Document, or slide show based on their research.
Curated OER
Explorers (Early European)
Young scholars research and explore the past and its historical roots involving the economic motivations of early European explorers. They assess connections between the current technological advances in transportation and that of the...
Curated OER
What Do Maps Show?
Students discover the uses for various types of maps. In this geography skills activity, students discuss the type of maps that exist and what their individual features are. Students then practice using different types of maps.
Curated OER
Introduction to Maps
Students develop their map skills. In this geography lesson, students participate in an activity that requires them to survey their social studies book in order to find different types of maps and purposes for their uses.
Curated OER
Introduction to Maps
Students investigate a variety of maps to explain what each one is used for.
Curated OER
de Soto's Expedition: An Alternate Route
Eighth graders interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Exploration Age lesson, 8th graders compare historical maps with new maps focusing on the route of Hernado de Soto.
Curated OER
It’s a Big, Big World
Students examine the role of the explorers. In this explorers and conquistadors, students create word puzzles (Wordles) regarding the time period in history. Students conduct research regarding a particular explorer and create foldables...
Curated OER
Distinguished Discoveries: Florida quarter reverse
Florida's state quarter has an image of a space shuttle and a Spanish Galleon on its reverse side. Pupils will examine the state quarter and think about how the Spanish explorers and Space explorers are the same and different. The class...
National Geographic
The Monsoon
Few things are as fascinating as the challenge of climbing Mount Everest. This lesson investigates how monsoon weather impacts climbers. To begin, you are instructed to show various video clips. The only one directly provided, however,...
Curated OER
Mapping the West
Learners determine how Americans' perception of the geographical features of the West changed following the Lewis and Clark expedition. They analyze historical maps of the West.
Curated OER
European Exploration, Trade and Colonization
Students complete many activities including mapping, reading books, and Internet research to learn about European exploration. In this European lesson plan, students study geographical mapping, trade, and colonization.
Curated OER
A Differentiated Way through Think Dots
Students examine reasons that led people to explore, identify "West" as defined following Revolutionary War, explain importance of finding natural resources, develop time line of dates and events leading up to Lewis and Clark Expedition,...
Curated OER
Of Maps and Worldviews
Young scholars explore Ptolemy's world map as an expression of the Renaissance view of the world.
Curated OER
European Explorers of North and South America
Sixth graders explore the connection between the geography of America and the migration of the Native Americans to the American continents to the future conquering of the continents by the Europeans. They discuss the causes and effects...
Curated OER
Historical Research on Explorers of Canada
Eighth graders study an online atlas of Canada to research an early explorer.
Curated OER
What is an Explorer
Students become explorers. They examine a picture of an explorer and create props to explore within the classroom. Students are studying the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. They explore how to read a map and create a map of the classroom...