Curated OER
Trade and Travel on the Overland Trails
Students compare and contrast trade routes. In this trade route lesson plan, students explore the Oregon Trail and the Santa Fe trail. Students compare and contrast the purposes for these trails.
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.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 1: On the Road with Marco Polo: A Boy in 13th Century Venice
Learners investigate Marco Polo's life as a young boy in 13th century Venice. They analyze maps, explore various websites, complete a chart and answer discussion questions, and create a travel brochure about visiting 13th century Venice.
Curated OER
Daily Life in the Fur Trade: Communications & Resourcefulness
Student complete a number of activities using computer based resources and primary sources to research the fur trade. They answer questions using the computer research.
Curated OER
In Celebration of the Silk Road
Sixth graders explore the ancient trade routes of the Silk Road with a focus on a province in China to identify artifacts and research how these items arrived in the city of Turpan.
Curated OER
I'm Dreaming of a Sustainable Christmas
Students examine global trade. In this global economics lesson, students visit websites to learn about trade with China and the environmental damage of global trade.
Curated OER
Medieval Travelers
Tenth graders explore the impact of trade on culture. In this trade lesson, 10th graders compare the travels of Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta. Students research the explorers and create materials for a gallery walk that feature the impact...
Curated OER
From Salt Lake City toSingapore... Products of UtahTravel Worldwide
Seventh graders examine the products of Utah. In this economics lesson plan, 7th graders investigate the products grown and processed in Utah today and historically. Students explore the impact of the railroad on Utah's economy.
Curated OER
A Golden Age: Three West African Empires
Seventh graders research the kingdoms and rulers of Ghana, Mali and Songhay. In groups, they explore the trade routes and the spread of Islam. Using the internet, textbook and other sources, 7th graders collect information and write a...
Curated OER
Come One, Come All
Students analyze information from core map and other sources and construct routes from New York and Boston to Cincinnati as they might have existed in 1835.
Curated OER
A Natural Connection to the Azores
Learners use primary sources to examine whaling voyages, biology, and geography. In this geography lesson, students analyze ship logs and plot locations of animals and determine routes using latitude and longitude.
Curated OER
'European Exploration, Conquest, and Trade
Fifth graders examine the motives, progress and results of the European exploration and conquest of Asia, Africa and the West Indies from the 15th to the 17th centuries. They use maps to trace spice routes and research the role of spices...
Curated OER
Viking Discoveries
Students examine Viking discoveries. For this Viking history lesson, students research Viking culture. Students use their research findings to write historically accurate narratives and build longship models.
Curated OER
Baltimoreans in the California Gold Rush
Eleventh graders explore the reasons for migration to California during the Gold Rush. In this American History lesson, 11th graders read letters about the opportunities and obstacles people faced. Students create a map of migration...
Curated OER
Let's Spice It With Pepper
Students identify and locate the areas in which pepper and spices orginated. On a map, they locate the areas and write the name of the spice that is found there. They use historical events to trace its route to the Americas. They...
Curated OER
Globe Skills Lesson 2: Paving the Way for Columbus
Students explore the expedition of Christopher Columbus. In this geography skills lesson, students consider the technological advances that made Columbus's expedition possible as they complete a latitude and longitude activity.
Curated OER
Columbian Contexts
Students explore geo-political and economic contexts for the European Renaissance journeys of exploration, including those of Columbus, create cartographic symbols, and add those symbols to a print-out of Ptolemy's map.
Curated OER
Journey of the Salmon
Third graders predict salmon migration routes and explore how dams affect the salmon migration. They explore the cultural significance of salmon to the Nez Perce people and design technology to aid salmon migration.
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
The Growth of Islam
Seventh graders gain insight into the daily lives of Muslims and to develop empathy for them by studying the Islamic world and creating presentations.
Curated OER
"Now and Then" Comparing Present Day with Medieval Times
Eighth graders compare a present-day social issue with a medieval issue. They use technology tools to conduct their research and demonstrate their new knowledge. Students present their findings to the class in the form of a PowerPoint.
Curated OER
An Age of Exploration
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....
Curated OER
Sticks, Stones, Sinews and Stuff: How Early People Used the Environment to Meet Basic Needs
Students create an artifact. In this early survival lesson, students use found objects to create an artifact that could have been used to help early people meet their basic needs.
Curated OER
Wappo Indians of Napa County
Third graders describe the American Indian nation in their local region long ago and in the recent past in terms of national identities, religious beliefs, customs, and various folklore traditions. They synthesize their findings into a...