Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Native Americans of the Chesapeake Bay: Using Primary vs. Secondary Sources

For Teachers 4th - 5th Standards
Discover the rich Native American culture that existed at the time of early European exploration into the Chesapeake region through analysis of several primary and secondary sources.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

John Smith’s Map of the Chesapeake Bay

For Teachers 4th - 5th Standards
Young geographers travel back through time with primary source and map analysis and envision Captain John Smith's arrival at the Chesapeake Bay. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Captain John Smith's Shallop

For Teachers 4th - 5th Standards
Young explorers, all aboard the shallop to discover how early European explorers would navigate the American coastline to find resources, map terrain, and trade with Native American tribes.
Activity
1
1
West Liberty Community School District

Exploring European Countries

For Teachers 7th - 10th Standards
Your class members will each explore a European country of their choice and report back to the class using a creative PowerPoint or Prezi. They will not only include a basic introduction to the country, but also what they discovered...
Interactive
DocsTeach

Statues of Christopher Columbus

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Scholars compare statues of Columbus and discuss how each memorial captures his personality. Academics also complete a worksheet and discuss how some people have called to remove statues honoring Columbus. 
Activity
1
1
Council for Economic Education

Why Didn't China Discover the New World?

For Students 5th - 8th Standards
Who was Zheng He and why haven't we heard of him? Scholars consider the question as they compare his vast expeditionary force to that of Christopher Columbus. Young historians then ponder the intersection of science, economics, and...
Worksheet
Reading Through History

Early History and Exploration Unit

For Students 8th - 12th Standards
We all know about Christopher Columbus, but who else explored the Americas, and specifically, the future United States of America? Learners find out these answers and more in a resource that includes four different reading sections,...
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Mapping Initial Encounters

For Teachers 6th - Higher Ed Standards
Picture someone's excitement of seeing a horse for the first time. How about a cow? The Columbian Exchange changed life for not only Native Americans, but also for Europeans and the entire world. The second lesson of a 22-part series...
Workbook
Student Handouts

Christopher Columbus Workbook

For Students 2nd - 4th Standards
Youngsters gain ample reading comprehension practice while studying the history of Christopher Columbus with this great workbook! It includes word puzzles and comprehension checks of multiple assessment styles, including multiple choice,...
Activity
Curated OER

European Explorers: Research Project

For Students 5th - 7th Standards
What will your students choose to include in their explorer's treasure chest? Youngsters research an early European explorer and gather items to reflect their research, such as a detailed map of the explorer's voyages, portrait,...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

European Exploration, Trade and Colonization

For Teachers 7th - 12th
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.
Interactive
Curated OER

European Exploration & Discovery

For Students 9th - 12th
An online interactive world history learning exercise challenges learners to answer 11 multiple choice questions regarding the Exploration Age. They then may submit their answers to be scored.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mystery of Exploration

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students comprehend the history of European exploration of North America. They are introduced to basic reasearch techniques. Students focus on four explorers who visited New York State: Verrazano, Cartier, Champlian, and Hudson. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 6: Examining Events from Different Perspectives Friend or Foe?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders sequence events of European exploration and colonization by creating timelines. They define the differences between primary and secondary sources. They discuss claims to Texas land in the 17th Century.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

AIH-14: Changes to American Indian Cultures

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore American Indian cultures and changes caused by European exploration in North America.
Organizer
Curated OER

European Exploration From 1400-1700

For Students 7th - 8th
In this European exploration worksheet, students complete a graphic organizer with facts about reasons and obstacles for exploration, achievements of explorers and impact on Spain, France, England and Portugal.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

European Explorers

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students research one of seventeen explorers before filling in a worksheet. Next, they write a song verse using the information and sing it to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." On the next day, they play a game of "Who Am I?" using...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

European Exploration

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders use their research information to design their explorer slide using PowerPoint after observing the teacher's model. They design the first slide as a team coming up with a title, slide 2 should give background, slide 7...
Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: The European Presence in North America 1492 1690

For Students 9th - 10th
Primary source material on European presence in North America between 1492 and 1690 covers the topics of contact, exploration, settlement, permanence, and power. Includes notes and discussion questions.
Unit Plan
Texas Education Agency

Texas Gateway: Exploration and Colonization of America

For Students 9th - 10th
Given short summaries about the reasons for European exploration and colonization of North America, students will compare English and Spanish settlements in the New World.
Website
Mariners' Museum and Park

Mariners' Museum: Vasco Da Gama

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, highlighting his accomplishments to European exploration. Readers will find an accompanying accounts of his voyages and a collection of the tools he and his crews used for navigating the...
Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Mapping the New World

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
[Free Registration/Login Required] Young scholars read primary source documents to solve a problem surrounding a historical question. This document-based inquiry lesson allows students study two 17th-century maps of Virginia and think...
Website
British Library

British Library:northwest Passage: Early Approaches, a Historical Account

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the early attempts to find a way through the Northwest Passage. Included are portraits and early maps of the explorers.
Lesson Plan
Louisiana Department of Education

Louisiana Doe: Louisiana Believes: Grade 8 Social Studies Units

For Teachers 8th
A grade 8 scope and sequence document with six complete units.