Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Henry Hudson: 400th Anniversary of Discovery

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Commemorate the discovery made by Henry Hudson and delve into the Age of Exploration.
Lesson Plan
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Controversial Columbus

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine the controversial role of Christopher Columbus. In this Christopher Columbus lesson plan, 7th graders determine what Columbus was like and what his motivations were as they research print and Internet sources.
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. 
Lesson Plan
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Early European Explorers in Arkansas

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research investigate three early European explorers in Arkansas history. They write an persuasive paragraph to convince classmates that the explorers of choice has had the greatest impact on Arkansas.
Lesson Plan
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Journal of a Virtual Expedition

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students journey with Lewis and Clark. In this literature instructional activity, students read The Journal of Augustus Pellitier-The Lewis and Clark Expedition 1804. Students keep a journal in the persona of a member of the expedition...
Lesson Plan
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Ocean Currents

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars determine how water and wind affect ocean currents. In this science investigation lesson, students follow the provided steps to enable them to consider how explorers may have used ocean currents to their advantage.
Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

What Do You Know About Astronomy

For Students 6th - 12th
Develop an understanding of the universe. Learners answer 10 multiple choice questions about several topics in astronomy. Questions contain information about the age of the universe, gravitational attraction, galaxies, planets and comets...
Lesson Plan
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History's Thermometers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Ancient coral beds give scientists clues to past ocean temperatures in much the same way that tree rings indicate historical weather conditions. High school scientists examine coral oxygen isotope ratios and plot the data as a function...
Lesson Plan
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Wisconsin Through the Ages

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research Wisconsin explorers. They analyze sources for information related to a Wisconsin explorer or missionary. They create a rough draft and edit and type a final draft including a profile of their explorer and...
Lesson Plan
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Exploring New Frontiers

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners gather information about the contributions of various explorers. Using the internet, they discover the many viewpoints of those who conquered new frontiers. They examine and compare life 200 years ago to their life today.
Lesson Plan
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Explore Your World--Geography Takes You Places

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students examine how the world around them is constantly changing. In groups, they travel between centers in their classroom to role play the role of explorers in Washington D.C. They share their experiences with their classmates and...
Lesson Plan
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This Just In: Exploreer Neets Wabanaki Indians

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students engage in a research of the Wabanaki Indians using a Social Studies textbook. Then the teacher reviews the information with the students. Then they work in groups to decipher the meaning of a primary source document and write a...
Lesson Plan
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Exploring with Cartography

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students are introduced to the topic of cartography. Using the internet, they research the paths and goals of early explorers. They create a PowerPoint presentation of the information they collected. They also develop a...
Lesson Plan
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Explorers Unit

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders complete a unit on early explorers. They develop a timeline, sing a Viking song, watch a video, compile a checklist of supplies needed for an expedition, participate in a scavenger hunt, write a letter from Christopher...
Lesson Plan
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Hey Kid, Want To Buy A Bridge?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study the building of the Brooklyn Bridge and the inventions of Thomas Alva Edison. They design an infomercial to sell a product or a service for an invention. They create an invention that improves the world and write an...
Lesson Plan
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Industrial Revolution in America: Exploring the Effects of the Heat Engine on the Growth of Cities

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the reasons for the growth of cities in North American. Using the internet, they research the causes and effects of the Industrial Revolution and determine if the growth of cities is a sign of progress. They...
Lesson Plan
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Industrial Revolution in America: Exploring the Effects of the Heat Engine on the Growth of Cities

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners research the development of the steam engines. In this US history lesson, students analyze the impact of this invention to civilization. They discuss the events leading to the growth and development of different cities.
Lesson Plan
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The Industrial Revolution

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders explore the impact of the Industrial Revolution. In this Industrialization lesson, 10th graders take notes on a SMART Board presentation and conduct research on urbanization, enclosure, assembly lines, boarding houses, and...
Lesson Plan
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Fort Wayne's Industrial Girls

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore what life was like for Fort Wayne's "industrial girls." In this industrialization lesson, 8th graders discuss the conditions that the Indiana factory girls worked in as well as their backgrounds. Students also...
Lesson Plan
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Spanish Colonials Encounter Quechan Culture

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use primary sources from the de Anza expedition of the 1770's to research colonial encounters with the Quechan people from Yuma Crossing, Arizona.
Lesson Plan
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Explorers of the New World: Learning About Major Explorers of the New World

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the principal explorers of the New World and the contributions that they made to the European knowledge about America, the development of rivalries, and the effects on Native American cultures.
Lesson Plan
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Internet Challenge Worksheet- Explorers

For Teachers 4th - 5th
In this Internet challenge worksheet, students are directed to 5 specific sites to search for "explorers." Students record the number of category and site matches they get on each site. There is only one actual research question about...
PPT
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Big Ten Explorers

For Teachers 4th - 5th
The explorers unit is always so exciting, and sometimes confusing. If your students need to know who went where and discovered what, then they will really appreciate this presentation. This  Information on 10 famous explorers is...
Worksheet
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Primary Sources: Diaz and Cortes

For Students 8th - 9th
Provided are two descriptions, both from famous Spanish explorers. Pupils read each passage and then answer 2 inference questions based on how they think each description shows what Cortes and Diaz felt about the Aztecs. Show images of...