eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: Europe on the Brink of Change

For Students 11th - 12th
From a chapter on "The Americas, Europe, and Africa Before 1492," this section describes the European societies that engaged in conversion, conquest, and commerce and discusses the motives for and mechanisms of early European exploration.
Lesson Plan
Other

Bringing History Home: Communities Long Ago

For Teachers K - 1st
This Grade 1 unit explores U.S. communities in a historical context. By exploring their own community's buildings and services of both long ago and today, children in non-Native American communities are introduced to concepts of change,...
Handout
Other

Fl International University: History of English Language

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This resource presents a brief history of the English language provided by an amateur historian of English and librarian.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Meaning of America

For Students 9th - 10th
Although brief, this article points out the opposing views of the New World of America in European eyes during the exploration and early colonization period.
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Canada History and Timeline Overview

For Students 9th - 10th
A website dedicated to the history and timeline of the country of Canada including early settlers, European discovery, Samuel de Champlain, War of 1812, British Rule, and independence.
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Brazil History and Timeline Overview

For Students 9th - 10th
Study the history and timeline of the country of Brazil including early settlers, European discovery, rule of Portugal, kings, and leaders, and current events on this webpage.
Website
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Colonial Williamsburg: Numismatics: Coins and Currency in Colonial America

For Students 9th - 10th
Valuable lessons in the history of Europeans' early exploration and settlement of America can be gained by following the money used in trade. Coins and Currency exhibition lets you examine evidence of Spanish, British, Dutch, French, and...
eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: Portuguese Exploration and Spanish Conquest

For Students 11th - 12th
From a chapter on "Early Globalization: The Atlantic World, 1492-1650," this section describes the importance of Portuguese exploration of the Atlantic and Spanish exploration of the Americas.
Handout
Alberta Online Encyclopedia

Alberta Online Encyclopedia: The Land of Opportunity: Heritage Trails

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a collection of audio and text files that describes Alberta's early history as the west is opened for settlement. Included are the stories about the great migration of immigrants from all over Europe, Asia and North America who...
Handout
PBS

Empire of the Bay: Sir Martin Frobisher

For Students 9th - 10th
Read through the biography of Martin Frobisher to find out his importance in Canadian history.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: The Path to Royal Absolutism

For Students 9th - 10th
The Library of Congress presents the "Political and cultural history of France from 1498 to 1661" France's Renaissance, eight civil wars, and the Bourbons. Also click on "The Rise and Fall of the Absolute Monarchy," for history from the...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs: About All You Can Eat: A Feast at Plimouth Plantation

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A lesson in the culinary delicacies of the Plymouth Plantation in 1627. For this integrated lesson, students examine the history of foods eaten during this colonial era and prepare an actual meal based on what they have learned. This...
Primary
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Exploration of the Americas

For Students 9th - 10th
This collection uses primary sources to explain the early exploration of the Americas.
Unit Plan
Tom Richey

Tom Richey: Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment

For Students 9th - 10th
A unit in AP European History focuses on the transition toward a more scientific mindset in early modern Europe as a result of the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment. Check out the lesson plans, videos, slideshows to enhance...
Handout
PublicBookshelf Corporation

Early Colonization by the Europeans

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the beginning of the slow process of colonizing the Mississippi Region.
Website
University of Toronto (Canada)

University of Toronto: History of the English Language

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
What do you know about the origins of the English language? Explore this resource to learn more about this topic. This resource features links to several helpful sites.
Handout
Other

The Norse Settlers in the New World

For Students 9th - 10th
Features a time line of the events of the Viking voyages to Canada. Identifies different events that occurred during this time period of early Viking exploration.
Unit Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Mapping the Past

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Students will examine European world maps from the Middle Ages, the Age of Discovery, and the period of New World exploration. They will then look at maps that record the early exploration of the American West and collect present-day...
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: French and Dutch Exploration in the New World

For Students 9th - 10th
An overview of the French, Dutch, and English explorers in the late 1500's and early 1600's.
Handout
Other

The Hell Fire Caves: The Hell Fire Club

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the early beginnings of the Hell-Fire club under Sir Francis Dashwood. More information is provided in the History section of the website.
Lesson Plan
Other

Armstrong Atlantic State University: English Language

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Discover more about the history of the English language when you visit this informative site. Students and teachers will benefit from this educational resource.
Website
Art Institute of Chicago

Art Institute of Chicago: Art Access: Roccoco to Realism

For Students 9th - 10th
From the early 18th to the mid-19th century, dynamic transformations in European art mirrored turbulent political and social changes, including revolutions, imperial conquests, and the emergence of the modern industrial age....
Unit Plan
McGill University

Mc Gill Library: The Western Encounter With China, 1600 1900

For Students 9th - 10th
An fascinating online exhibit that discusses a series of topics related to how the Europeans interacted with the Chinese. Click on the graphic to start the program. Topics include "Early Accounts" "Trade and Gunboat Diplomacy," and more.
Lesson Plan
Texas State Historical Association

Texas State Historical Association: Prehistoric Texas [Pdf]

For Teachers 4th - 8th
An activity guide where students refer to the Texas Almanac, which is free to download, for information needed to complete assigned tasks. In this lesson, students are asked to research the four stages of cultural development in early...