Lesson Plan
Curated OER

European Explorers

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders research European Explorers lives. They create a Word Document, or slide show based on their research.
Lesson Plan
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European Exploration

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders analyze key European explorers and focus on where and why they explored. They research who sponsored the explorers as well as the accomplishments of the explorers. They discuss the lasting effects of the expeditions in...
Lesson Plan
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'European Exploration, Conquest, and Trade

For Teachers 5th
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...
Lesson Plan
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Second Star To the Left and Straight On 'Till Morning" - Spreadsheet Driven Exploration of Pacific Asian Geography

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the geography of Pacific Asia. The class is divided into two groups to participate in a role-play activity where they act as European explorers. Students utilize mathematics, spreadsheet and internet technology to make...
Lesson Plan
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The Colonization of the United States

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Bring the Age of Exploration into the 21st century with this ancestry activity! Learners get a chance to explore the complex genealogy of the Spanish settlers through watching two video clips (approximately five minutes each) featuring...
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Why Europeans Explored

For Teachers 6th - 11th
In this motivations behind exploration study guide worksheet, learners read a brief overview pertaining to the time period in world history and then respond to a reflection question.
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Christopher Columbus: The Man, the Myth, the Legend

For Teachers K
Learn more about maps by examining Christopher Columbus's voyage to the New World. Kindergartners will learn about basic map skills and how to identify the compass rose, oceans, and land masses. They will also discover the purpose of...
Lesson Plan
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On the Road with Marco Polo: Marco Polo in China

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars trace Marco Polo's route into China and use the Internet to research major products fabricated in 13th century China. They discuss their findings and write a report on either: silk, porcelain, jade, lacquerware or tea.
Lesson Plan
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Christopher Columbus Who?

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students recreate a "60-minutes" interview using cue cards and historical information on the Chinese explorer Zheng He. This lesson is an excellent introduction to World History during the 1400's.
Lesson Plan
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Intro to Exploration

For Teachers 6th - 9th
In this introduction to exploration study guide worksheet, students respond to 14 short answer questions. The questions correlate to assigned readings in a textbook.
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Columbus' Perception of the New World

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
students investigate readings relating to the voyage of Columbus in 1492 and to make historical connections based on those readings. They form pairs to share insights and answer specific questions, and share information in a final class...
Lesson Plan
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Globe Skills Lesson 2: Paving the Way for Columbus

For Teachers 6th - 10th
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.
Lesson Plan
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On the Road with Marco Polo

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students follow Marco Polo's route to and from China. They explore the geography, local products, culture, and fascinating sites of those regions. They record their findings.
Lesson Plan
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Scientists and Inventors

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore human discovery by reading historical stories in class. For this inventors lesson, students define the terms scientist, invention, inventor and discovery before discussing the many differences between them. Students read...
Lesson Plan
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Developing Civilizations and the Role of Rice

For Teachers 5th
Student investigate how civilizations developed. In this rice farming lesson, 5th graders explore how rice cultivation changed through different civilizations. Students gain knowledge about different types of rice, where it's grown and...