California Academy of Science
Guess That Spice
From medical treatments to cooking, people have been using herbs and spices for thousands of years. Perform a blind smell test of household herbs and spices to engage students in learning about ancient spice trading. Research the history...
Curated OER
Age of Exploration: A Class Timeline
Fourth graders create Explorer Trading Cards and individual timelines were then created on index cards with the class timeline assembled by putting all of the index cards together. They identify explorers, where they were exploring, and...
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The Age of Early European Explorations & Conquests
Your students' world will literally take shape in this presentation, which chronicles the growing edges of the (flat) earth during European Exploration of New Worlds. Dias, da Gama, Magellean, and Columbus are key players in this game of...
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Causation-Exploration and World Trade
Students investigate spice trade. In this world history instructional activity, students identify various spices in jars and their places of origin. Students listen to a lecture on how spices came to countries in Europe. Students...
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European Exploration, Trade and Colonization
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.
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An Age of Exploration
Students investigate U.S. history by examining North American timelines. In this American exploration instructional activity, students research the events that led to Columbus finding America and participate in a jeopardy game regarding...
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Glory, God and Gold: Voyages and Adventures - America 1500
By providing an in-depth and interesting overview of European exploration in the New World, this presentation would be a wonderful complement to a unit on this topic. The 17 slide presentation is both thought-provoking and informative....
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Silk Road Assessment
In this ancient trade routes worksheet, students respond to 10 multiple choice questions and 1 essay question about the Silk Road and its significance.
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Why Europeans Explored
In this motivations behind exploration study guide worksheet, students read a brief overview pertaining to the time period in world history and then respond to a reflection question.
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Monsoon Winds to the "Land of Gold"
Students recognize environmental factors that influenced maritime trade routes and the establishment of major trading centers in classical times. They evaluate perceptions of the ancient world through ancient maps and primary source...
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Why Explore?
Pupils participate in a class discussion on why people explore. In groups, they create a list of the goods they can acquire and how they can survive if they find food while exploring. Using the Internet, they research famous explorers...
American Museum of Natural History
The Ancient City of Petra
Anyone who has seen Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade will recognize the entrance to the Nabataean city of Petra. Young archaeologists don't need horses or camels to travel through the Sig and tour this fascinating city, however. With...
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Christopher Columbus Lesson Plans
Columbus Day lesson plans are great for teaching students about geography, history, and exploration.
Anne Frank House
Who Was Anne Frank?
Set the stage for a study of The Diary of a Young Girl with a resource that includes background information about Anne Frank's early years, the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands, her Secret Annex hiding place, and her capture and...
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The Silk Road
Students research the geography of Asia from Xian to Istanbul. They explore the intricacies of ancient trade, including trade goods and policies. They study minorities within and outside of various Chinese and other Asian empires.
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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.
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The Silk Road
Students explore the Silk Road of Asia in this multi-day lesson that includes a "Silk Road roll play" and a mapping activity. This lesson can be used in a social studies or language arts classroom.
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Oral History: Interviewing Elders
Sixth graders examine oral history traditions. They interview family members about their childhoods and compare them to their own. Students use the collected information to make posters, letters, essays, or poems about their research.
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Christopher Columbus
In this Christopher Columbus worksheet, 3rd graders will read a six paragraph passage. Students will then answer seven multiple choice questions about what they have read.
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The Hunters and the Hunted: The Search for China's Past
Students discover the history of Ancient China, specifically the period beginning with the Qin Dynasty and ending with the fall of the Ming Dynasty. They study the building of the Great Wall and the defeat of the Great Khans.
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Minnesota-China Connections: Chinese Flavors
Students discuss the foods which are typical of a Chinese diet. They find recipes and observe and sample various Chinese foods. They record their opinions about what they taste and experience in a journal entry.