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...
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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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Causation-Exploration and World Trade
Students investigate spice trade. For this world history lesson, 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 complete a source...
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An Age of Exploration
Students investigate U.S. history by examining North American timelines. In this American exploration lesson, students research the events that led to Columbus finding America and participate in a jeopardy game regarding his adventure....
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'European Exploration, Conquest, and Trade
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...
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Why Europeans Explored
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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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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Trading in a Marketplace
Students complete a trade simulation in a marketplace. In the simulation, they role play the role of producer and consumer of goods and apply the concepts of supply and demand. In groups, they discover how an environment can affect the...
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Why Explore?
Students 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...
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Travelers for Trade and Global Peace
Students explore the resources in other countries. In this communities lesson, students examine characteristics of their community to those of other communities. Students examine Canada, El Salvador, and India and their natural resources.
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Spark Students Interest in Fire Safety Week
Students explore and analyze about Fire Safety Week. They assess what a fire is, how is spreads so fast, , that it is hot and dark. Each student becomes aware that fire related incidents is the number three cause of death for children in...
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Be a Food Explorer
Students discover the origins of fruits and vegetables. In this nutrition instructional activity, students research how fruits and vegetables came to the United States via trade routes. Resources are provided.
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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 instructional activity, students consider the technological advances that made Columbus's expedition possible as they complete a latitude and longitude...
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The Silk Road
Learners 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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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.