Curated OER
Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable: Haitian Frontier Fur Trapper and Explorer
Eighth graders investigate the life and contributions of Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable. They read and discuss an informational handout, define five words from the passage, conduct Internet research, and write a journal entry from the...
Alabama Department of Archives and History
La Mobile: A Case Study of Exploration and Settlement
The Le Moyne brothers, Jean-Baptiste and Pierre, were among the first explorers of the Gulf Coast. Class members read biographical information and journal entries about these men, study maps showing where the settlements they established...
Curated OER
On the Road with Marco Polo: Homecoming
Students role play as Marco Polo to detail his travels. They include the terrains, foods, religions, people and cultures that were encountered. They write a journal entry as if they were Marco Polo detailing one aspect of his travels.
Curated OER
Viking History
Students learn about the history of the Vikings by watching videos, reading books, and writing journal entries pretending they were Vikings. In this Vikings lesson plan, students also make a long ship out of a milk carton.
Curated OER
Christopher Columbus WebQuest
Fourth graders are introduced to the voyages of Christopher Columbus to the New World. In groups, they use the Internet to complete a WebQuest on what conditions were like on the ships. They write journal entries and complete a worksheet...
Curated OER
Native Americans of the Chesapeake Bay: Using Primary vs. Secondary Sources
Discover the rich Native American culture that existed at the time of early European exploration into the Chesapeake region through analysis of several primary and secondary sources.
Curated OER
European Explorers in France, England, Portugal, and Spain
Students, in groups, research either France, Spain, Portugal, or England. They create a poster describing various aspects of their country and how their country participated in the exploration of America. They present their project to...
Curated OER
The French in Texas
Fourth graders use Internet to examine early French exploration and settlement in Texas, and write journal entries from point of view of 17th Century French settler, French or Spanish explorer, or Native American whose land was taken.
Curated OER
A School Yard Journal
Fourth graders create journals with explicit descriptions of objects found on the school yard. In this descriptive writing lesson, 4th graders read some of Lewis and Clark's journal entries before they explore the school yard, then...
Curated OER
The Expedition Gets Underway
In this Lewis and Clark Expedition learning exercise, learners read for information and complete comprehension activities. In this fill in the chart, journal entry, and multiple choice learning exercise, students answer twenty questions.
Curated OER
Lewis and Clark in Your Local Park
Students read parts of the Journals of Lewis and Clark focusing on the descriptive writing of Meriwether Lewis. They examine pictures of animal and plant species, and listen to nature tapes. They simulate the experience of the explorers...
Curated OER
Exploration and Encounters
Fourth graders research explorers of the New World. In this American history lesson, 4th graders conduct internet & textbook research about various New World explorers. Students compare and contrast the sources used for...
Curated OER
We're Going on a Bison Hunt
Students examine significance of Louisiana Purchase and the journey of Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery, and compose journal entry to demonstrate their knowledge of the use of the American bison as a resource to both the Corps and...
Curated OER
Challenge to Communicate
Pupils examine the journals from Lewis and Clark and identify how they spoke without using words. They participate in a game in which they use non-verbal communication with each other. They write their own journal entries to complete...
Curated OER
Lewis and Clark
Fourth graders research the Lewis and Clark expedition and the Corps of Discovery. They explore a variety of websites and complete a WebQuest, analyze maps, and answer comprehension questions. Students also write journal entries and...
Curated OER
On the Road with Marco Polo
Young scholars 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.
Curated OER
Winter with the Mandans
For this Lewis and Clark's winter with the Mandans worksheet, students read for information and assess comprehension. In this matching, essay, and multiple choice worksheet, students answer fourteen questions.
Curated OER
The French in Texas
Fourth graders gain a broad understanding of early French exploration and settlement in Texas. They access websites imbedded in this plan. Using their notes, 4th graders work alone or with a partner to create an illustrated journal with...
Curated OER
The French in Texas
Fourth graders examine early French exploration and settlement in Texas. They read handouts, explore Internet websites and take notes, and create an illustrated journal with written entries.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Vasco Da Gama
This site from Fordham University provides a look into the thoughts of Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama by examining his journal entries during his voyage to India.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Grand Canyon: Powell's Expedition Colorado River
Part of the main feature called "Lost in the Grand Canyon," follow scientific explorer John Wesley Powell on his expedition down the Colorado River in 1869. This interactive map with its accompanying journal entries details the course of...
University of Virginia
University of Virginia: First Across the Continent: The Exploring Expedition
This 1902 work is available here from the University of Virginia. It includes illustrations and, according to the author, is taken largely from the accounts written by the explorers themselves.