Curated OER
Impact of Exploration on Americas
In this exploration of the America's study guide worksheet, students respond to 13 short answer questions. The questions correlate to assigned readings in a textbook.
Curated OER
Effects of the Spanish Conquest
Fifth graders read and research the effects of the Spanish Conquistadors on the New World. Then they break into small groups and play a game of Jeopardy, using the facts that they have learned.
Curated OER
Arizona!! How the Heck Did I End Up Here???
Students research the historical background of the potato. In this potato research instructional activity, students cut out the important dates in potato history. Students make a timeline for the events.
Bullock Texas State History Museum
Bullock Museum: Conquistadors
Immerse in the campfire stories of the people who defined Texas. Read about the Spanish soldier-explorers who came to Texas in search of gold and glory.
PBS
Pbs: The Conquistadors
A huge website that provides a virtual field trip exploring the Spanish adventurers who quested for gold and land in the New World. The site has information on Pizarro, Orellana, Cabeza de Vaca, Cortes as well as extensive information...
Teachnology
Teachnology: Explorers Teaching Theme
Enhance teaching about explorers with this collection of resources including lesson plans, activities, interactive websites and more.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Explorers for Kids: Hernan Cortes
Investigate the biography and life of Spanish explorer and conquistador Hernan Cortes. Read about how he conquered the Aztec Empire.
PBS
Pbs: Conquistadors: Franciso Pizarro
Use the navigation at the left to click into more information on the Incas and the Spanish conquest by Francisco Pizarro.
PBS
Pbs: Conquistadors: Cabeza De Vaca
Click on "The Marvelous Adventure" to follow Cabeza de Vaca's several year journey through the Southeast and Texas. Part of a larger site on the Spanish conquest of the Western world, these pages focus on Cabeza de Vaca. Includes de...
PBS
Pbs: Conquistadors: Francisco De Orellana
This site has information on the search for El Dorado and the exploration of Amazonia by Francisco de Orellana. He travelled to the mouth of the Amazon River. The site has plenty of images, maps and video too.
A&E Television
Biography: Francisco Pizarro
A biography of 16th century Spanish explorer and conquistador Francisco Pizarro, who traveled with Vasco Nunez de Balboa and helped to discover the Pacific Ocean. Pizarro also conquered Peru and founded the city of Lima there.
Curated OER
Macmillan/mc Graw Hill: People, Places and Cultures: Grade 6 Unit 3 Lesson 4 Quiz
Take this five question quiz on Spanish and Portuguese exploreration.
BBC
Bbc: History: The Story of the Conquistadors
A well known historian tells the story of the early Spanish explorers known as "conquistadors". He discusses their motivation, what effect they had on the native American societies and much more. Archived.
University of South Florida
A Short History of Florida: Ponce De Leon: Florida's First Spanish Explorer
Read about Juan Ponce de Leon, his exploration of Florida, and his fruitless search for the "Fountain of Youth."
Other
The Conquest of North America by Hernando De Soto, Coronado and Cabeza De Vaca
Describes the conquest of North America in the 1500s by the explorers Hernando de Soto, Vasquez de Coronado, and Cabeza de Vaca. The text has many embedded links to maps showing the routes they traveled as well as to additional information.
PBS
Pbs: Hernan Cortes and the Fall of the Aztec Empire
Learn about the fall of the Aztec Empire. You can use the navigation tool at the left to click into more information on the Aztecs and the Spanish conquest of Cortes. Uses popups.
Other
Spanish Conquistadors
Learn about the history and motives of the famous Spanish Conquistadors in the New World. Features biographies, pictures, and timelines about the life of the famous European Explorers.
The History Cat
The History Cat: Rise and Fall of the Incan Empire
Describes the achievements and sophistication of the Incan Empire prior to being conquered by the Spaniards under Francisco Pizarro. Pizarro had their emperor, Atahualpa, executed after keeping him captive for months while the Inca gave...
Library of Congress
Loc: Parallel Histories: Atlantic and Gulf Coasts Settlements
Insights, primary and secondary source material and timeline on early exploration and Spanish settlement of Florida and the Atlantic Coast.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Ferdinand Magellan's Voyage Round the World
A recount by a member of the crew of the voyage of Ferdinand Magellan to the Philippines in the 16th century, where he was killed, and of the remaining voyage his crew took in the eastern oceans, then back to Spain.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Cabeza De Vaca
Explorer Cabeza de Vaca is considered the first true Chicano writer, having been born in Spain and then absorbed into the Native American culture, highlighting this new culture in his writings. Click on "Cabeza de Vaca Activities" for...
Mariners' Museum and Park
Mariners' Museum: The Ages of Exploration: Age of Discovery
This Age of Discovery page presents naval artifacts and explorers of the 15th century to the early 17th century. It looks at European explorers who journeyed to North and South America, the search for the Northwest Passage, and...
Mariners' Museum and Park
Mariners' Museum: Juan Ponce De Leon
Discover details of Ponce de Leon's expeditions in search of land for Spain in the new world. Follow the Spanish explorer's trips to present day Puerto Rico, St. Augustine, and Dry Tortugas, see a map of his journey, images featuring...
Other
Eldritch Press: Cabeza De Vaca's Adventures in the Unknown Interior of America
Read this fascinating account by Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, one of four survivors who traversed Florida and the Southwest for eight years, from 1529-1537.Read the preface which gives a background to this narrative before delving into...