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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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The Ladners: Researching Local Pioneers
Students research local Canadian explorers and write a report on them. In this research lesson plan, students look at local heritage and relationships that came out of those explorers.
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In the News
Fourth graders will use AlphaSmarts/Neos to create a one page newspaper in Word which features an early explorer. This lesson plan can be done entirely in the classroom. The students will perform research about the explorer prior to the...
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Great Explorers
Students research an explorer and present a multimedia presentation on the explorer. In this United States explorers lesson, students watch a video about Lewis and Clark. Students use Google Earth to study their journey and keep a KWL...
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What They Left Behind: Early Multi-National Influences in the United States
Students research the impact of European voyages of discovery and colonial influence on different aspects of American culture. They access a number of online sources and reference maps to trace the influences of England, France, Holland,...
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Exploring with Cartography
Students are introduced to the topic of cartography. Using the internet, they research the paths and goals of early explorers. They create a PowerPoint presentation of the information they collected. They also develop a...
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Outdoor Activities/Problem Solving: Nature Scavenger Hunt
Students act as young explorers on this scavenger hunt. In this early childhood lesson plan, students build problem-solving and visual discrimination skills as they search outdoors to find matching nature items.
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Theatre: Persuasive Explorers
Students act like a famous explorer. In this explorer lesson, students research an explorer and act out persuasive arguments in which that explorer might be involved.
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La Salle and the Fur Trade
Fourth graders examine the fur trade of the 1700's. In this explorers lesson, 4th graders discuss how the French explorers traded items with the Native Americans for fur. They look at the explorer La Salle and how he influenced the fur...
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Atlatl Lessons for Grade 4
Fourth graders explore the weapons of the Aboriginal people. In this fourth grade math lesson, 4th graders create charts, tables, or diagrams to represent patterns and relations. Students investigate which dart length has the...
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What Was Columbus Thinking?
Why is Christopher Columbus one of the most studied figures in history? Upper graders will investigate why Christopher Columbus traveled to the New World and what happened to the native people he encountered. They read and discuss...
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Conquering North America
Students create a study guide on colonization of North America. In this American Colonization lesson, students complete a chart of explorers and their conquests. Students complete a crossword puzzle using explorer facts. Students read...
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Time Travel
Fourth graders become familiar with the early explorers of our state. In addition, they conceptualize life during the 1800's in relation to their own personal histories and knowledge of 19th century events.
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Tacoma Narrows Bridge
Students, in groups, create a profile of different Pacific Northwest explorers. They develop PowerPoint presentations and maps to showcase their findings.
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Lift and Drag: Principles of Flight and the Soaring Imagination
Students construct models of early gas balloons and gliders. In this balloon and glider instructional activity, students create models of early gas balloons and gliders, discover how the forces of lift and drag effect aircraft in...
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Kansas Prairie Homes
Students read about settlers in Kansas and the adaptations they made in order to build different kinds of houses. In this Kansas settlers lesson plan, students participate in choral reading and retell information they learn.
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Culture Clash: New World Meets Old
Sixth graders explore the history of Christopher Columbus. In this World History lesson, 6th graders research facts about Christopher Columbus. Students write their own opinion about Columbus's background focusing on three...
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America the Bountiful
Fifth graders explore the impact exploration and colonization of North America had on human history. In this American colonies lesson, 5th graders compare differences between colonial areas. Students investigate the global impact of...
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Paul Robeson: 20th-Century Renaissance Man, Hero In Any Century
Young scholars study the life and times of actor Paul Robeson. In this social activism lesson plan, students research primary and secondary documents to create multi-media presentations featuring Paul Robeson's life and political activism.
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New York City: Passionate About Shakespeare
Young scholars explore Shakespeare as part of American culture. In this Shakespearean culture lesson, students view video clips about modern theater. Young scholars read excerpts from Shakespearean plays and other commentaries.
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Early North Carolina Exploration (warm-up activity)
Eighth graders focus on the European perspective of exploration and findings along the North Carolina coast.
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Leif Erikson Day
Leif Erikson Day lessons breathe life into social studies classroom explorations.
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Mission Accomplished
Second graders describe the impact of certain figures in United States history, including Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. They describe experiences of early American explorers and compose narratives from the perspectives of others.
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Matthew Henson: Heroic Explore Who Conquered Racism
Students explore the concept of racism. In this character building lesson, students read a biography about a hero Matthew Henson. Students discover the challenges he, and others, faced during a time of unfairness.