Learners identify the route of Magellan's voyage. In this map skills lesson, students use a globe to identify various coordinates where Magellan traveled.

Fifth graders investigate the journey that Magellan took around the world. Small groups conduct research on a ship that went on Magellan's voyage, write the story of their ship, and create a class dance that demonstrates the route taken...

Students perform a play about the early explorers to America.

Who's who in World History? Help your historians keep track of major figures with this World History People Review, where students match 96 world figures to the appropriate descriptions. The matching questions are grouped by historical...

Students identify ocean features and draw a profile using data points on a map. Through discussion and research, they discover the importance of oceanography and plot a profile of the ocean floor in search for a vessel full of precious...

Students complete a Venn diagram comparing the United States and Afghanistan. They research the history of the Taliban and how they relate to the United States and its foreign policy. They write a paper on possible solutions.

Fourth graders become familiar with the explorations of Hernando DeSoto. For this DeSoto lesson, 4th graders recognize the routes and territories of DeSoto's explorations. Students use primary and secondary sources and research to answer...

Fifth graders become familar with the pilgrims and first Thanksgiving through essays about important people of the time.  In this Thanksgiving lesson, 5th graders choose an important figure from the time of the Pilgrims and write a...

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. 

Students investigate various expeditions throughout history to new and/or uncharted territories. They work in groups to develop and 'produce' television news magazine segments about some of these historic expeditions.

Students plot the earthquake epicenter data on the base map of the North Atlantic ocean floor using different symbols or colors to characterize different values.

Sixth graders analyze key European explorers and focus on where and why they explored. They research who sponsored the explorers as well as the accomplishments of the explorers. They discuss the lasting effects of the expeditions in...

Young scholars create a better route through the Rocky Mountains for the Lewis and Clark expedition after tracing the original path.

Fifth graders complete a variety of activities surrounding European exploration of the New World. They research one explorer and write and present an essay or script in which they portray that explorer as he makes his final report to his...

Students brainstorm a list of famous events that took place on the sea. They write a poem or short story from the fish's perspective about the famous event they have chosen. Students share their work with the class.

Sixth graders locate and identify the major bodies of water and waterways in the United States. Through a simulation activity, they describe how early explorers would have described their surroundings. Working in groups, they create...

Middle schoolers associate explorers with specific discoveries. They apply research skills to inquire about the explorers. Students switch roles with the instructor for the class to demonstrate what they have learned.

Young scholars interact with different explorers and their motivations for exploration. They make a deck of memory cards. Students use 20 specific motivational factors in making their cards. They then play their game.

Middle schoolers complete the reading of an age appropriate piece of literature. They think critically about their reading and discuss it with a group of peers. Students make connections among their reading, their own lives, and the...

Students compare and contrast the voyages of early explorers with the space explorations of the present day. After reading the biographies of Benjamin Banneker and Timothy Livengood, students create a Venn Diagram comparing and...

High schoolers explore why the Americas attracted Europeans, why they brought enslaved Africans to their colonies, and how Europeans struggled for control of North American and the Caribbean.

Eighth graders identify conquistadors and discover how they were funded. After gathering information on Cortez and Pizarro, 8th graders create a Venn Diagram to compare the two conquistadors. They examine characteristics of the Spanish...

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.

Fourth graders study exploration of the New World. For this Exploration Age lesson, 4th graders research early explorers and create time lines that include picture, captions, and the routes of the explorers studied.