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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It’s a Big, Big World

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students examine the role of the explorers. In this explorers and conquistadors, students create word puzzles (Wordles) regarding the time period in history. Students conduct research regarding a particular explorer and create foldables...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early Explorers

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research European explorers.  In this world history lesson, 5th graders will compare eight European explorers and identify important factual information about each.  Students will be engaged through game-play and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Treaties

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore Canadian history by investigating the First Nations. For this Aboriginal treaty lesson, 2nd graders identify the specific agreements made between European settlers and Aboriginals which caused the formation of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Trade Route By Sea To Asia

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders study a map and identify the countries of Spain, Portugal, India, China and Thailand. After a class discussion, 8th graders explain the advantages of trading over land and by sea and they explore the men who journeyed to...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Discoverers and Explorers Crossword

For Students 5th - 7th
In this world history learning exercise, learners answer 10 clues to fill a crossword puzzle with words associated with world explorers and discoverers. They work across and down with names of explorers and the places they explored.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Columbian Contexts

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore geo-political and economic contexts for the European Renaissance journeys of exploration, including those of Columbus, create cartographic symbols, and add those symbols to a print-out of Ptolemy's map.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

On the Road with Marco Polo

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students 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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Marco Polo Takes A Trip

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students identify Marco Polo and discuss why he took his trip, indicate on map routes Marco Polo took to China and back, describe challenges of traveling along Silk Road, list several interesting aspects of 13th Century Chinese culture,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African-American Iowans: History, contributions & Accomplishments.

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars explore lives of African-Americans in Iowa. Students will examine biographies and discuss perspectives of African-Americans. They will then create posters illustrating elements of those lives finally, putting on a five act...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Horse and Rider: The Pony Express in Utah

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research the Pony Express. In this Pony Express lesson, 4th graders discover the reasons behind the development of this business and the technology that ended it.
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Organizer
Curated OER

Discoverers and Explorers

For Students 4th - 5th
In this discoverers and explorers worksheet, students read short paragraphs about Christopher Columbus, Magellan, Sir Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh.
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Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Henry Hudson: 400th Anniversary of Discovery

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Commemorate the discovery made by Henry Hudson and delve into the Age of Exploration.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Colonization

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students 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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Globe Skills Lesson 2: Paving the Way for Columbus

For Teachers 6th - 10th
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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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Trekking to Timbuktu: The Search for Timbuktu

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students explore the factors that contributed to the decline of Timbuktu and the myths and misconceptions about the city. Students study the obstacles that made a journey to Timbuktu a difficult one as well as discover the first European...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Eastern Europe: Passport to Understanding

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore Eastern Europe. They analyze data on select countries. Students prepare a short oral presentation on the country they researched. They locate their country using an interactive map.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Triangular Trade and Middle Passage Review Individual Worksheet

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore the key concepts within the Colonization of America, the significance of the Triangular Trade Route, the origin of slavery, and the Middle Passage. After a short discussion and review, 8th graders orally practice...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mastering the Sea

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students investigate what life was like on early 19th century ships. They participate in a Webquest, explore the website for the movie, 'Master and Commander,' watch movie excerpts, take an interactive tour of a ship, and answer...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Black Hawk Island Hike

For Teachers K - Higher Ed
Students explore Wisconsin's natural and cultural history through hands-on exploration of Upham Woods. They are shown the basic paddling skills and they work in teams to paddle across the river on barge. Students describe cultural...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Search for the Northwest Passage

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders listen to lectures and research the motivations and history of the Spanish, French and English explorers searching for the Northwest Passage to India. They trace routes on maps and consider how these explorers helped shaped...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early Explorers

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students answer short answer questions and participate in a role play where they are explorers being interviewed. In this early explorers lesson plan, students discuss why it is beneficial to be the first one in a place.
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Organizer
Curated OER

Explorers

For Students 6th - 8th
In this Explorers study guide worksheet, students respond to 3 questions regarding Prince Henry the Navigator, Vasco da Gama, Columbus, Magellan, Cortez, Pizarro, Drake, and Cartier. Answers are included.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Journey of the Salmon

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders predict salmon migration routes and explore how dams affect the salmon migration. They explore the cultural significance of salmon to the Nez Perce people and design technology to aid salmon migration.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tacoma Narrows Bridge

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students, in groups, create a profile of different Pacific Northwest explorers. They develop PowerPoint presentations and maps to showcase their findings.