Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Conquistadors: Hernán Cortes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers discover the accomplishments of Hernan Cortes. For this Exploration Age lesson, students discuss the attributes of Cortes and his role as a conquistador. High schoolers then conduct further research to participate in a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Liftoff Into Space

For Teachers K - 5th
Students explore the history of space exploration. In this history of space exploration lesson, students create a timeline of space exploration. Students watch a space video and discuss important events. Students research space...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Explorers & Early America: Columbus' Journey to Find a Western Sea Route to Asia

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders study Columbus and the route he took when he was exploring. In this social science, 3rd graders examine maps, analyze them, compare them to each other, and understand where Columbus wanted to go versus where he actually...
Lesson Plan
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Drake's West Indian Voyage 1588-1589

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners investigate several maps detailing Sir Francis Drake's voyages.  In this geography lesson, students practice reading maps and locating the precise locations of where Sir Francis Drake visited.  Learners create an...
Lesson Plan
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Act-It-Out Columbus Boat

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd
Students investigate the trip Christopher Columbus took to the new world.  In this U.S. History lesson, students create a fictional ship from cardboard and construction paper simulating the ship Columbus used to get to the New...
Lesson Plan
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Drake’s West Indian Voyage 1588-1589

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers examine the exploration routes of Sir Francis Drake. In this American exploration lesson plan, students investigate primary sources to trace the routes and contact with the natives that Sir Francis Drake experienced on...
Lesson Plan
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But Where Is It On This Modern Map? A problem-solving, mind-boggling experience!

For Teachers 4th
Trace Columbus' voyages by locating them on 21st Century maps.  Using a navigators lesson, 4th graders will examine the Age of Exploration and trace Columbus's routes accurately on laminated world maps using different maps. Note:...
Lesson Plan
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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...
Unit Plan
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European Exploration, Trade and Colonization

For Teachers 7th - 12th
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.
Interactive
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European Exploration & Discovery

For Students 9th - 12th
An online interactive world history learning exercise challenges learners to answer 11 multiple choice questions regarding the Exploration Age. They then may submit their answers to be scored.
Lesson Plan
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Trailblazers- Now and Then

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students examine and study the routes of trailblazers. In this American history instructional activity, students find a route on a map and compare that to the route of trailblazers. Students will then compare that map with a...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Marco Polo

For Students 3rd - 4th
In this history reading comprehension instructional activity, students first read a 3 paragraph text about the life of Marco Polo. Students then answer 10 multiple choice comprehension and vocabulary questions.
Worksheet
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Slope Exploration

For Students 9th
In this slope exploration worksheet, 9th graders solve and complete 18 different problems that include graphing and investigating the slope of various equations. First, they graph each pair of points and draw a line that contains both...
Worksheet
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Comparisons

For Students 3rd - 4th
In this making comparisons in history worksheet, learners read 8 statements. Students put a C after statements that refer only to Columbus's voyage. Learners put a P for those that refer only to the Pilgrims, a B for those that refer to...
Worksheet
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Discovery of Australia

For Students 5th - 6th
In this discovery of Australia worksheet, students respond to 22 various types of questions related to the discovery of Australia. First, they identify who the early Dutch Explorers were and what they found. Then, students identify James...
Worksheet
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The Travels of Marco Polo

For Students 4th - 5th
In this social studies reading comprehension worksheet, students read a page long detailed biography of Marco Polo. Students complete 12 multiple choice questions and one essay.
Lesson Plan
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Marquette and Joliet Explore the Mississippi in 1673

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students locate and name the St. Lawrence River, the five Great Lakes, and the Mississippi River on a modern map. They find Quebec, Michilimackinac, Wisconsin, and Chicago on that map. They find the same places on a 1681 map.
Lesson Plan
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Introduction to the Caribbean

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the history and culture of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. They conduct research on Christopher Columbus, create a quiz, watch a video about Cuba, and write an essay comparing and contrasting Puerto...
Lesson Plan
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Lewis and Clark for Grades PreK-2

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students read the "The Journey Begins" article and discuss why people want to discover new lands and why it is still exciting today. They are introduced to the idea that Lewis and Clark sent back discoveries to President Thomas...
Lesson Plan
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A Differentiated Way through Think Dots

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine reasons that led people to explore, identify "West" as defined following Revolutionary War, explain importance of finding natural resources, develop time line of dates and events leading up to Lewis and Clark Expedition,...
Lesson Plan
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The Mystery of Exploration

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students comprehend the history of European exploration of North America. They are introduced to basic reasearch techniques. Students focus on four explorers who visited New York State: Verrazano, Cartier, Champlian, and Hudson. They...
Lesson Plan
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The Age of Exploration

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students apply computer skills to gain further insight into early exploration. They analyze the role of each explorer and evaluate their importance. Students comprehend the Chronology of Discovery and Trade of early explorers. They...
Lesson Plan
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Christopher Columbus, The Explorer

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students brainstorm important facts about Christopher Columbus, input information into Kidspiration or Inspiration, watch United Streaming Video on Christopher Columbus and New World to gather information, research online to find...
Lesson Plan
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Columbus wants to find a shorter route to Asia

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders identify the reasons why Columbus wanted to find a shorter route to Asia. They make a timeline of the sequence of events surrounding his explorations. Students draw a map of the routes taken by early explorers around...