Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping World Explorers

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners research early explorers from selected nations, routes, or time periods. After finding maps of exploration routes over water and land, they create a time line. Presentations are created in the form of three-dimensional models...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What They Left Behind: Early Multi-National Influences in the United States

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine how the European voyages of discovery influence American culture even today. They map eighteenth century Europe's impact on the United States.
Worksheet
University of Florida

Sailing to St. Augustine

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
Using a Florida map from 1597, young explorers consider the physical characteristics they would need in a site for a new colony and the resources they would need to survive. After selecting a site, class members research to discover the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early Explorers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover why explorers left their homes to explore and how they played an important part in the discovery of the New World. Students create PowerPoint presentations of a specific explorer's journey and discoveries and the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Explorers of the New World

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners research explorers and explore how exploration affected the Western Hemisphere; students demonstrate competency in using multimedia encyclopedia and information software, and present PowerPoint presentation to class with two...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early Explorers of America

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine a time line of early American explorers from England, Spain, and France. They trace exploration routes on maps and write reports about early explorers. Students view a laser disc presentation, Land of Opportunity...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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
Curated OER

What They Left Behind: Early Multi-National Influences in the United States

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

Where Did Foods Originate? (Foods of the New World and Old World)

For Teachers K - 12th
What do papayas, peanuts, pineapples, and potatoes have in common? Why, they are foods explorers brought back to the Old World. Young researchers use the Internet to investigate how New World explorers helped change the Old World's diet....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Early History of Haiti

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders make list of places Columbus explored on his first journey to Americas, locate island of Hispaniola on map, examine groups of people who have inhabited island, complete blank map and key of Hispaniola, and research early...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

European Explorer's Photo Journal

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students study early European explorers. They choose one to research and complete a photo journal of his explorations, which includes maps, articles, etc.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Historical Research on Explorers of Canada

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders study an online atlas of Canada to research an early explorer.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Department of Archives and History

La Mobile: A Case Study of Exploration and Settlement

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The Le Moyne brothers, Jean-Baptiste and Pierre, were among the first explorers of the Gulf Coast. Class members read biographical information and journal entries about these men, study maps showing where the settlements they established...
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...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Drake's West Indian Voyage 1588-1589

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate several maps detailing Sir Francis Drake's voyages.  For this geography lesson, students practice reading maps and locating the precise locations of where Sir Francis Drake visited.  Students create an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Great Explorers

For Teachers 5th - 6th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Adventure to the New World

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders role play the position of an explorer traveling to the new world. They research the explorers journey and create their own explorer's notebook. They complete different activities and then present their evidence to the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Voyage to the New World

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine the exploration of the New World. They write a descriptive account of the first encounter between Europeans and Native Americans, analyze and label maps, plot Columbus's journey on a map, and write a chapter summary.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

de Soto's Expedition: An Alternate Route

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Exploration Age lesson, 8th graders compare historical maps with new maps focusing on the route of Hernado de Soto.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Canadian History

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students conduct research on the history of early Canada. They create timelines of important dates, write biographies of Canadian explorers, consider the importance of geography and religion in Canada's settlement and examine both...
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Explorers of the Mighty North

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students access the Internet to research the journey made by Rear Admiral Peary and Matthew Alexander Henson to the North Pole. They locate the North Pole on maps and globes. They present oral reports to classmates on their research.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spanish Influence in the U.S.

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders research the role of the first Spanish conquistadors who explored the now United States. Using the internet, they gather information on different explorers and write a paper about why he is important in American history. ...