Council for Economic Education
The Silk Road
The Silk Road connected the European, Middle Eastern, and Asian worlds. It also helped create the modern trade world. An analysis activity makes the importance of this Chinese innovation clear by asking participants to evaluate trades...
Curated OER
Silk Road Caravan
Young scholars determine how the geographic features of the Silk Road trade route contributed to the economic development and diffusion of culture in both Eastern and Western Civilizations.
Curated OER
Be a Food Explorer
Students discover the origins of fruits and vegetables. In this nutrition lesson plan, students research how fruits and vegetables came to the United States via trade routes. Resources are provided.
Curated OER
Traveling the Silk Road
Students take a virtual trip down the Silk Road. Using a map, they trace the location of the trade route and others that were developed later. They use different spices and goods to trace how they came to the Americas. They answer...
Curated OER
Ancient Mediterranean Lands: Rome
Seventh graders research ancient Roman civilizations, trade routes, aqueducts, and agriculture. In this Ancient Rome lesson, 7th graders view a picture of the Roman Aqueduct Pont du Gard and discuss its use in ancient Rome. Students read...
Curated OER
On the Road with Marco Polo: Crossing the Deserts of China
High schoolers explore the geography of China. They describe the geography of the Taklimakan. Students discover the best route to travel from one end of the desert to the other. They investigate how some of the local inhabitants make...
Curated OER
Let's Spice It With Pepper
Students identify and locate the areas in which pepper and spices orginated. On a map, they locate the areas and write the name of the spice that is found there. They use historical events to trace its route to the Americas. They...
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
European Explorers
To compare how the Spanish, French, and English approached the exploration of North America, class groups examine primary source documents and become experts on one of four explorers: Francisco Coronado, Robert LaSalle, Samuel de...
Curated OER
Globe Skills Lesson 2: Paving the Way for Columbus
Students explore the expedition of Christopher Columbus. In this geography skills lesson, students consider the technological advances that made Columbus's expedition possible as they complete a latitude and longitude activity.
Curated OER
It’s a Big, Big World
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...
Curated OER
American Indians Heritage Series: The Inuit's
Students become aware that people lived in America before Columbus came. For this Inuit culture lesson, students discuss lives of the Inuits. Students listen to Mama Do You Love Me, A Promise is a Promise and The Polar Bear Son: Inuit...
Curated OER
The Phoenicians
In this Phoenicians worksheet, learners read a 4-page selection about Phoenician culture and then respond to 2 short answer questions based on the selection.
Curated OER
Baltimoreans in the California Gold Rush
Eleventh graders explore the reasons for migration to California during the Gold Rush. In this American History lesson, 11th graders read letters about the opportunities and obstacles people faced. Students create a map of migration...
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Treasure Hunt - Geography and Cultural Diversity along the Journey to the West
Young scholars work in groups and use treasure cards and maps to go on a treasure hunt to several regions in China. They prepare a presentation on the geography and culture of the area that they are assigned to.
Curated OER
Columbian Contexts
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.
Curated OER
Arkansas
In this Arkansas reading comprehension worksheet, students read a 2-page selection regarding the state and they answer 10 true or false questions pertaining to the selection.