Article
University of California

Uc Santa Barbara: What Brought the Europeans to America?

For Students 9th - 10th
Short essay addresses reasons that brought the Europeans to America. Covering many important points, he also provides compelling reasons and a map.
Website
Other

Radford University: Prelude to European Settlement of Virginia

For Students 9th - 10th
This site traces the early voyages of explorers from Portugal and Spain who were trying to find new resources.
Activity
Other

History Miami: History Mysteries: Student Activity Booklet [Pdf]

For Students 4th - 8th
A 20-page museum activity book on the history of South Florida. Many of the learning activities can be done on their own, as student reading materials are included in the booklet. Topics covered include the first native peoples, the days...
Handout
PBS

Empire of the Bay: Sir Martin Frobisher

For Students 9th - 10th
Read through the biography of Martin Frobisher to find out his importance in Canadian history.
Lesson Plan
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: America in Class: Early Visual Representations of the New World

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A lesson that examines how Native Americans were portrayed by artists in the sixteenth century, whose aim was to convey their appearance to a European audience, and thereby encourage investment in future New World explorations. By...
Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: Discovery and Exploration

For Students 9th - 10th
This American Memory site documents the discovery and exploration of the Americas with both manuscripts and published maps, many of which date from the European Age of Discovery. The site includes 22 map titles and descriptions, as well...
Website
Enchanted Learning

Enchanted Learning: Explorers of North and Central America

For Students 4th - 6th
This is a comprehensive guide to all the people who explored Central and North America. They are alphabetically listed with brief biographies. Some entries have links for further information or activities.
Handout
Other

Saint Stephens Indian Mission Foundation: The Shoshone People

For Students 3rd - 8th
A short history of the Shoshone people from prior to contact with European explorers up to 1870.
Handout
BBC

Bbc: History: The Story of the Conquistadors

For Students 9th - 10th
A well known historian tells the story of the early Spanish explorers known as "conquistadors". He discusses their motivation, what effect they had on the native American societies and much more. Archived.
Website
Other

Historical Museum of Southern Florida : The Spanish Colonization of Florida

For Students 3rd - 8th
Follow the early colonization of Florida. From explorers to settlers to trades between England and Spain, and finally to the emergence of the American territory of Florida.
Article
A&E Television

History.com: 10 Things You May Not Know About Christopher Columbus

For Students 9th - 10th
Check out 10 things you may not know about the explorer who sailed the ocean blue in 1492 for example, Columbus didn't set out to prove the earth was round.
Activity
Princeton University

Strait Through: Magellan to Cook & the Pacific: Ferdinand Magellan

For Students 9th - 10th
An interesting site that recounts Ferdinand Magellan's voyage and his goal of circumnavigating the globe. Included are portraits, drawings, and maps from the Princeton University Library.
Handout
Countries and Their Cultures

Countries and Their Cultures: Multicultural America: Canadian Americans

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides an overview of the history, culture, and lifestyle of Canadian Americans. (Note: Content is not the most current.)
Handout
Other

Spanish Conquistadors

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the history and motives of the famous Spanish Conquistadors in the New World. Features biographies, pictures, and timelines about the life of the famous European Explorers.
Handout
University of Calgary

Uof C: Advances in Shipbuilding and Navigation

For Students 9th - 10th
This site gives information on technical advances in Portuguese shipbuilding and navigational tools.
Website
Hudson's Bay Company

Hudson's Bay Company: Radisson and Des Groseilliers

For Students 9th - 10th
French adventurers Pierre-Esprit Radisson and Medard Chouart, Sieur des Groseilliers were the first Europeans to explore the forests of the north, negotiate treaties with the Cree, explore the Mississippi and Missouri and establish...
Handout
Other

The Norse Settlers in the New World

For Students 9th - 10th
Features a time line of the events of the Viking voyages to Canada. Identifies different events that occurred during this time period of early Viking exploration.
Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Cabrillo National Monument

For Students 9th - 10th
This website contains a wealth of information concerning the life of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the National Monument that was built in his memory, and his discovery of California.

Other popular searches