Unit Plan
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: Hernando Cortes 1485 1547

For Students 5th - 7th
Furnished is a brief summary of the life and explorations of Spanish explorer, Hernando Cortes. Take a look at the photos and maps of his journey of what today is called Mexico.
Unit Plan
Other

The Pirate King: Bartholomeu Dias

For Students 4th - 8th
The first European to see the stormy Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa was Bartholomew Diaz (or Dias), a courageous Portuguese sea captain and explorer. Diaz was one of the great Portuguese seamen who helped find the...
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
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Bartolomeu Dias

For Students 4th - 8th
Bartolomeu Dias, Dias also spelled Diaz (born c. 1450-died May 29, 1500, at sea, near Cape of Good Hope), Portuguese navigator and explorer who led the first European expedition to round the Cape of Good Hope (1488), opening the sea...
Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: The French, American Beginnings: 1492 1690

For Students 9th - 10th
Three maps reflecting French exploration along rivers in North America and three French explorers' accounts of the astonishing hardships they endured and the possibilities for trade with natives they opened.
Handout
Alberta Online Encyclopedia

Alberta Online Encyclopedia: Methodist Missionaries in Alberta

For Students 9th - 10th
Following the arrival of European fur traders and explorers, Christianity and religion soon followed to convert the aboriginal peoples. churches and missionaries spread throughout the prairies.
Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Rivalry Ii, American Beginnings: 1492 1690

For Students 9th - 10th
Two eighteenth-century maps and four accounts of the mutual perceptions, suspicions, and observations between Spanish and French explorers on the Gulf Coast.
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.)
Website
A&E Television

History.com: Columbus Day

For Students 9th - 10th
This collection includes a description of the life and work of Christopher Columbus, along with a discussion of why Columbus Day is a controversial holiday. Includes video.
Graphic
Curated OER

Illus., Duran, La Historia Antigua

For Students 9th - 10th
Four accounts by Native Americans of their complex responses to and reactions toward European explorers near present-day Canada and Mexico.
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.
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abcteach

Abcteach: Social Studies: History

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
[Free Registration/Login Required] A directory of history resources (games, activities, puzzles, graphics) to be used as part of elementary study of Ancient Egypt and Greece, the Middle Ages, the Revolutionary War, and other topics....
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Jacques Cartier

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical information on French explorer, Jacque Cartier. Cartier is particularly recognized for his contributions of European exploration in Canada in the 16th century.
Handout
Siteseen

Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Juan Ponce De Leon Facts

For Students 9th - 10th
Covers the life of Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer known for leading the first official European expedition to Florida in 1513.
Handout
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools

Loon Lake Elementary School: Hernando De Soto

For Students 3rd - 5th
A biography of Hernando De Soto (1500?-1542), a Spanish explorer who led the first European expedition to reach the Mississippi River. His group arrived at the river in 1541 during a search for gold. De Soto also took part in the Spanish...
Handout
Siteseen

Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Hernando De Soto Facts

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview and biographical facts on the life of Hernando de Soto, the first European to cross the Mississippi River.
Handout
Siteseen

Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo Facts

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview and biographical facts on the life of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo who led the first European expedition to explore the upper California coast.
Handout
Siteseen

Siteseen: Land of the Brave: John Cabot Facts

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview and biographical facts on the life of John Cabot, the second European to find North America (after Christopher Columbus).
Handout
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools

Loon Lake Elementary School: Jacques Cartier

For Students 3rd - 5th
A biography of Jacques Cartier (1491-1557), a French navigator. His explorations established the basis for France's claims to territory in what is now Canada. In 1535, he led the first European expedition up the St. Lawrence River. This...
Handout
Enchanted Learning

Enchanted Learning: Marco Polo

For Students 3rd - 8th
A brief account of the voyages and travels undertaken by Marco Polo who was one of the first Europeans to travel from Italy across Asia to China.

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