DocsTeach
Lewis and Clark's Expedition to the Complex West
Lewis and Clark's famous expedition is a prime example of the United States' westward expansion. Aspiring historians examine maps from Lewis and Clark's journey, as well as discuss their interactions with Native American tribes. The...
Midwest Institute for Native American Studies
Introduction to Pre-Columbian Lessons
Native peoples established civilizations all over Central and North America. Introduce native civilizations with a unit that promotes discussion, reinforces map skills, enhances reading comprehension, and exposes young historians to the...
Curated OER
Sail, Sail, Sail Your Ship!
Young scholars listen to the book, Columbus Day, by Paul Showers and discuss the historical significance of Christopher Columbus. They create Columbus Day booklets, sing a Christopher Columbus song, and develop graphic organizers.
Curated OER
The Early History of Haiti
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...
Curated OER
Examining Passenger Lists Lesson Plan
Students learn about the colonists that settled in the New World. In this famous explorers lesson, students learn about famous explorers and how they used to keep diaries about their travels. Students read passenger lists from ships...
Curated OER
Canadian History
Pupils 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 primary...
Curated OER
Spanish Colonials Encounter Quechan Culture
Students use primary sources from the de Anza expedition of the 1770's to research colonial encounters with the Quechan people from Yuma Crossing, Arizona.
Curated OER
An Age of Exploration
Students investigate U.S. history by examining North American timelines. In this American exploration instructional activity, students research the events that led to Columbus finding America and participate in a jeopardy game regarding...
Curated OER
Analyzing Hurricanes Using Web and Desktop GIS
Students analyze hurricanes. In hurricanes activity, students use the Internet and GIS to analyze hurricanes. Students view the National Atlas of Maps to discuss the direction hurricanes move. Students study the wind and pressure fields...
Curated OER
Learning About Location: Charting the Path of the George W. Elder
Students acquire a working knowledge of the geographical concepts: absolute location, relative location, longitude and latitude. They analyze primary sources that shows the physical and human characteristics of the places along the 1899...
Curated OER
Tacoma Narrows Bridge
Students, in groups, create a profile of different Pacific Northwest explorers. They develop PowerPoint presentations and maps to showcase their findings.
Curated OER
'European Exploration, Conquest, and Trade
Fifth graders examine the motives, progress and results of the European exploration and conquest of Asia, Africa and the West Indies from the 15th to the 17th centuries. They use maps to trace spice routes and research the role of spices...
Curated OER
Historical Research on Explorers of Canada
Eighth graders navigate an online Atlas of Canada to research an explorer. They examine the areas that were explored.
Curated OER
Finding Latitudes and Longitudes
Students analyze Columbus' rationale for sailing west, and find the latitude and longitude of modern and ancient place names.
Curated OER
Columbus' Perception of the New World
learners investigate readings relating to the voyage of Columbus in 1492 and to make historical connections based on those readings. They form pairs to share insights and answer specific questions, and share information in a final class...
Curated OER
Mount Everest History Lesson
Students explore Mount Everest. In this exploration lesson, students read "The Top of the World: Climbing Mount Everest," by Steve Jenkins. Students then respond to discussion questions and participate in a map skills activity.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Voyagers: Challenge Activities (Theme 5)
Young voyagers face the challenge of the wide dark sea, travel with Yunmi and Halmoni, and even get trapped by the ice as they explore the reading selections offered in these enrichment activities designed for the Houghton Mifflin...
Curated OER
What Do We Learn From the Repartiation of Alaska Native Artifacts?
Students observe and evaluate evidence of Alaska Native cultural symbols and artifacts. They research historical data from a variety of primary resources, including the Harriman expedition journals, related web sites, oral accounts,...
Curated OER
How Has Transportation Changed Since the 1899 Harriman Alaska Expedition?
Students recognize modes of transportation. They research historical data from a variety of primary and secondary sources including the Harriman expedition journals, related web sites, and photographs from the expedition. Students...
Curated OER
Can We Be Both Conservationists and Consumers?
Students explore their role as consumers and conservationists and what roles they play in today's economic climate. They explore resource allocation issues. Students analyze data and draw comparisons between historical and present-day...
Curated OER
European Explorers in France, England, Portugal, and Spain
Students, in groups, research either France, Spain, Portugal, or England. They create a poster describing various aspects of their country and how their country participated in the exploration of America. They present their project to...
Curated OER
Women's History Quiz
Explore the contributions that women have made throughout American history. Here are 10 questions that take learners through time, stopping to recognize various accomplishments women have made along the way. The online activity includes...
Curated OER
Context for Exploration
Students examine watershed maps from the Columbia River. They practice using maps and create their own watershed map. They share their map with the class.
Curated OER
Columbian Contexts
Students 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.