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 town their site has become.

Concepts

ponce de leon, st. augustine, florida, early explorers, spanish colonialism, spanish exploration, map skills

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Remind participants that early explorers had few, if any, maps and that the ones they did have were much like the images provided in the packet

Classroom Considerations

• The six-page packet includes images of a 1597, a 1861 map, and a 1924 aerial map of Florida
• The maps are difficult to read; consider enlarging and projecting them

Pros

• Requires learners to apply map reading, reading comprehension, and critical thinking skills

Cons

• Several of the links are no longer valid

Common Core

RI.6.10 RI.7.1 RI.8.1