+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early Explorers

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explain the reasons why Europeans decided to explore and colonize the world. In this European explorers lesson, 5th graders complete a wall matrix about the explorers and write a summary about the explorer of their choice.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Navigating With Explorers

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Young scholars retrace the steps of European explorers to the New World and recreate the early exploration through online research and multimedia presentations. In this world history and technology lesson, students research early...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

European Explorers Crossword Puzzle

For Students 5th - 8th
In this European explorers crossword puzzle activity, students use the 5 clues regarding explorers to help them correctly complete the word puzzle.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Explorers

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students examine the importance of culture and economy changes that occurred due to the great explorations. In this explorations lesson, students create a list of major explorers. Students focus on one main exploration and give an oral...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

European Explorers Word Search Puzzle

For Students 5th - 6th
In this word search worksheet, students locate 15 words related to European explorers. Words include harbor, Spain, interests, and John Cabot.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early European Explorers

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders complete a variety of activities surrounding European exploration of the New World. They research one explorer and write and present an essay or script in which they portray that explorer as he makes his final report to his...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

European Explorer's Photo Journal

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students study early European explorers. They choose one to research and complete a photo journal of his explorations, which includes maps, articles, etc.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

European Explorers

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders research European Explorers lives. They create a Word Document, or slide show based on their research.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Explorers Notebook Assignment

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders select a European explorer and accompany him on his expedition. They are required to record any pertinent information that describes the explorer's journey. Each student also write a letter to the monarch evaluating the...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

'European Exploration, Conquest, and Trade

For Teachers 5th
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...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tools of the Explorers

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine the history of the European exploration of the New World. They research and create replicas of many of the tools used by the explorers including a compass, quadrant, hourglass, log and map.
+
Lesson Plan
PBS

Empire of the Bay: Who Were the Pathfinders?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Who were the men key to the Hudson's Bay Company? Read through the biographies provided through Empire of the Bay to find out.
+
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Exploring Borderlands:christopher Columbus

For Students 9th - 10th
This passage features explorer Christopher Columbus as an author documenting his travels and experiences through letters and such. Click on "Christopher Columbus Activities" for related artifacts and activities.
+
Website
Mariners' Museum and Park

Mariners' Museum: The Ages of Exploration: Age of Discovery

For Students 4th - 8th
This Age of Discovery page presents naval artifacts and explorers of the 15th century to the early 17th century. It looks at European explorers who journeyed to North and South America, the search for the Northwest Passage, and...
+
Article
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

History Is Fun: Cultures at Jamestown [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
A six-page discussion of the mix of cultures that converged in the colony of Jamestown and the challenges this presented. These cultures were the English settlers, the indigenous Powhatan people, and the African slaves. Despite many...
+
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
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.
+
Unit Plan
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Gilder Lehrman Institute: Age of Exploration

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about the exploration of the Americas. Site includes primary source documents, videos, essays, and lesson plans to help students research the exploration of the new land.
+
Handout
Other

Planet Explorers: Captain James Cook (1728 1779)

For Students 3rd - 8th
Famous for cartography and exploration of the Pacific and Antarctic, Planet Explorers provides a brief biography of Captain James Cook.
+
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.
+
Unit Plan
Other

Texas Beyond History: Uncovering Our Cultural Heritage

For Students 9th - 10th
This site explores the history and geography of Texas, from prehistoric peoples to the European and Anglo explorers to the modern day. Content is supplemented with a wealth of archeologic photographs and artwork. A teacher section full...
+
Unit Plan
Wisconsin Historical Society

American Journeys: Eyewitness Accounts Early American Exploration/settlement

For Students 9th - 10th
A collaborative project of the Wisconsin Historical Society and National History Day, this site contains over 18,000 pages of primary source, eyewitness accounts of North American exploration starting with the Vikings.
+
Graphic
Curated OER

American Journeys: Eyewitness Accounts...

For Students 9th - 10th
A collaborative project of the Wisconsin Historical Society and National History Day, this site contains over 18,000 pages of primary source, eyewitness accounts of North American exploration starting with the Vikings.