Curated OER
Early Explorers
Fourth graders examine how the early explorers from Spain and England competed in their search for riches and new lands. They read and discuss text from their book, participate in a debate, and create a poster.
Other
Voyages: Scientific Circumnavigations: Dampier
Read about the unlikely journals and observations of William Dampier, an English pirate who sailed the Pacific, making landfall in the Philippines, East Indies, and Australia. See his maps, descriptions of the Pacific, and observations...
Mariners' Museum and Park
Mariners' Museum: Henry Hudson
This resource presents an account of the life and voyages of explorer and navigator, Henry Hudson, who sailed and discovered for both the Dutch and English.
British Library
British Library: The Search for the Northwest Passage
Detailed third grade lessons help students understand what skills and knowledge were required in order to become an explorer. Includes specific lessons on John Cabot, Jacques Cartier, and Henry Hudson.
Other
Canadiana: Cabot Discoverer of North America
The full text chapter of the book "JOHN CABOT, THE DISCOVERER OF NORTH AMERICA AND HIS SON SEBASTIAN," published in 1896. A page by page reproduction.
Curated OER
Cbc: Adventurers and Mystics: Europe and the New World
From the CBC television series about Canadian history comes this summary of the English and French search for a Northwest Passage. Find out how these explorations laid the basis for their claims in the New World.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Europe's North South Conflicts Reach the Americas
An essay detailing early English and French exploration and settlement in the New World to challenge Spanish control.
PBS
Empire of the Bay: Henry Hudson
Who was Henry Hudson? What happened to him? This one-page biography from PBS provides learners with these details and more.
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum (London): The Endeavour Botanical Illustrations
A series of articles and online exhibits that gives information on the various specimens, plants and animals that were collected and illustrations were then made. Cook led the world's first scientific naval expedition to the South Pacific.
BBC
Bbc History: British History: Empire: Symbiosis: Trade and the British Empire
Article examines the factors that drove forward the expansion of the British Empire during the nineteenth century and asks whether it was desire for trade or "thirst of conquest." Archived.
University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas: Exploration and Settlement Before 1675
A great map showing the explorations of Spanish, French, and English explorers in North America between 1530 and 1675. A detailed key identifies each explorer and route. From the Perry-Castaneda Collection
Success Link
Success Link: Explorer Poetry Booklet
After a study of explorers in the Americas, students write poetry to show what they know about individual explorers. This lesson plan gives guidelines, ways to adapt the lesson, a graphic organizer, and scoring guide.
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
Loon Lake Elementary School: Sebastian Cabot
A biography of Sebastian Cabot (1484-1557), the second son of English explorer John Cabot. He sailed to North America and explored its eastern coastline. He also made a voyage to South America. This site has a Google widget that will...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Sir Humphrey Gilbert
Although Sir Humphrey Gilbert (1539-1578) was not involved directly in the Roanoke voyages, both he and members of his family such as his half-brother Sir Walter Ralegh participated in the colonization of Virginia.