Stanford University
Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Mapping the New World
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read primary source documents to solve a problem surrounding a historical question. This document-based inquiry lesson allows students study two 17th-century maps of Virginia and think...
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: History Now: Bartolome De Las Casas Debates the Subjugation of the Indians
[Free Registration/Login Required] Read a summary of Bartolome de Las Casas' views about the horrors of Spanish encomienda system and his arguments for proper treatment of Native Americans. Find a link to a translation of his book where...
Mariners' Museum and Park
Age of Exploration: The Great Exchange
A great description and explanation of the exchange that took place between the Old World and New World as a result of European exploration. Find examples of plants, animals, and diseases that were traded as a result of exploration and...
Other
American Journeys: French and English Approaches to Exploration [Pdf]
A lengthy lesson plan that examines French and English approaches to exploration and colonization in reference to religious factors. Using primary sources from French missionary Gabriel Sagard and Wiliam Bradford, first governor of...
Library of Congress
Loc: Portuguese Mapping the New World
The Library of Congress provides a discussion of the importance of Portugal in the "European Age of Discovery and Exploration." Includes links to related pages within this same Library of Congress site.
Cengage Learning
Literature of Discovery and Exploration
Teaching approach that examines the writings of European New World explorers from the late 1400s through the 1600s. Includes Christopher Columbus, Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, Rene Goulaine de Laudonniere, Pedro Menendez de Aviles, Fray...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Other Worlds the Voyage of Columbus
This site has a lesson plan designed for grades 9-12. The lesson plan deals with understanding the culture from which Columbus came, Renaissance Europe, and the culture he found in the New World.
Library of Congress
Loc: 1492: An Ongoing Voyage
An exhibit by the Library of Congress supplies diverse facts on the famous 1492 voyage. The exhibition first examines the encounter between the European explorers and the native people. They explore five geographical areas: The Caribbean...
Digital History
Digital History: The Significance of 1492
A good look at what is known as the Columbian Exchange, the exchange of foods, disease, and even ideas between the New World and Old World beginning with Columbus' encounter in 1492.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Images of the New World
In this lesson plan, students will consider "Images of the New World." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Other
West Virginia University: A Summary of Native American Religions
This is an excellent introduction to Native American religious beliefs and practices. Includes an explanation of the major Native American Religions and their history. Site is extensive and exclusively text-based.
University of California
Uc Santa Barbara: What Brought the Europeans to America?
Short essay addresses reasons that brought the Europeans to America. Covering many important points, he also provides compelling reasons and a map.
Mariners' Museum and Park
Exploration Through the Ages: Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo
Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo is known for exploring the California coast and claiming the land for Spain, but he did so many other things prior to that.See why Cabrillo wa so important to the Spanish in the New World.Be sure to click on...
Bartleby
Bartleby.com: Colonists/pamphlets of Land Companies
Describes an early descriptive writing form, the land pamphlet. Explains that these pamphlets were a form of travel narrative, written by those familiar with the land. The pamphlets were issued by the Virginia Company, the Masachusetts...
Library of Congress
Loc: Hispano Music & Culture of the Northern Rio Grande
A collection of essays and other information on Hispanic music and culture in the Northern Rio Grande area, with a primary focus on New Mexico and Colorado. Contains links to texts, audio files, and other research materials. Good for...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Magazine: First City in the New World?
An account about Caral, Peru that suggests there was a civilization present in Peru much earlier than was previously thought. The article describes Caral as an ancient city that was flourishing at the same time the Great Pyramids were...
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: N. Scott Momaday
Learn more about N. Scott Momaday's work when you explore the links found within this site. These links provide lesson plans and activities for "The Way to Rainy Mountain" and other works.
Other
Detroit Institute of Arts: Homepage
The Detroit Institute of Arts is the fifth-largest fine arts museum in the United States, with over 60,000 works. Individual artworks may be viewed in "Collections". Areas include Asian art, African, Oceanic, and New World art, ancient...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Renaissance Explorers
Overview of the motives behind the exploration of the "new world" during the Renaissance. Discusses the trading that took place between the "new world" and Europe and various riches offered in Mexico and Latin America.
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: The Age of Discovery
A survey of the explorers of the Renaissance period. Includes a general look at the main explorers, with links to biographies of many of them.
Mariners' Museum and Park
Mariners Museum: Exploration Through the Ages
This website focuses on exploration and offers links to Ancient Exploration, Medieval Exploration, The "Age of Discovery" and Modern Exploration. It also provides pictured links to four explorers: currently they are Christopher Columbus,...
CommonLit
Common Lit: Letter to the Treasure of Spain
A learning module that begins with "Letter to the Treasure of Spain" by Christopher Columbus, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: What Should a House Do
Site provides an extensive lesson plan that challenges students to compare early American houses to present day houses. Very comprehensive site with several activities that will assist students in understanding common features of houses....
Wisconsin Historical Society
American Journeys: Eyewitness Accounts Early American Exploration/settlement
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.