Curated OER
Storytelling In America
Students discuss how Washington Irving is considered an important 19th century-American storyteller. They create their own version of a passage from 'The Legend' after listening to the story.
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
European Explorers
To compare how the Spanish, French, and English approached the exploration of North America, class groups examine primary source documents and become experts on one of four explorers: Francisco Coronado, Robert LaSalle, Samuel de...
Curated OER
My First Biography: Christopher Columbus Storia Teaching Guide | Scholastic.com
Sail with Christopher Columbus on a biographical reading adventure. Young explorers learn about the life of Sir Columbus as they hone their comprehension skills through guiding questions, shared reading, and fluency practice. Included in...
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Explorers of the New World
Students research explorers and explore how exploration affected the Western Hemisphere; students demonstrate competency in using multimedia encyclopedia and information software, and present PowerPoint presentation to class with two...
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A Day in the Life of a San Francisco Native Animal
Young scholars write from an animal's perspective. In this writing lesson students explore the landscape of San Francisco prior to the arrival of the explorers. Young scholars research animals indigenous to the area.
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Explorers
Students work together to examine Dutch, French, Spanish and English explorers. They create a poster of the information they collected and write about one explore they find most interesting. They share their information with the class.
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Early Explorers of America
Fifth graders examine a time line of early American explorers from England, Spain, and France. They trace exploration routes on maps and write reports about early explorers. Students view a laser disc presentation, Land of Opportunity...
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The Latino Religious Experience: People of Faith and Vision
Middle schoolers explain why Columbus said the native peoples he encountered when he reached the New World were "a people who lived in God." They explain if Latinos can still be said to be "a people who live in God." Students explain the...
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It’s a Big, Big World
Students examine the role of the explorers. In this explorers and conquistadors, students create word puzzles (Wordles) regarding the time period in history. Students conduct research regarding a particular explorer and create foldables...
Stanford University
Native Californians and the Portola Expedition
What was California like before the Spanish came? Class members discover the answer to the question using images of Native Americans and diaries of the early Spanish explorers. Scaffolded activities allow instructors to adapt the...
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Pioneer America: Legendary Westerners - Can One Person Really Make a Difference?
Fourth graders research famous Americans from the Westward Movement and complete an interview. In this Westward Movement lesson, 4th graders work in pairs to research someone who was important during this time period. They prepare and...
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Early Explorers Project
Students choose an explorer from a given list, create an original song or poem based on the life of their explorer, make puppets to represent their explorer and then present their original piece to the class while students take notes on...
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Where Did Foods Originate? (Foods of the New World and Old World)
What do papayas, peanuts, pineapples, and potatoes have in common? Why, they are foods explorers brought back to the Old World. Young researchers use the Internet to investigate how New World explorers helped change the Old World's diet....
Curated OER
“Pardon This Interruption-Columbus Has Landed!!!”
Students research, design, rehearse, record, and present a 60 second Public Service Announcement, based on Columbus' arrival in the America. The students, working in groups, utilize the design process in creating their PSA. This lesson...
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An Age of Exploration
Students investigate U.S. history by examining North American timelines. In this American exploration lesson, students research the events that led to Columbus finding America and participate in a jeopardy game regarding his adventure....
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European Explorers
Students research one of seventeen explorers before filling in a worksheet. Next, they write a song verse using the information and sing it to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." On the next day, they play a game of "Who Am I?" using...
Curated OER
Women in Math
Students explore the concept of women in mathematics. In this women mathematicians instructional activity, students research the role of women in mathematics using books and the Internet.
Curated OER
Building Bridges: Living in a Diverse Society
Learners participate in various activities that help them build esteem, and explore racism. In this multicultural lesson plan, Students increase their awareness of, and appreciation for, cultural differences and similarities. This...
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Who Was That Man?
Develop historical analysis and interpretation with your older students. They will study and analyze three given interpretations of Christopher Columbus' life, which includes significant events, his character, and the impact he made on...
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Encouraging Answers
What is the celebration of Columbus Day really about? Older learners use inquiry-based methods to find out who Columbus really was and what motivated his journeys. They take on the roles of town officials who must consider whether or not...
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Back to the Age of Exploration
Students explore world history by researching explorers of North America. In this famous explorers lesson, students research one specific explorer of their choice and identify his successes and failures by utilizing the Internet....
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5th Grade Sample Unit Sheet
Fifth graders read in any textbook, about the French, Spanish and Dutch explorations. They choose any 5 questions from the back of the chapter to answer. Students listen to the tape and follow along in "America will Be." They watch a...
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Examining Passenger Lists Lesson Plan
Learners learn about the colonists that settled in the New World. For this famous explorers lesson, students learn about famous explorers and how they used to keep diaries about their travels. Learners read passenger lists from ships...
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Ponce de Leon
Fifth graders explain that the discoveries of Ponce de Leon were important, both in and of themselves and to the destinies of Europeans and Native Americans. They write an essay highlighting two of his important discoveries.