Curated OER
Spanish Explorers and Conquistadors
Prior to taking a test of the Spanish explorers and conquistadors, have students review with this informative PowerPoint. Fifth graders will feel more prepared after using this slideshow as a guide to their studying.
Curated OER
Pedro Menéndez de Avilés
Partners examine the family tree of Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, a Spanish admiral and explorer who founded St. Augustine, Florida, and answer several questions about the text using a worksheet. After they've explored the family tree,...
Curated OER
Carta de Pedro Menéndez de Avilés
Spanish learners peek back into history by reading a copy of an original letter written in the sixteenth century by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés. To show their comprehension, they respond to a series of provided questions. For writing...
Curated OER
What They Left Behind: Early Multi-National Influences in the United States
Students examine how the European voyages of discovery influence American culture even today. They map eighteenth century Europe's impact on the United States.
Curated OER
Clash of Cultures and Marching North
Each of the 23 slides that comprise this presentation are intended to enhance or support lessons on shifts in religion and the colonization of the Americas. Students are guided through the changes in religion that ultimately lead to the...
University of Florida
Sailing to St. Augustine
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...
Curated OER
What They Left Behind: Early Multi-National Influences in the United States
Students research the impact of European voyages of discovery and colonial influence on different aspects of American culture. They access a number of online sources and reference maps to trace the influences of England, France, Holland,...
Curated OER
Effects of the Spanish Conquest
Fifth graders read and research the effects of the Spanish Conquistadors on the New World. Then they break into small groups and play a game of Jeopardy, using the facts that they have learned.
Curated OER
Conquering North America
Students create a study guide on colonization of North America. In this American Colonization lesson, students complete a chart of explorers and their conquests. Students complete a crossword puzzle using explorer facts. Students read...
Curated OER
Controversial Columbus
Seventh graders examine the controversial role of Christopher Columbus. In this Christopher Columbus lesson, 7th graders determine what Columbus was like and what his motivations were as they research print and Internet sources.
PBS
Latino Americans: Timeline of Important Dates
From 1500-2000, an interactive timeline details important events related to Latino Americans. Next, to each date are small, yet informative blurbs—some of which include videos.
Curated OER
Hernando De Soto's Trip Through South Carolina
Fourth graders become familiar with the explorations of Hernando DeSoto. In this DeSoto lesson plan, 4th graders recognize the routes and territories of DeSoto's explorations. Students use primary and secondary sources and research to...
Curated OER
South Carolina: State History
In this state history worksheet, 4th graders read two and a half pages about the history of South Carolina and complete 10 true or false questions.
Curated OER
Values and Beliefs of Manifest Destiny
Fourth graders examine the beliefs of Manifest Destiny and its role in the California Gold Rush. They analyze a painting to gather information about Manifest Destiny.
Curated OER
Cabeza de Vaca
Fourth graders observe the 1529 map of the Gulf of Mexico and describe the accuracy of the map, including the unknown landscape that Cabeza de Vaca would traverse. They read the discuss the excerpt of his journey including his treatment...
Curated OER
Arkansas
In this Arkansas reading comprehension worksheet, students read a 2-page selection regarding the state and they answer 10 true or false questions pertaining to the selection.
Curated OER
Ponce de Leon: The First Conquistador
Students learn why Queen Isabella waited nearly six years to give approval to Columbus to travel west and what event caused her to suddenly support the voyage of Columbus.
Other
Eldritch Press: Cabeza De Vaca's Adventures in the Unknown Interior of America
Read this fascinating account by Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, one of four survivors who traversed Florida and the Southwest for eight years, from 1529-1537.Read the preface which gives a background to this narrative before delving into...
University of South Florida
Exploring Florida: Hernando De Soto Arrives and Explores Florida
A description of Hernando de Soto's explorations, focusing primarily on his expedition in Florida.
University of South Florida
Florida Center for Instructional Technology: The Calusa: "The Shell Indians"
The Calusa native tribe inhabited southwestern Florida. They were the first people that the Spanish explorers wrote about in 1513. Learn about their daily life, customs, economic base, and what caused them to disappear by the late 1700's.
PBS
Pbs the West: Alvar Nunez Cabeza De Vaca
A biography of this Spanish explorer who was born in 1490. Click on "route" for a map of his travels, and click on "account" for a translation of his published account of his experiences.
Other
Florida.com: Division of Historical Resources: Archaeology: Galleon Trail
In 1733 a fleet of many ships set sail from Havana for Spain. After a bout of wind changes and bad weather most of the ships were swamped or sunk covering a span of approximately 80 miles in the Florida Keys. The shipwrecks created many...
Read Works
Read Works: The Southeast Exploring the "Land of the Flowers"
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Spanish explorers who discovered Florida, the land of flowers. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Juan Ponce De Leon Facts
Covers the life of Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer known for leading the first official European expedition to Florida in 1513.