Exploring Explorers  Students will create a video in talk-show about explorers from the 15th - 17th centuries.  They will utilize books, the Alabama Virtual Library, and the Internet for reference.  Groups of students will answer who, what, when, where and why questions and then use that information to write a script for the video

Conquistadors
Included here are 4 interdisciplinary teaching units with lesson plans geared to the national standards and a variety of "Teaching Tickler" interactive activities and discussion questions for our 4 weekly adventures.

What Was Columbus Thinking?
Students will identify three stated aims of Columbus's voyages, characterize changes in Columbus's purposes in writing the documents studied, describe the native peoples Europeans encountered and the results of their contact, and compare the goals of early European exploration with the results.

Washington, DC Report  Students will utilize the Internet to complete the DC Report during their study of Colonial American history and Washington, DC.  They will demonstrate their understanding od the material through a written report using the three modes of writing.  (This report may be given in its entirety of it may be broken up into sections.)

Early American Explorers  During this project-based lesson, students will become detectives looking for information about early American explorers.  Students will have the opportunity to navigate the Internet to locate important facts about these explorers.  Students will then present their findings in the form of a slideshow presentation, timeline, and bookmark.

Columbus and the Conquistadors
(Although this series of lessons is labeled for younger children, teachers of upper elementary students will find many useful strategies, activities, and content.)  Scroll down to History and Geography:  American:  Early Exploration and Settlement to find this lesson link.  This is a 5-lesson unit on Columbus, Cortez, and Pizarro.  It will give students and understanding of how Columbus' discovery of the New World led other explorers from Spain to the New World, and the consequences, both good and bad, of their conquests.

Introduction to 1492: An Ongoing Voyage:  This exhibition examines the first sustained contacts between American people and European explorers, conquerors and settlers from 1492 to 1600.

Famous Explorers:  A list of links.

PBS - Conquistadors:  An online learning adventure.

Challenging Geography: Explorers Discover America:  In this program we learn how the story of the United States is in many ways a story of geography. The story is one of people and the land.  United Streaming.

Native America: Conflict:  The early history of the United States of America is filled with conflicts between Native Americans and European settlers. In this program, students learn how a rapidly expanding new nation affected the Native Americans who lived here for thousands of years. Students learn about the collision of these two worlds--the struggle for resources and land, the needs of a new nation, and the survival of a people.  United Streaming.

The New World Encountered:  Columbus seeking the eastern coast of India, Cabot a water passage to the Asian continent, Prince Henry a quick route along the coast of Africa – these destinations defined the age of exploration as the 1500s dawned in Europe. Three major cultures, the Native Americans, Europeans and the Africans were on the verge of encounter...  United Streaming.

Suggestions for English Language Learners: 
(E/B=Entering/Beginning, D=Developing, E=Expanding)

(E/B) Students point to different countries/continents on a globe or world map where certain explorers came from.
(E/B) Students label maps or globes showing route of Explorers.
(E/B) Students point to locations on a map of North America where specific Explorers came.
(D) Students develop a pictorial timeline to show the route an Explorer took.
(D, E) Students complete a T-chart describing reasons a specific Explorer came to North America and the effects of their exploration on the Native Americans.
(E) Students choose a North American Explorer or a Native American tribe and write a persuasive paper as to why they should be allowed to live or explore an area.
(E/B, D, E) Students work in cooperative groups to discuss English settlement of North America.
(E/B, D, E)  Students copy Venn diagram done by entire class that shows causes and effects of the French and Indian War.
(E/B, D, E)  Students trace the routes of European Explorers like Marco Polo and use a graphic organizer to display information.

© 2005 Mobile County Public Schools
 MCPSS is not responsible for the content of links beyond the initial levels
  in this site and does not officially endorse any software or other products mentioned 
on the linked sites.