Students are curious about the motivations for exploration. They are excited and interested about the life lead by well-known early explorers and the several modern day commodities that were made possible by their discoveries. This unit allows the students to research these topics, participate in a simulation, identify authentic, time-period objects, compile a checklist of the supplies that would be needed for a certain exploration, and take part in a decision-making activity to help students realize the risks these explorers faced. Students will understand that exploration is still going on today and that they can take part in exploring the unknown. The lessons in this unit include aspects from subject areas of language arts, science, music, and technology.
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Unit Objectives:.
Students will .
1. Create a postcard to express their understanding of 1) the explorers' feelings upon finding new lands and people, and 2) the Native Americans' feelings upon having their homes overtaken by strangers.
2. Identify several reasons for exploration by creating a mini book. .
3. Create a timeline given different eras and the greatest exploration of that era.
4. Sing along to the "Explorers Song".
5. Identify and describe authentic, time-period objects in a mystery box by writing the name and the purpose of the object.
6. Compile a checklist of the supplies that would be needed for a certain exploration.
7. Create a scavenger hunt with clues/directions based on reading a gauge such as a compass.
8. List the pros and cons of a voyage in written form.
9. Write a letter of request from Christopher Columbus to the Queen requesting money for his voyage.
10. Research an assigned explorer and present their knowledge to the class in a creative way such as a letter, poem, video, drawing, song, etc.
11. Make a brochure of a place that was discovered by an explorer.
12. Compose a radio announcement informing the world about an explorer's discovery or accomplishment.
