Age of Discovery and Exploration Readings & Dinner Party
- PDF
What educators are saying
Description
This critical thinking lesson on the Age of Discovery (or Age of Exploration) features 8 short readings on major figures of the period along with maps and pictures. This includes:
- Vasco da Gama
- Ferdinand Magellan
- Francis Drake
- Christopher Columbus
- Jacques Cartier
- Zheng He
- Prince Henry the Navigator
- Queen Elizabeth I
A chart is included for students to complete based on the readings along with a map on which students draw in each explorer's route. After rotating around the room learning about each explorer and ruler, students analyze what they learned by placing each person at one of 2 dinner table templates (round and long) so that they are all seated next to someone with whom they have something in common.
There is also a Google Drive version included in which students read about each person online and then "drag-and-drop" them around a dinner table!
This portion of the lesson is very similar to this French Revolution Dinner Party.
A directions page explains several ways this lesson can be modified based on your class. Answer keys for the chart and map are also included.
This is an excellent lesson that has students moving, interacting, thinking critically, and using their artistic skills!
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