Interactive Lewis & Clark, Corps of Discovery Expedition Activity

Lewis and Clark expedition activity! Describe the role of explorers in American history! This product does just that. As students immerse themselves in the extraordinary exploration of the Corps of Discovery led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, they will truly begin to understand the perils and pitfalls that happened along this incredible journey to find the Northwest Passage. They experience what it must have been like to encounter unexpected challenges and persevere in order to complete their task.

An amazing website is paired with 21 comprehension and critical thinking questions. Students can explore at their own pace by reading and watching interesting videos from this important time period of 1803 - 1806. I developed this lesson for my 4th grade gifted and talented students as they study Idaho history, but this product is applicable to any student learning about Thomas Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase and his commissioning of the expedition to explore this new territory. Along the way, students will meet Charbonneau, Sacagawea, multiple Native American tribes such as the Lakotas, Shoshone, and Nez Perce. The guided questions challenge them to think critically and creatively and to communicate their learning through journaling.

Included in this product are important vocabulary and terms to know, a map of the Corps of Discovery route, guided questions with an answer key, and journal pages for students to synthesize their learning by writing their own journal entry from the expedition. This meets both social studies and ELA writing standards. You can use this as a whole unit activity with the guided questions and journaling becoming an evidence based assessment.

With the help of technology, this is an engaging and interesting way to teach about Lewis and Clark. Students may work on this on their own, in partners, as a whole class, or at home as an independent project. You will not be disappointed in the level of depth and complexity with product offers. Your students will not only learn about the Corps of Discovery, but they will remember this lesson. Hopefully it will excite them to continue to explore our rich history as a nation. This reminds me of the interactive webquests that students love to work on. Engage, explore, explain, elaborate, evaluate, the 5 E lesson plan fits well with this product. Home schoolers will also like this type of activity. If you have a substitute scheduled, just print off the questions and journal pages and provide them with the link to the interactive Lewis and Clark website. This is a great learning opportunity. Enjoy this rigorous and well developed lesson unit of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery! Thanks for your interest in purchasing this product. Follow me @gardengate4edu