The Lewis and Clark Expedition (The Corps of Discovery)
History level: Middle
Materials Required: textbook, read-aloud books, VCR, video, US map, colored pencils and paper, learning log journal
Activity Time: 4 days
Concepts Taught: reading comprehension, mapping, constructing a timeline, writing
U.S. History: The Lewis and Clark Expedition (The Corps of Discovery)
Lesson Objectives
Learning objectives, the student will:Develop skills for historical and geographical analysis, including the ability to:
a) make connections between the past and the present.
c) sequence events in United States history.Use maps and pictures to:
b) locate and describe the locations of the geographic regions of North America:
Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, Coastal Range.
c) locate and identify the water features important to early history of the United
States: Mississippi River, Missouri River, Columbia River.Demonstrate knowledge of the challenges faced by the new nation by:
d) describing the major accomplishments of the first five presidents of the United
States.
Demonstrate knowledge of westward expansion and reform in America from 1801 to 1861 by:
a) describing territorial expansion and how it affected the political map of the
United States, with emphasis on the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition.Instructional GoalsThe student will:
a) be introduced to the journey of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery
through a lower grade level read-aloud book.
b) increase their knowledge of Lewis and Clark’s expedition through an
appropriate grade level read-aloud book that embellishes in more detail
the expedition of Lewis and Clark.
c) create a timeline that documents the progression of Lewis and Clark on their
journey.
d) map the progression of Lewis and Clark on their journey and identify the
geographic and climatic characteristics where implied.
e) assess their knowledge of the Lewis and Clark’s expedition through a CLOZE
and guided reading activity to support text comprehension and new vocabulary meanings.
f) write in their learning log journal about what they learned and enjoyed the
most in this lesson to continue improving their writing skills.
g) learn to connect the past to the present through information derived from the
video showing how archeologists are gathering evidence that either supports
or disclaims historical documentation about Lewis and Clark’s expedition.
Student Monitoring
The students will be divided into groups of four to construct the timeline and carry out the mapping activities for this lesson. The teacher will monitor the progress of the students and assist those who are having difficulties.
Student Assessment
The students will be required to complete the CLOZE and guided reading activities with an accuracy of 90%.
Materials Needed:
-
- The American Journey: Glencoe
- Lewis and Clark: Explorers of the American West: Steven Kroll
- Exploring with Lewis and Clark: Wanda Haan
- “The Journey of Lewis and Clark”: The History Channel
- United States map
- Overhead projector
- Colored pencils and paper
- Students’ learning log journal
