Early European Explorers! (Part Two)

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

4

Overview

In this activity, students will organize research about their assigned European Explorer (see Early European Explorers: Part One!). Students will use the guided research paper to direct their research into key topics and ideas about an Early European Explorer.

This resource was created in partnership with Dothan City Schools.

Phase

During/Explore/Explain

Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 4

SS10.4.2
Relate reasons for European exploration and settlement in Alabama to the impact of European explorers on trade, health, and land expansion in Alabama.

Vocabulary

settlement
European exploration
culture
expansion
trade (barter)

Knowledge

Students know:

The location, purpose, and importance of European settlements including Fort Conde, Fort Toulouse, and Fort Mims in early Alabama.
The routes taken by early explorers including Juan Ponce de León, Hernando de Soto, and Vasco Núñez de Balboa.
Reasons for conflicts between Europeans and American Indians in Alabama from 1519 to 1840, including differing beliefs regarding land ownership, religion, and culture.

Skills

The students will be able to:

Explain the impact of European explorers on trade, health, and land expansion in Alabama.
Locate on maps European settlements in early Alabama, including Fort Condé, Fort Toulouse, and Fort Mims.
Trace on maps and globes, the routes of early explorers of the New World, including Juan Ponce de León, Hernando de Soto, and Vasco Núñez de Balboa.

Understanding

Students understand that:

There were specific reasons Europeans began exploring and settling in Alabama and this impacted existing settlements in Alabama.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the activity, students will be able to state the primary reasons why Early European Explorers pursued explorations to the "New World."

Students will research information to explain topics related to European Exploration, including motives, times, and impacts on the Americas.

Activity Details

1. The students will research their assigned European Explorer, using the guided research template to organize their thoughts into clear, concise research to answer key questions about Early European Exploration, including motives, impact on the native peoples/environments, and global impacts.

2. Students will conduct their research alone, with teacher assistance. Students will need to be explicitly taught that copying and pasting information from the Internet is plagiarism. They will need to put their research in their own words to create clear communication.

3. Students may conduct their research using their digital devices under teacher supervision. If digital devices aren't available, the teacher can utilize print resources available in the classroom or in the school library.

Assessment Strategies

The teacher will informally assess each student's research as the student is utilizing their research page. The teacher will help guide the student's research to key information on their assigned European Explorer, making sure the students are shifting through the information for relevant points.

For a formal assessment, please see Early European Explorers! Part Three.

Acceleration

Advanced students can find additional interesting facts to their research.

Intervention

Tier II students may be overwhelmed by the amount of research. Teachers can break the research up into individual questions or chunks, or assign a partner to help with the research.

Background / Preparation

~Each student needs a copy of the linked guided research template.

~Students need to know their assigned European Explorer (please see Early European Explorers! Part One).

Learning Activity (Before)

Early European Explorers! (Part One)

Learning Activity (During)

Early European Explorers! (Part Two)

Learning Activity (After)

Early European Explorers! (Part Three)

Age of Exploration Project Directions & Template

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1g2zMtO-w_TcCqKTApjyYaQ6mNQi7yIWloucrrB4DiQE…

Approved Date

2022-12-08

Owner (Author)

meahenderson

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