Beacon Lesson Plan Library

Explorers of the New World

Pam Kennon

Description

Students research an explorer and learn how his exploration affected the Western Hemisphere. They demonstrate competency in using a multimedia encyclopedia, information software and present a PowerPoint presentation to classmates with two scanned drawings.

Standards

Florida Sunshine State Standards
LA.B.2.2.4
The student uses electronic technology, including word-processing software and electronic encyclopedias, to create, revise, retrieve, and verify information.

LA.C.3.2.3
The student speaks for specific occasions, audiences, and purposes, including conversations, discussions, projects, and informational or imaginative presentations.

SS.A.3.2.4
The student understands the post-Renaissance consequences of exploration that occurred during the Age of Discovery (e.g., European colonization in North America and British imperial efforts in India and other countries).

Florida Process Standards
Information Managers
01 Florida students locate, comprehend, interpret, evaluate, maintain, and apply information, concepts, and ideas found in literature, the arts, symbols, recordings, video and other graphic displays, and computer files in order to perform tasks and/or for enjoyment.

Effective Communicators
02 Florida students communicate in English and other languages using information, concepts, prose, symbols, reports, audio and video recordings, speeches, graphic displays, and computer-based programs.

Critical and Creative Thinkers
04 Florida students use creative thinking skills to generate new ideas, make the best decision, recognize and solve problems through reasoning, interpret symbolic data, and develop efficient techniques for lifelong learning.

Resource Managers
06 Florida students will appropriately allocate time, money, materials, and other resources.

Materials

-Computer lab or multiple computers in classroom -Multimedia encyclopedia CDs
-Microsoft PowerPoint
-Scanner
-Library Books on explorers
-Blackline map of the World
-Markers

Preparations

-Know how to use a multimedia encyclopedia for research.

-Know how to use PowerPoint.

-Teach students how to scan their work into a document.

-Prepare blackline map of the world and assessment rubric.

Procedures

To faciliatate the use of the computers and CDs, students might be paired. Give students an overview of the use of the multimedia encyclopedia and PowerPoint. Take a poll of the students to see who knows how to use PowerPoint. Try to pair these students with non users. A computer with a big screen TV can be used to introduce the software to the class.

1. Students choose from a list of Early Explorers on the New World list.

2. Each student will find the following information on his or her explorer:


Background Information
Nationality of explorer
Country explorer represented
Year during which explorer(s) traveled
Name of ship or ships ( if available)

Explorer's Goal
Main Events during Voyage or Voyages
Event #1
Event #2
Event #3

Outcome of Voyage
-Did he accomplish what he set out to do?
-How did his voyage affect the Western Hemisphere? -Did the country he explored for gain anything?
-How did his exploration affect the people he came into contact with?

3. Draw a picture of the explorer.

4. Color a map of the world, and trace the explorer's travels.

5. Work with students to create a rubric for their PowerPoint presentations. Once rubric is completed, duplicate to use to assess the final PowerPoint presentations. First slide should include scanned drawing of explorer with background information. A slide should be made on each boldface topic listed above. One slide should include scanned map of the explorer's route.

6. Students create a PowerPoint presentation from information.

7. Students present slide show on the big screen TV to the rest of the class.

8. Afterwards, students discuss how each explorer affected the New World.

Assessments

A rubric developed by the teacher and students together is used to evaluate the final product. Criteria on rubric should show levels of performance on

-speaking to an audience
-quality of technical presentation
-depth of understanding of the consequences of exploration
-the use of electronic encyclopedia as a source of information
Teacher will observe during class discussions of how trade led to explorations of other regions of the world.
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