Beacon Lesson Plan Library
Charting the Discovery of the Americas
Christy Clanton
Bay District Schools
Description
Charting the Discovery of the Americas teaches students how to use Microsoft Word to create a chart depicting how trade led to the exploration of different regions of the world.
Standards
Florida Sunshine State Standards
SS.A.2.2.6
The student knows how trade led to exploration in other regions of the world (e.g., the explorations of Marco Polo and the Vikings).
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.
Materials
-Maestro, Betsy and Giulio. The Discovery of the Americas. Have several copies if possible.
-Student paper and pencils
-Computer stations with Microsoft Word installed
-Printer, printing paper and ink
Preparations
1. Gather materials
2. Install software
Procedures
1. Read Betsy and Giulio Maestro's book, The Discovery of the Americas, to the class. Obtain several copies if possible for students to use in groups.
2. Student groups create a chart using paper and pencil that tells the following details about each exploration mentioned in the book: year, explorer's name, destination point, and purpose of exploration.
3. Students peer-edit their charts, making necessary revisions. Allow time for discussion and corrections.
4. Review the basics of Word. Show students how to create a table and use the spelling and grammar checks. Decide if you want the entries to be in whole sentences. Student groups type their charts in Microsoft Word.
5. Individually, students write a paragraph to attach to the charts indicating how trade and trade routes led to the exploration of the unknown world. Before writing, tell students that they will be individually assessed on this paragraph to see if they know how trade and trade routes led to the exploration of the unknown world.
Assessments
Insure that each student highlights the explorations that had trade as a primary reason for the exploration. Students write a paragraph to attach to the charts indicating how trade and trade routes led to the exploration of the unknown world.
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