Explorers Journal & Presentation assignment
An Adventure to the New World Again
edited by Gayl Struletz
Instructions from the King and Queen
You, as an agent for the King and Queen, are hereby authorized to make a journey to the New World on behalf of our kingdom. All of our rivals are competing for land, trade and wealth. Whoever wins will be the strongest kingdom in Europe. It is imperative that you succeed.
Your mission is to claim all land for the monarchy, locate a new trading route across the ocean, some looked for the Northwest Passage, and bring back gold, silver, metals, spices, new plants, and any items deemed valuable. You will be provided with a ship, crew, and all the necessary provisions for an extensive journey to the New World. Certain precise requirements must be met if you expect to be rewarded for your achievements. In order to fulfill your contract you will make an Explorer's Notebook consisting of the attached items. Good luck on your journey and Godspeed.
The Monarchy
THE TASK
You must complete the journey and return with evidence of your findings in the new land. Create an "Explorer's Notebook" for your journey. It may be handwritten or digitally using Microsoft office, Publisher, or another site.
It should include:
4.Information about you, the captain as though you were the explorer (First person). Explain your experience, early life, and why you are exploring. (What are you looking for?) Also, write a letter to the King and Queen explaining why this is the best exploration to fund.
5. Provide some examples of weather conditions, such as: all of a sudden the sky got dark, the wind started spinning very fast, and the waves were as high as the ship. We were in the middle of a typhoon.
6.Specific information about the area(s) explored. This should include items such as plants, land, animals, minerals, agriculture, and people you met on your journey. Include sketches of samples you brought back to the King and Queen .
7.Sketch a picture of their ship. What was it called?
http://exploration.marinersmuseum.org/resources/
THE PROCESS
There are 4 main parts to this project:
Step 1: Gaining background knowledge
Step 2: Collecting information
Step 3: Writing and assembling the Explorer's Notebook
Step 4: Presenting your findings and evidence to the King and Queen
Step 1: Gaining Background Knowledge
Before collecting information on your explorer, investigate primary source documents on navigation styles and sailing ships of the late 1400's. You will read actual diaries and letters from Explorers written in the 1500's. After reading these, and write your journals and letters in the same style.
Resources
Journals
Columbus: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/columbus1.html
Da Gama:
Letters
Columbus: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/columbus2.html
Information on Sailing Ships of the Late 1400's
http://web.calstatela.edu/faculty/eviau/edit557/vespucci/sharron/edit557.htm
Step 2: Collecting Information
Each individual, pair, or group will research all 4 explorers and then discuss as a group, which of the explorers that you feel is worthy of the King and Queen’s wishes. Once you have made your decision as a group, create an Explorer's Notebook on the explorer of your choice. Each member of the team should have a role or job to help complete this task. Examples of roles would be:
1. Explorer
Task 4 - early life
Task 7- ship
- Everyone works on the letter
2. Navigator
Task 3 - map
Task 6 – Everyone works on the journal
3. Scientist
Task 9 - samples and drawings
Task 5 - weather log
4. Ambassador
Task 1 - cover
Task 2 – Public service announcement
Internet Resources on Explorers
Record your notes on paper and draw pictures as needed.
Spain
Columbus
http://sunsite.unc.edu/expo/1492.exhibit/c-Columbus/columbus.html
http://www.ducksters.com/biography/explorers/christopher_columbus.php
http://mrnussbaum.com/columbus
http://ageofex.marinersmuseum.org/index.php?type=explorer&id=12
Italy
Vespucci
http://ageofex.marinersmuseum.org/index.php?type=explorer&id=14
http://allaboutexplorers.com/explorers/vespucci/
Portugal
Da Gama
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06374a.htm
http://allaboutexplorers.com/explorers/dagama/
http://mrnussbaum.com/explorers/dagama/
http://www.ducksters.com/biography/explorers/vasco_da_gama.php
Maps of route-
http://mrnussbaum.com/explorers/routemaps/
England
Cabot
http://allaboutexplorers.com/explorers/cabot/
http://ageofex.marinersmuseum.org/index.php?type=explorer&id=74
http://mrnussbaum.com/explorers/john_cabot/
Student Resources on all of Exploration
http://mrsmintz.weebly.com/age-of-exploration.html
Step 3: Writing and Assembling the Explorer Notebook
After you have gathered all the information you need, meet with your group and share what you have learned. Listen to what the other group members have learned too. Write your part of the Notebook and work with the others so that each page in the notebook has the same style. Proof read, edit, and produce a final Explorer's Notebook.
Step 4: Presenting Your Findings to the King and Queen
Now is the time you have been waiting for. Dress up in your finest clothes representing the time period and prepare your presentation to the King and Queen. Bring your findings and evidence. Each person must present his/her own part. Perhaps you will be rewarded for your achievement and be knighted!
LEARNING ADVICE
You will be collecting a lot of information, so it is important to stay organized. Write down your main ideas, draw pictures, sketch maps or print one page from a site you visited. Keep your material in a group folder or one of your own. Use your time wisely at the computer so you can find all the necessary information in the time allotted.
EVALUATION
Your Explorer's Notebook will be graded on the following:
Is your journal complete with all the tasks as stated above?
Is the information correct and accurate?
Is the writing in your own words, neat and interesting to read?
Is the artwork complete and creative?
Your presentation to the King and Queen will be graded on the following:
Is your costume accurate as representative of the time period?
Is your part prepared well and memorized?
Is your "evidence" to give to the King and Queen is convincing?
CONCLUSION
The explorers opened the door to the vistas unknown to Europeans. They expanded knowledge of the world and because of their journeys people on both sides of the Atlantic became aware of other cultures. Lands were discovered and mapped. The European explorers made it possible for other Europeans to follow with trade and settlement. The European Age of Exploration was motivated by a desire for wealth and trade. The monarchies that sponsored the expeditions started a powerful expansionist movement that changed the world forever.
REFLECTION
Multimedia Computer Extensions:
Prezi: 7 cards
Cover (name of explorer, picture, dates lived)
Map
1. Title slide (name of explorer, years of life)
2. Early life facts
3. Home country and facts about getting money for the expedition
4. Land/region explored (map with routes)
5. Reasons explored. (What was he looking for?)
6. Outcomes of Exploration (What did he find?)
7. Bibliography (Where did you get your information?)
8. The end (your picture and crew names)
Instructions from the King and Queen
You, as an agent for the King and Queen, are hereby authorized to make a journey to the New World on behalf of our kingdom. All of our rivals are competing for land, trade and wealth. Whoever wins will be the strongest kingdom in Europe. It is imperative that you succeed.
Your mission is to claim all land for the monarchy, locate a new trading route across the ocean, some looked for the Northwest Passage, and bring back gold, silver, metals, spices, new plants, and any items deemed valuable. You will be provided with a ship, crew, and all the necessary provisions for an extensive journey to the New World. Certain precise requirements must be met if you expect to be rewarded for your achievements. In order to fulfill your contract you will make an Explorer's Notebook consisting of the attached items. Good luck on your journey and Godspeed.
The Monarchy
THE TASK
You must complete the journey and return with evidence of your findings in the new land. Create an "Explorer's Notebook" for your journey. It may be handwritten or digitally using Microsoft office, Publisher, or another site.
It should include:
- Cover should include your group name, picture of you, the explorer, and the crew roster.
- Create a public announcement alerting people to the voyage.
- The map should show the voyage of all 4 explorers on the map of continents you already started filling out.
4.Information about you, the captain as though you were the explorer (First person). Explain your experience, early life, and why you are exploring. (What are you looking for?) Also, write a letter to the King and Queen explaining why this is the best exploration to fund.
5. Provide some examples of weather conditions, such as: all of a sudden the sky got dark, the wind started spinning very fast, and the waves were as high as the ship. We were in the middle of a typhoon.
6.Specific information about the area(s) explored. This should include items such as plants, land, animals, minerals, agriculture, and people you met on your journey. Include sketches of samples you brought back to the King and Queen .
7.Sketch a picture of their ship. What was it called?
http://exploration.marinersmuseum.org/resources/
THE PROCESS
There are 4 main parts to this project:
Step 1: Gaining background knowledge
Step 2: Collecting information
Step 3: Writing and assembling the Explorer's Notebook
Step 4: Presenting your findings and evidence to the King and Queen
Step 1: Gaining Background Knowledge
Before collecting information on your explorer, investigate primary source documents on navigation styles and sailing ships of the late 1400's. You will read actual diaries and letters from Explorers written in the 1500's. After reading these, and write your journals and letters in the same style.
Resources
Journals
Columbus: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/columbus1.html
Da Gama:
Letters
Columbus: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/columbus2.html
Information on Sailing Ships of the Late 1400's
http://web.calstatela.edu/faculty/eviau/edit557/vespucci/sharron/edit557.htm
Step 2: Collecting Information
Each individual, pair, or group will research all 4 explorers and then discuss as a group, which of the explorers that you feel is worthy of the King and Queen’s wishes. Once you have made your decision as a group, create an Explorer's Notebook on the explorer of your choice. Each member of the team should have a role or job to help complete this task. Examples of roles would be:
1. Explorer
Task 4 - early life
Task 7- ship
- Everyone works on the letter
2. Navigator
Task 3 - map
Task 6 – Everyone works on the journal
3. Scientist
Task 9 - samples and drawings
Task 5 - weather log
4. Ambassador
Task 1 - cover
Task 2 – Public service announcement
Internet Resources on Explorers
Record your notes on paper and draw pictures as needed.
Spain
Columbus
http://sunsite.unc.edu/expo/1492.exhibit/c-Columbus/columbus.html
http://www.ducksters.com/biography/explorers/christopher_columbus.php
http://mrnussbaum.com/columbus
http://ageofex.marinersmuseum.org/index.php?type=explorer&id=12
Italy
Vespucci
http://ageofex.marinersmuseum.org/index.php?type=explorer&id=14
http://allaboutexplorers.com/explorers/vespucci/
Portugal
Da Gama
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06374a.htm
http://allaboutexplorers.com/explorers/dagama/
http://mrnussbaum.com/explorers/dagama/
http://www.ducksters.com/biography/explorers/vasco_da_gama.php
Maps of route-
http://mrnussbaum.com/explorers/routemaps/
England
Cabot
http://allaboutexplorers.com/explorers/cabot/
http://ageofex.marinersmuseum.org/index.php?type=explorer&id=74
http://mrnussbaum.com/explorers/john_cabot/
Student Resources on all of Exploration
http://mrsmintz.weebly.com/age-of-exploration.html
Step 3: Writing and Assembling the Explorer Notebook
After you have gathered all the information you need, meet with your group and share what you have learned. Listen to what the other group members have learned too. Write your part of the Notebook and work with the others so that each page in the notebook has the same style. Proof read, edit, and produce a final Explorer's Notebook.
Step 4: Presenting Your Findings to the King and Queen
Now is the time you have been waiting for. Dress up in your finest clothes representing the time period and prepare your presentation to the King and Queen. Bring your findings and evidence. Each person must present his/her own part. Perhaps you will be rewarded for your achievement and be knighted!
LEARNING ADVICE
You will be collecting a lot of information, so it is important to stay organized. Write down your main ideas, draw pictures, sketch maps or print one page from a site you visited. Keep your material in a group folder or one of your own. Use your time wisely at the computer so you can find all the necessary information in the time allotted.
EVALUATION
Your Explorer's Notebook will be graded on the following:
Is your journal complete with all the tasks as stated above?
Is the information correct and accurate?
Is the writing in your own words, neat and interesting to read?
Is the artwork complete and creative?
Your presentation to the King and Queen will be graded on the following:
Is your costume accurate as representative of the time period?
Is your part prepared well and memorized?
Is your "evidence" to give to the King and Queen is convincing?
CONCLUSION
The explorers opened the door to the vistas unknown to Europeans. They expanded knowledge of the world and because of their journeys people on both sides of the Atlantic became aware of other cultures. Lands were discovered and mapped. The European explorers made it possible for other Europeans to follow with trade and settlement. The European Age of Exploration was motivated by a desire for wealth and trade. The monarchies that sponsored the expeditions started a powerful expansionist movement that changed the world forever.
REFLECTION
- · What do you know now that you didn't know before?
- · What was the biggest surprise about your explorer?
- ·
- · After listening to all the presentations, which explorer do you think had the greatest achievement? Why?
Multimedia Computer Extensions:
Prezi: 7 cards
Cover (name of explorer, picture, dates lived)
Map
- · Captain Information (early life, experience)
- · Diary (reasons explored, ship, problems faced)
- · Letter
- · Bibliography
- · The end (your picture and names)
1. Title slide (name of explorer, years of life)
2. Early life facts
3. Home country and facts about getting money for the expedition
4. Land/region explored (map with routes)
5. Reasons explored. (What was he looking for?)
6. Outcomes of Exploration (What did he find?)
7. Bibliography (Where did you get your information?)
8. The end (your picture and crew names)