While Learning Geography

Objective•Students will map out the trail

Lewis and Clark followed•Learn how to make a map key•Learn the rivers and territories Lewis and Clark explored•Learn where the journey

began and ended•Learn the obstacles the explorers faced, such as: weather and Native Americans

Pre-Assessment

1.Who knows about Lewis and Clark?2.Why did they travel the United States?3.How would you feel about traveling

1200 miles on foot and by boat?4.What do you think you would encounter

on your trip?5.What kinds of things would you need to

take with you?6.How would you map areas that have not

yet been explored?

IntroductionThomas Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark on a journey west to find a water route to the Pacific and explore the uncharted west. Lewis and Clark found over 300 species unknown to science, nearly 50 Indian tribes, and the Rockies. Lewis, Clark, and their men endured the cold winters with temperatures reaching zero degrees and a dwindling food supply. The group met Toussaint Charbonneau and his wife, Sacagawea, at their Mandan Fort. Sacagawea belonged to the Mandan tribe.

MaterialsMap of the trail Lewis & Clark exploredBlank U.S. map for each studentList of areas and bodies of water they crossedColored pencils

Learning Geography

Hand out blank maps for the students to create their own map of the exploration of Lewis and Clark.

AssignmentMap:1.The territories the U.S. was split up into

at that time: United States, Oregon Territory, and Spanish Territory

2.The rivers Lewis and Clark followed3.The mountains they crossed: Rockies

and Sierras4.Where they met Charbonneau and

Sacagawea

Create a map key using different colors to mark the different points of the exploration

Class Narrative

Perform a narrative in front of class. Pretend to be William Clark visiting the class to tell the students about his journey. Describe the expedition and what he encountered along the way. Have props such as: pictures of the Rocky Mountains, grizzly bears, and a dollar piece with a picture of Sacagawea.