Exploring Explorers

Created by: Cheryl Phillips

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5^th Grade

Task:

You  have been selected to design a new line of trading cards.  Your job is to create the first ever Explorer Trading Cards.  These cards will look similar to baseball trading cards you have seen, but they will have questions answered about the major discoveries of:

• Francisco Coronado
• Samuel de Champlain
• Robert La Salle
• John Cabot

Process:

Naturally your card must look worthy of trading so let’s make it graphically pleasing and chalk full of useful information. Below you will find the required information that each card must have:

1. What regions did these explorers explore?

2. What country did your explorer work for?

3. Dates! Date of exploration

4. What was the purpose of the voyage?

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Let’s talk graphics….

You need to include a picture of your Explorer and a map of the region he explored.

I strongly suggest you design your rough draft on a large index card prior to your construction. Use the information attached to help you. Keep in mind that these are trading cards, not research papers so the information on each card should be brief, yet important and meaty!

Standards of Learning Connections 

STANDARD USI.4a                                                                                   

The student will demonstrate knowledge of European exploration in North America and West Africa by

a) Describing the motivations, obstacles, and accomplishments of the Spanish, French, Portuguese, and English explorations.

The student will demonstrate knowledge of European exploration in North America and West Africa by

a)     describing the motivations, obstacles, and accomplishments of the Spanish, French, Portuguese, and English explorations;

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Helpful Information

Motivating forces for exploration

·         Economic—Gold, natural resources, and trade

·         Religious—Spread of Christianity

·         Competitions for empire and belief in superiority of own culture

Obstacles to exploration

·         Poor maps and navigational tools

·         Disease/starvation

·         Fear of unknown

·         Lack of adequate supplies

Accomplishments of exploration

·         Exchanged goods and ideas

·         Improved navigational tools and ships

·         Claimed territories (see individual countries below)

Regions of North America explored by Spain, France, and England

·         Spain      Francisco Coronado claimed southwest United States for Spain.

·         France Samuel de Champlain established the French settlement of Quebec.    Robert La Salle claimed the Mississippi River Valley.

·         England John Cabot explored eastern Canada.

Regions explored by Portugal

The Portuguese made voyages of discovery along West Africa.

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Sample

Resources:

Why Explorers Explored

General Resources
Age of European Exploration

Explorers

Explorers of the New World

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