Entry 5 Lewis & Clark; Responsible Explorers

This is a second grade lesson.

Lewis & Clark; Responsible Explorers

President Thomas Jefferson wanted to know everything there was to know about the Louisiana Territory which he had worked diligently to buy from France.  To learn about this vast new addition to our young country, President Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on a two year journey to explore this mysterious land.  The expedition was the first American expedition to cross what is now the western portion of the United States.  Lewis and Clark worked as co-leaders of a select group of roughly 30-40 U.S. army volunteers and explorers. This great expedition went from the Mississippi River to the West Coast and back and began in May of 1804 and ended in September 1806. Some of the duties Mr. Jefferson charged them with were to explore and map the new territory, find a practical route to the Pacific Ocean, identify plants and animals living in the area, and to record what the climate was like. (Content) There are woods and a walking path behind W.W. Evans Elementary school. We will begin our “expedition” by taking a short bus ride over to the school.  Much like Lewis and Clark began their journey on the familiar waters of the Mississippi River.  Students will take materials to use to draw maps of the surrounding area and to sketch images of plants and animals they see on the trip.  Students will be encouraged to be as accurate and descriptive in their explanations as possible and imagine that the things they are seeing are being seen for the first time.  (Creative Activity)

In whole group we will discuss the importance of Lewis and Clark’s responsibilities and how challenging it would have been for them. Standards 5.1.2.E, 5.2.2.A,5.2.2.B, 5.2.2.C,5.2.2.D, 5.3.2.D,5.3.2.F, 7.2.2.A  We will talk about responsibilities that we have i.e. homework, chores, and younger siblings.  DOK 1 What would happen if we didn’t take our responsibilities seriously?  We discuss why those responsibilities are important and why we need to make sure we meet our responsibilities.  DOK 2 What may be some consequences? (Lose recess, time out, lose allowance, etc.)DOK 3 What would have happened if Lewis and Clark had not been responsible in their duties? (Bad information about the purchase, poorly made maps, unprepared settlers, public opinion of purchase may be bad, may want to sell territory back.)  DOK 4

 

Domain 1a,1b,1f,2a,2b,3a,3b,3c,3d,3e