Overview: In lesson one the students choose an explorer who explored North America in what was later to become the United States between 1400 and 1700 and use the Internet to research that explorer.

Instructional Objectives: Students will:

1. Use an Internet search engine to find information
2. Cite Internet sources properly
3. Explain the aims, obstacles, and accomplishments of the explorer and explain the reasons Europeans chose to explore and colonize the new world (California State Standards, Social Studies: 5.2: Students trace the routes of the early explorers and describe the early explorations of the Americas)

Time Required: Two or three 45-60 minutes class periods

Advance Preparation and prerequisite knowledge/skills: Students should be able to navigate the Internet and do a simple Internet search.

Materials: Computers with Internet access.

Vocabulary: Explorer, route, accomplishment, nationality

Procedures:

1. Teacher should introduce and discuss what an explorer is, why the Europeans explored, what they were looking for, and the competition between Spain, England, Portugal, Russia, the Netherlands, Sweden, France and England for western sea routes to Asia during the age of North American exploration (1400 - 1700)
2. Teacher will help students generate questions to be answered and information needed to research an explorer's life and major accomplishments.
3. Create an Internet information notes page together and have students copy or create and reproduce a worksheet in advance..
4. Review with students how to use a search engine such as Google or Ask Jeeves for Kids to find information
5. Show students how to cite Internet sources (The Tek Mom's site http://tekmom.com/cite/index.html ) is a good resource
6. Assign each student an explorer who explored North America in what was later to become the United States between 1400 and 1700. Some examples are John Cabot, Jacques Cartier, Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo, Christopher Columbus, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, Robert de La Salle, Ponce de Leon, Hernando De Soto, Sir Francis Drake, Henry Hudson, Jean Nicollet, and Giovannida Verrazzano.

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Activities:

1. Students copy notes page that was generated during class discussion
2. Students do Internet research using the notes page
3. Use Google (http://google.com) or Ask Jeeves for Kids (http://ajkids.com) to find information
4. The links below may be used to do further research
   

   http://enchantedlearning.com/explorers/namerica.shtml Excellent, easy to read summaries with maps on each explorer
   http://kidinfo.com/American_History/Explorers.html Kid Info list of resources
   http://win.tue.nl/cs/fm/engels/discovery/northam.html Information about some of the explorers with links to other sites
   http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/explorer.html A list of research and informational sites
   http://collectionscanada.ca/2/8/h8-248-e.html Library and archives of Canada
   http://library.thinkquest.org/4034/timeline2.html A general list of resources for students written by students
   http://factmonster.com/spot/scibio3.html#a Fact Monster biographies of notable explorers

5. Fill in as much information as possible on the notes page and bookmark cites or keep track of URLs for bibliography
   

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Evaluation: Check notes page for completeness and accuracy, and /or have students with the same explorer exchange notes pages and check page for completeness and accuracy

Homework And Extensions:

1. Students use the social studies text and library books to find more information about the explorer and complete the notes page.
2. Compare the "user friendliness" of Google or Ask Jeeves for Kids

Student Samples: Click here for student sample.

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