Explorers
By
Alan Haskvitz
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Haskvitz
The study of explorers can be used to stimulate a lot of student interest and has a foundation for some excellent integrated lessons plans that involve science, technology, geography, culture, history, and language arts as well as art.
Exploration in the news makes it a good tool to use for teachable moments as well as cause and effect relationships.
Here are some of the best links I have found.
A list of sites that have free printable maps
http://www.reacheverychild.com/socialstudies/geography/geography3.html
Female Explorers
http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/subject/explore.html
A short biography on a huge number of explorers from early to space exploration is covered. For elementary use.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/
A general link site to explorers with the emphasis on North America
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/explorer.html
The Conquest of North America
Spanish explorers
http://www.vaca.com/inset11.html
Canadian exploration
http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/explorer.htm
Slow loading, but worth the wait
This site has both a list of explorers and countries explored. Good links and activities.
http://www.kidinfo.com/American_History/Explorers.html
A large link site
http://www.kathimitchell.com/explorer.htm
Explorers as an integrated theme.
For grades K-8
http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/explorers.html
Mariner’s Museum
A good site with the emphasis on the ships. Don’t miss the activity section.
http://www.mariner.org/educationalad/ageofex/
An encyclopedia approach
This has explorers listed in alphabetical order with links.
http://www.42explore2.com/explorers2.htm
Explorers by period and location
Very complete site.
http://www.win.tue.nl/cs/fm/engels/discovery/index.html
European Explorers
http://www.chenowith.k12.or.us/TECH/subject/social/explore.html
Lessons and printables
http://www.proteacher.com/090065.shtml
Solar system exploration
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/educ/lessons.cfm
How to become an astronaut
http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/facts/faq12.html
Excellent site for advanced thinkers
Space exploration and the problems it represents.
http://www.challenger.org/teachers/lessons/exploration.cfm
The Unconventional Explorer
Interesting site that offers lesson ideas on a variety of lesser-known explorers as well as the usual.
http://hti.math.uh.edu/curriculum/units/2004/02/04/04.02.04.php
Ocean exploration
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/18/g35/ballardmuseum.html
Compare and Contrast Explorer traits
