Lesson Plan Guide

Teacher Candidate: Kaitlyn Kelly Date: 7-31-17

Grade and Topic: Grade 4, Social Studies Length of Lesson: 45 min

Mentor Teacher: Dr. Annette Cornelius School: U of Memphis

UNIT/CHAPTER OBJECTIVE/GENERALIZATION/BIG IDEA:

Students trace the routes of early explorers and describe the early explorations of the Americas.

LESSON OBJECTIVE:
Given information about early explorers, the student will be able to identify each one by completing a
fill in the blank worksheet.
STANDARDS ADDRESSED:

4.4 Trace the routes of early explorers and describe the early explorations of the Americas, including:
(C, E, G, H, P, TN)
o Christopher Columbus
o Ferdinand Magellan
o Amerigo Vespucci
o Robert de La Salle
o Hernando de Soto
o Henry Hudson
o Jacques Cartier
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and
processes using technology.
o Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes
o Create original works as a means of personal or group expression

MATERIALS:

Computers
Smartboard with laptop
Fill in the blank worksheets
Pencils

BACKGROUND and RATIONALE:
What are the key concepts for the lesson? Be able to identify different explorers
What is the critical academic language (general and technical) that must be addressed in this lesson?
Knowledge of early explorers
How do you expect to build on this lesson in subsequent lessons? The students will have to know the
explorers to later learn how they impacted the people living on the land.
Why will you need to plan differentiated activities or assessments? Any ESL students may need the
assessments read to them.
PROCEDURES AND TIMELINE:
Introduction: Ask the students if they know of any explorers. Try to start an interaction between me
and students about the early explorers. (5 minutes)
Procedures:
After introduction, students will participate in an interactive activity to get them interested in
exploring the world (10 minutes)
http://tudorexploration.rmg.co.uk/nmmflash/index.htm
Students will go to computer and create a concept map with their favorite 5 out of 7 explorers
discussed. They will need to read about all 7 explorers for the worksheet at the end. (20 minutes)
Create map using the free trial on Inspiration 9- http://www.inspiration.com/Freetrial
Title
5 explorers- minimum of 4 facts per person chosen
If they have time they can do more than 5 people or more facts
They must have pictures incorporated into their map
Their should be color changes to differentiate each person
http://explorers.mrdonn.org/index.html -all the information about the explorers
Students will print their map- example turned in as a separate file
Students will complete fill in the blank worksheet and turn it in when completed for a grade (5
minutes)- attached below
Some content comes from-
http://www.thomas.k12.ga.us/userfiles/153/Classes/776/Explorer%20Lap%20Book%20Fill%20i
n%20Blank%20Study%20Guide.pdf
http://explorers.mrdonn.org/index.html
Closure: Put students into groups. Have them discuss their concept map. Have each group decide on
which fact is the best and share with the rest of the class. Students will write a short reflection on if they
were going on an exploration, which of the seven explorers they would go with and why. (5 minutes)

ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE:
The student will have a worksheet that is fill in the blank. When it is completed they will turn it in for a grade.

MODIFICATIONS:
If there is a large amount of students that did not master the content, reteach portions that were mostly
missed on the worksheet the next day.
The advanced students will write one fact about the explorer that was discussed during the day.
Name:

Date:

Early Explorers

Christopher Columbus Henry Hudson Jacques Cartier Amerigo Vespucci

Hernando de Soto Ferdinand Magellan Robert de La Salle

Directions: Fill in the blank with the explorer that best fits the sentence.

1. America was named after ___________________.

2. In 1492, ___________________ sailed from Spain with three ships.

3. ___________________ gave Canada its name.

4. __________________ was hired to find a route to China and India.

5. The first person to explore the Mississippi River all the way to the gulf was
___________________.

6. _________________ explored La Florida.

7. ___________________ was the first man to try to sail around the world but died.
Name: Answer Key

Date:

Early Explorers

Christopher Columbus Henry Hudson Jacques Cartier Amerigo Vespucci

Hernando de Soto Ferdinand Magellan Robert de La Salle

Directions: Fill in the blank with the explorer that best fits the sentence.

1. America was named after Amerigo Vespucci.

2. In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed from Spain with three ships.

3. Jacques Cartier gave Canada its name.

4. Henry Hudson was hired to find a route to China and India.

5. The first person to explore the Mississippi River all the way to the gulf was Robert de
La Salle.

6. Hernando de Soto explored La Florida.

7. Ferdinand Magellan was the first man to try to sail around the world but died.
Criteria 1 2 3 4

Graphic Very few or none Only a few of the Almost all of All of the
images of the chosen chosen graphics the chosen chosen graphics
represent graphics represent clearly or graphics clearly very clearly
somewhat clearly
each explorer the concepts of represent the represent the
represent the
their associated concepts of their concepts of concepts of
explorer. associated explorer. their associated their associated
explorer. explorer.

Facts about The facts for very The facts for some The facts for The facts for all
the explorers few or none of the of the chosen almost all of the of the chosen
chosen explorers explorers chosen explorers very
demonstrates an demonstrates a explorers clearly
appropriate fairly appropriate clearly demonstrates
representation of representation of demonstrates an appropriate
the concept. the concept. an appropriate representation
representation of the concept.
of the concept.

Reflection The reflection does The reflection The reflection The reflection
not demonstrate demonstrates a demonstrates a demonstrates a
an understanding somewhat vague somewhat clear clear
of the explorers. understanding of understanding understanding
the explorers. of the explorers. of the explorers.