Lewis & Clark 1804 - US History

This lesson examines the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804-1806, which explored the newly acquired Louisiana Territory. Students will learn about the goals, significant discoveries, and challenges of the journey. Activities include video analysis, timeline sorting, guided reading, and writing PEEKA paragraphs. The lesson concludes with a discussion on the long-term impact of the expedition on American history and the ethical implications of their interactions with Native American tribes.

Lesson Content and Activities:

Introduction:
Discuss the Lewis and Clark expedition and its significance in American history.
Introduce today’s keywords: Northwest Passage, Louisiana Territory, Corps of Discovery, Sacagawea.

Video Task:
Watch a video on the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Write a short summary of the places they visited and the important experiences and discoveries they made.

Timeline Activity:
Sort the timeline cards into the correct chronological order, covering key events from the start of the expedition in 1804 to their return in 1806.

Primary Source Analysis:
Read excerpts from the journals of Lewis and Clark.
Complete the worksheet focusing on their interactions with Native American tribes and the geographical discoveries they made.

Guided Reading Activity:
Complete the guided reading activity by subtitling each paragraph, writing down three key facts, and looking up any unknown words.

Postcards from the Voyage:
Imagine you are part of the expedition. Create a postcard from one of the destinations visited, mentioning transportation, distances traveled, weather, unusual sights or dangers, and a description of the picture used.

Writing Task:
Write a PEEKA paragraph explaining one way in which the Lewis and Clark expedition was influential in shaping the future.
Use the PEEKA planning sheet for guidance.

Class Discussion:
Share and discuss the PEEKA paragraphs.
Reflect on the long-term impact of the expedition and the ethical implications of their interactions with Native American tribes.

Recap Quiz:
Participate in a recap quiz to reinforce key points from the lesson.

Resources:
Video link on the Lewis and Clark expedition
Timeline cards
Primary source documents (journal excerpts)
Guided reading text
Postcard creation materials
PEEKA paragraph guidelines and planning sheet