In Their
Footsteps
Following
Lewis and Clark
Along
Their Quest for the Pacific Ocean.
Paula
A. Fritz
Eunice Smith Elementary
2400 N Henry
Alton IL 62002
Promoting
Geographic Knowledge
Through Literature Workshop
July 7-19, 2002
Preview of Main Idea
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s Expedition of the Louisiana Purchase is fast approaching its 200th anniversary and is sparking new interest in these men and their journey.
Students will follow in the “footsteps” of Lewis and Clark along their route to the Pacific Ocean by using the journals from the expedition. Students will develop an understanding of the various places and regions that Lewis and Clark encountered on their expedition. Students then relate that information to a present day US Map.
Grade levels 3-5
Location, Place, Movement
14A2, 14B2, 17A2a, 17A2b
Social Studies, Math, Language Arts, Science and Fine Arts
Book resources on Lewis and Clark:
Suggested Titles:
How We Crossed the West: The Adventures of Lewis and Clark by Rosalyn Schanzer ISBN 0792267265
Lewis and Clark for Kids by Janis Herbert ISBN 1556523742
Blank US Maps
Map of Lewis and Clark’s route
Journal entries of expedition (use books and websites)
List of points to locate
Highlighters
Pencils
Paper
Objectives
Students will compare old maps of Lewis and Clark's expedition to current US Maps in order to locate the stops indicated in the journal and list. Students will highlight the route from beginning to the Pacific Ocean.
Students will calculate miles between points to find the miles traveled and the total trip miles.
Students will utilize the knowledge in the journals to identify plant and animal life discovered along the expedition. They will create drawings to compliment Lewis and Clark’ s descriptions.
Procedures
Use Lewis and Clark’s route map and list of points (see attachments) to locate their approximate location on a current blank US Map. Label the points and highlight the route to the Pacific Ocean.
Use the map scale on the Current US Map to calculate the distance in today’s standards from point to point. Find total miles.
Create a journal with drawings to match the plant and animal life that Lewis and Clark wrote about in their journals.
Rewrite parts of Lewis and Clark’s journal in your own words to relay information about the specimen that you have drawn.
Assessments
Teacher will check maps for the points listed and located. Labeling and tracing the route will also be checked.
Calculation for mileage will be checked, and approximate answers will be accepted.
Journal drawings will compliment the rewritings of Lewis and Clark’s journal.
Websites - Journal writing are found here for map activity.
www.nationalgeographic.com/lewisclark/index.html
www.corpofdiscovery.org/honor.htm
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/JOURNALS/journals.html
http://www.edgate.com/lewisandclark/
http://www.lewisclark.net/journals/index.html
Extensions
Create a “buckskin” cover for their journals
Write reports on animals and plants that were discovered
Continue back on the separate trails of Lewis and Clark.
Recalculate trail mileage if you were traveling at different speeds.
Research the Indian tribe met along the way
Try making foods that were eaten on the trip.
Research the other members of the Corp.
Plan an alternate route to the Pacific Ocean
Make a list of supplies you would have taken
Support or oppose Lewis and Clark’s trip to the US Congress.
Write a letter
to Lewis and Clark to convince them to let you join the Corp of
Discovery.
Points
to Locate on Map
Lewis And Clark’s
Expedition
Locate
1. Camp DuBois (near Wood River, IL)
2. St. Charles, MO
3. Floyd’s Bluff (near Sioux City, IA)
4. Fort Mandan (Bismarck, ND)
5. Great Falls, MT
6. Three Forks, MT
7. Rock Mt. – Bitterroot Range ID, MT
8. Clearwater River – Orofino, ID
9. Columbia River
10. Fort Clatsop (Astoria, OR)