The Age of Exploration.

Introduction

You are an up and coming explorer in Europe during the 17th century! You have looked up to the early explorers your whole life, now you want to make your mark on history the way they have! The allure of new, unspoiled land with vast opportunities have intrigued you since you were young. The king has promised riches and glory for whoever discovers new lands for the crown and will finance expeditions, if the proposed expedition seems it will be successful. You want to plan your own expedition, but need the finances from the king to explore a new, unknown region of the world. Let's investigate previous explorers to find out where we want to explore and why our exploration will be a success so we can persuade the king to finance it!

Task

Watch the Crash Course video over early exploration, (slow down the speed if needed) and answer the following question in 2-3 complete sentences after.

"Why do I want to be an explorer"?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjEGncridoQ

Process

Step 1: Watch the following videos relating to the major European countries explorations.

Portugal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAZVw0D3OLM

Spain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P6FinyoTXo

France: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g2rlpnW65E&list=PL7eCedp8Yg-PdPKAuPsESvCwGptAdKBGQ

England: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT2cfxFnx_U

Step 2: Now you will research important explorers from each country. Remember to write down the what, when, where, why and how of each explorer. Click the links for the explorers provided.

Portugal:

Bartolomeu Dias: https://www.history.com/topics/exploration/bartolomeu-dias

Vasco De Gama: https://www.history.com/topics/exploration/vasco-da-gama

Spain:

Hernan Cortez: https://www.history.com/topics/exploration/hernan-cortes

Francisco Pizarro: https://www.history.com/topics/exploration/francisco-pizarro

France:

Jacques Cartier: https://www.history.com/topics/exploration/jacques-cartier

Samuel de Champlain: https://www.biography.com/people/samuel-de-champlain-9243971

England:

John Smith: https://www.nps.gov/jame/learn/historyculture/life-of-john-smith.htm

John Cabot: https://www.biography.com/people/john-cabot-9234057

Evaluation

When you complete the web quest you will partner up with one (1) other student and begin to write up your plans for exploration (the who, what, when, where, why and how). Remember, you have to convince the king to accept your plan so he will finance the trip, so be persuasive and present good evidence and facts from the resources to support and build your case! You will present your plan to the class in the form of a presentation (powerpoint, prezi, youtube video you create, podcast you create, info-graphic, brochures, etc, etc. Run by the teacher first for approval of presentation ideas).

When every group has presented, we will play jeopardy over exploration to enrich and reinforce our new knowledge.

Conclusion

Now we have looked into some explorers of the past, we can think about what these people have in common. With your partner, you will create a venn diagram of these explorers.

People explored for various reasons. Some wanted adventure, others were scientists, some for Christianity, but most were looking for riches. Whatever their reason, explorers have many things in common, they faced unknown fates, many diseases and long periods on the open ocean and for some, they faced death.

Now with your knowledge of the past explorers, you can ensure your voyage will be a success and your name will go down in the history books and one of the exploration giants!