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Cross Curricular |
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| Early American Explorers |
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About the Site
Fifth graders wrote and illustrated this site about European exploration of the New World for a ThinkQuest competition. Students can learn the many reasons Europeans explored North America and investigate explorers chronologically or by nationality. Students will also find links to several explorers' biographies. If time permits, you may wish to send students to the site's Games pages for printable quizzes, word searches, and crossword puzzles.
What to Do
Help students navigate the site as directed. Or you may want to arrange students into four groups, one each for France, Spain, England, and Portugal. Have groups find out and report to the class what explorers from each of those countries looked for in the New World. Work as a class to create a map showing the different routes taken by explorers featured at the site. Have students create a list of things they would take back to the rulers of Europe as explorers trying to get funds for another expedition.
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About the Site
This Web site from the National Library of Canada chronicles the exploration of North America as told through the library's rare book collection. The site can be searched either chronologically or alphabetically by explorers' names. Searched chronologically, the site begins in the 15th century with excerpts from Christopher Columbus's logs and ends with Roald Amundsen's account of reaching the Northwest Passage in 1906. The site includes several lesser-known explorers as well as the more famous Columbus, Cabot, Cartier, Cook, etc. When students click an explorer's name, they will find his biography as well as portraits, photos, illustrations, and/or copies of primary sources. Within the text are links to other explorers.
What to Do
Help students navigate the site if necessary. You may want to arrange students into five groups, one for each century. Have students research selected explorers and report their findings to the class. Students may enjoy choosing one explorer and assuming his identity to write a page from a travel log. If time permits, you may wish to have students include illustrated maps or geographic observations. Discuss with students what modern-day adventurers are looking for in their explorations.
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Find Out More |
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| Catskill Mountains |
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About the Site
This Web site is an online travel guide to the Catskill Mountains. It includes a map of the area, hiking trails, local history, resources, and links. The site's history section profiles two of the region's most famous former residents: Hudson River School painter Thomas Cole (1801-1848) and essayist John Burroughs (1837-1921). You may want to preview and paraphrase the biographies to find information that is interesting or appropriate for students. Note that the slide show on the introductory page is slow to load and may not work on older computers. However the other information and photographs at the site are well worth the visit.
What to Do
Have students create a travel poster or brochure enticing people to visit the Catskills as if it were the late 1800s. Discuss with students how the Catskills influenced and inspired Thomas Cole. View the souvenir photos. You may want to have students write their own postcard as if they had visited the Catskills in its heyday.
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About the Site
The Catskill Conservation Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of the Catskill Mountain region. Their Web site includes regional news, history, photographs and artwork, as well as virtual hikes of the mountains. Invite students to learn general background information and view a map and photos of the Catskills, and then to select a virtual hike. The site also offers an art gallery that features several artists of the Catskills.
What to Do
After students view the site, ask students if they would like to visit the Catskill Mountains. Have them explain why or why not. You may wish to have students write captions for the photographs in the Photo Gallery. Some students may enjoy narrating their virtual hike. Have them describe what they can see, feel, and touch around them.
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Leveled Books |
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| Changes Over Time |
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About the Site
The American Plastics Council is a major trade association for the U.S. plastics industry. This web site provides basic information about the history and physical makeup of plastic.
Lesson Objectives
Students will use the Internet to learn about plastics. Students will see products made of plastic that are used in recreational activities. Students will think of other plastic products and make a chart showing the uses of these objects.
Suggested Additional Activities
For more information about plastics, conservation, and recycling, have students click on Glossary/Frequently Asked Questions on the top navigation bar. From this page, have them click on a question to see its answer. Have a representative from a local recycling facility speak to the class about recycling plastics. Encourage students to ask questions about how they can get involved in recycling. Have Students work in groups to write and videotape a commercial about plastics.
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About the Site
The Illinois State Museum provides this Web site that traces the changes in Illinois culture, history, and population over the past 300 years. Students can explore the lives of people who lived in and immigrated to Chicago, view window displays of the first department stores, and examine captioned photographs of objects representing different eras. Teacher resources and suggested activities are also available at this informational Web site.
What to Do
Invite students to navigate the site as suggested, or preview the site and select another path of exploration such as 1920-1950. Ask students what clues the pictures give of life in this era. Have a variety of current magazines and catalogs available. As students investigate the information on the Web site, invite them to compare and contrast the items and prices offered in catalogs today. Invite students to create a "Then and Now" poster featuring items from the past and present.
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