A Little Mystery in Your History: European Explorers
Land Ho! In this one time class, we will learn about the first European explorers to North America while piecing together clues to solve a mystery challenge!
Mrs. B, ELA Teacher, B.of Ed.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(791)
What's included
1 live meeting
40 mins in-class hoursAssessment
No formal assessment or grade will be given, but during the class, attention will be given to how much knowledge students already know about the subject matter and teaching will be adjusted accordingly.Grading
includedClass Experience
US Grade 3 - 6
For thousands of years, North America’s amazing and wonderful Indigenous People were the sole inhabitants of the continent, with thriving, sophisticated and diverse cultures. But who were the first European explorers to reach this continent? Why did they come? The answers might surprise you! Let’s dive into learning about the first European explorers to drop anchor on the shores of North America! The following topics will be covered: -North America’s First People: Our Amazing Indigenous Cultures -Time Frame of the Age of European Exploration -Major Countries in the Age of European Exploration -Reasons for European Exploration -Vessels Used By European Explorers But wait, there’s more!! A MYSTERY CHALLENGE.... Not only will students gain knowledge about North America’s Indigenous People and the Europeans during the age of exploration, but a mystery challenge related to one of the European explorers will be presented at the beginning of class. Using slides, music, and drama throughout this fun and interactive lesson, I will give various clues for our young sleuths to try their hands at solving the mystery. Learners will each be given the opportunity to discuss their theories with others in the class and will also be encouraged to ask me questions during the lesson to “follow their hunches”. All will be revealed at the end of the class, plus learners will have gained knowledge about this fascinating time of history. Let’s put a little mystery in your history!
Learning Goals
Learners will come away with knowledge in the following areas:
-Critical Thinking and Reasoning
-Respecting North American Indigenous Cultures and History
-North America’s Indigenous People and How They were the First People in North America
-Several Examples of the Sophisticated and Diverse Indigenous Cultures in North America Before the Arrival of the Europeans(Northwest Coast People, Plains People, Inuit and Dene People, Plateau People, Eastern Woodlands People, Subarctic People)
-Time Frame of the Age of European Exploration
-Major Countries in the Age of European Exploration
-Basic Reasons for European Exploration(Search for Northwest Passage, Building Empires)
-Vessels Used By European Explorers
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Parents, due to the younger age group of this class and the shortness of time to properly discuss more sensitive topics around this subject, there will be no specific mention of issues relating to genocide or specific acts of violence between the first Europeans and North America’s Indigenous Peoples. However, I will emphasize that most Europeans of that day did not properly respect the Indigenous cultures. It will also be noted that instead of realizing they were visitors to North America where the Indigenous People had already lived for many centuries with their own sophisticated and diverse cultures, sadly the European explorers claimed land and furthered empires through colonization.
Supply List
A PDF attachment for our young detectives to write down CLUES and NOTES while they solve the mystery will be posted on the classroom page prior to class. Learners may print out this sheet in black and white. Please have a pencil on hand as well.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined April, 2020
5.0
791reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
It has been my pleasure to teach Middle School students the history of North America in Canadian classrooms for over 20 years. I have a teaching degree from the University of Winnipeg where I took many courses on excellent teaching practices as it relates to Social Studies and the history of our Indigenous Peoples and the first Europeans. More recently I have taken professional development courses on the topics of Indigenous Cultures, Indigenous Stereotypes, Métis Art and Culture, and Indigenous Government and Leadership.
On a personal level, between the years 2010-2016 I travelled by a small pontoon plane to visit and work with my Sayisi Dene First Nation friends in Tadoule Lake, Manitoba. Tadoule Lake is an isolated northern community reachable by plane, snowmobile, dog team sleds, and in winter by winter road. In 1973, the Sayisi Dene moved here to return to their Barren-ground Caribou hunting life, and it is with the highest respect I share about their culture and history.
Know that when your learners take my classes, they will be taught to consider more than their own points of view, learn some interesting historical information in a fun way, and develop critical thinking and reasoning skills that are more important now than ever before.Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$12
per classMeets once
40 min
Completed by 214 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
2-6 learners per class
