European Exploration & Colonization PBL
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European Exploration & Colonization PBL

Grade 9History8 days
★★★★★
5.0 (1 rating)
The European Exploration & Colonization PBL is designed for 9th-grade history students to explore the transformative effects of European exploration between the 15th and 18th centuries. Through immersive activities such as the Navigator’s Challenge, Marketplace Exchange, and Slave Ship Simulation, students investigate key historical dynamics like the Columbian Exchange and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Learners engage critically with topics such as global trade systems, cultural exchanges, and technological advancements that enabled world exploration, culminating in analytical reflections and historical narratives.
European ExplorationColonizationColumbian ExchangeTrans-Atlantic Slave TradeGlobal TradeNavigation TechnologyCultural Exchange
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How did European exploration and colonization between the 15th and 18th centuries reshape the cultural, political, and economic landscapes of the world, and what were the far-reaching impacts of these transformations?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What were the key drivers behind European exploration during the 15th to 18th centuries?
  • How did transoceanic travel revolutionize global trade and political systems by the 18th century?
  • In what ways did the Columbian Exchange transform cultural, demographic, and environmental landscapes across the world?
  • What were the primary economic and political impacts of European colonization on indigenous societies?
  • How did the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade develop, and what were its major consequences for African societies and the Americas?
  • What roles did technological advancements play in facilitating European exploration and colonization?
  • How did the encounters between Europeans and other cultures shape global interactions and power dynamics?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Understand the motivations behind European exploration and their implications for global interaction.
  • Analyze the transformation of trade systems and the distribution of political power from the 15th to the 18th centuries.
  • Examine the effects of the Columbian Exchange on global demographics, cultures, and environments.
  • Critically evaluate the economic and political impacts of European colonization on indigenous societies.
  • Investigate the development of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and its long-term consequences on Africa and the Americas.
  • Assess the technological advancements that enabled European exploration and colonization.
  • Interpret the interactions between Europeans and other cultures and their influence on global power dynamics.

WHG ERA 5

WHG 5.1
Primary
Analyze the global impact of and significant developments caused by transoceanic travel and the linking of all the major areas of the world by the 18th century.Reason: The project focuses on European exploration and colonization, which directly involves transoceanic travel and its resultant global impacts.
WHG 5.1.1
Primary
Differentiate between the global systems of trade, migration, and political power from those in the previous era.Reason: Students will explore and analyze the changes in global trade systems and migrations due to European exploration, aligning with this standard.
WHG 5.2.1
Primary
Explain the demographic, environmental, and political consequences of European oceanic travel and conquest.Reason: The project examines the impacts of the Columbian Exchange and other demographic shifts from European conquest, satisfying this standard.
WHG 5.2.2
Primary
Analyze the causes and development of the Atlantic trade system and its consequences, including the capture and sale of Africans and the rise of slave resistance in the New World.Reason: The inquiry framework includes a deep dive into the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and its societal impacts, fulfilling the criteria of this standard.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

A Day on the High Seas

Students receive a mysterious package containing replicas of navigational tools and a ship's log, challenging them to chart a course to the 'New World.' This entry event immerses them in the navigation technology and decision-making processes of the 15th century, sparking curiosity about global exploration.

The Columbian Exchange Fair

Transform the classroom into a bustling marketplace simulating the Columbian Exchange. With aroma-rich spices, strange plants, and livestock miniatures on display, students must barter and trade, understanding the profound effects of this exchange on global demographics and environments.

Slave Ship Simulation Experience

An immersive experience simulates the conditions aboard a slave ship during the Middle Passage. Students reflect on this journey's emotional and physical costs, fostering discussions about the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade's broader impact, resistance, and survival stories.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Navigator's Challenge

Students explore the navigational tools and techniques of 15th-century explorers, using the provided replicas to simulate charting a course to the New World.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Receive and inspect a mysterious package containing replicas of nautical tools.
2. Learn about the history and use of each navigational tool.
3. Work in teams to chart a course using the tools to reach a designated location, such as the New World.
4. Present the course plotted to the class with explanations of each tool's use.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA plotted course to the New World displayed on a map, complete with annotations on tool usage.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with WHG 5.1, focusing on transoceanic travel and its global impacts.
Activity 2

The Marketplace Exchange

Transform the classroom into a Columbian Exchange fair where students barter and experience the exchange of goods, learning about its global effects.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research various goods exchanged during the Columbian Exchange, such as spices, plants, and livestock.
2. Create or bring replicas or representations of these goods for the classroom fair.
3. Participate in a classroom fair, bartering and trading goods with peers.
4. Reflect on the experience and discuss the demographic, cultural, and environmental impacts of these exchanges.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written reflection piece on the personal experience of the fair and the broader implications of the Columbian Exchange.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with WHG 5.2.1 by explaining demographic, environmental, and political consequences.
Activity 3

Middle Passage Narrative

Students engage in a reflective experience of the conditions aboard a slave ship, analyzing personal narratives to understand broader impacts of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Participate in a simulated slave ship experience, reflecting on emotional and physical impacts.
2. Research personal narratives of individuals who survived the Middle Passage.
3. Write a narrative from the perspective of a historical figure or imagined character based on factual research.
4. Share narratives and discuss themes of resistance, survival, and societal impact.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA historical narrative detailing the Middle Passage experience, demonstrating understanding of slave trade impacts.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with WHG 5.2.2 by analyzing the development and societal impacts of the Atlantic trade system.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Exploration & Colonization Assessment Rubric

Category 1

Historical Understanding

Assess students' grasp of historical events, significance, and their ability to analyze causes and effects in the context of European exploration and colonization.
Criterion 1

Event Analysis

Evaluate students' ability to analyze historical events, their causes, and their impacts.

Exemplary
20 Points

Provides a thorough analysis of key historical events, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of their causes and impacts. Integrates multiple perspectives and rich contextual details.

Proficient
14 Points

Presents a clear analysis of events with appropriate identification of causes and impacts. Offers some integration of perspectives and contextual details.

Developing
10 Points

Offers a basic analysis with limited identification of causes and consequences. Minimal integration of perspectives and lacks detailed context.

Beginning
5 Points

Struggles to provide clear analysis of events, with minimal identification of causes or consequences. Lacks perspective integration and context.

Criterion 2

Historical Contextualization

Evaluate how well students contextualize historical phenomena within the broader framework of European exploration and colonization.

Exemplary
10 Points

Effectively contextualizes historical events within global frameworks, demonstrating exceptional understanding of interconnectedness and historical significance.

Proficient
8 Points

Adequately contextualizes events within broader historical frameworks, showing good understanding of their interconnectedness.

Developing
5 Points

Provides limited contextualization of events, with basic understanding of their broader impact.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles with contextualizing events, showing minimal understanding of their broader significance.

Category 2

Collaborative Engagement

Evaluate students' ability to work effectively in teams, showing leadership, accountability, and collaborative problem-solving.
Criterion 1

Participation & Contribution

Assess the level of participation and quality of contribution each student provides in group settings.

Exemplary
10 Points

Actively leads and contributes thoughtfully to group discussions, shows leadership qualities and enhances group performance through high-quality inputs.

Proficient
8 Points

Consistently engages with group tasks and contributes relevant ideas, helping to maintain group progress.

Developing
5 Points

Participates irregularly, with contributions that are occasionally off-topic or minimally relevant.

Beginning
0 Points

Rarely participates or contributes in group settings, showing limited engagement.

Category 3

Critical Thinking & Analysis

Assess students' ability to apply critical thinking skills to analyze complex historical and social phenomena.
Criterion 1

Integration of Evidence

Evaluate the depth of evidence students use to support their analyses.

Exemplary
10 Points

Skillfully integrates a broad range of evidence to construct well-rounded, robust analyses. Evidence is precise and directly related to claims.

Proficient
8 Points

Utilizes sufficient evidence to support claims, with mostly relevant and accurate source usage.

Developing
5 Points

Incorporates limited evidence, with some relevance and accuracy issues in sources used.

Beginning
1 Points

Uses minimal evidence, often unrelated or inaccurate, failing to adequately support analyses.

Category 4

Communication & Presentation

Evaluate students' ability to effectively communicate and present their findings and analyses in written or oral formats.
Criterion 1

Clarity & Organization

Assess the clarity, coherence, and organization of students' communication, in both written and oral presentations.

Exemplary
20 Points

Displays exemplary clarity and organization in communication, with well-structured arguments and seamless transitions.

Proficient
12 Points

Demonstrates clear and organized communication, with logically structured arguments.

Developing
10 Points

Presents information with some clarity and organization issues, affecting the overall coherence.

Beginning
4 Points

Struggles with clarity and organization, resulting in unclear or incoherent communication.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on your experience throughout this project. How has your understanding of European exploration and colonization between the 15th and 18th centuries evolved?

Text
Required
Question 2

Which activity or experience during this project (e.g., Navigator's Challenge, The Marketplace Exchange, Slave Ship Simulation) impacted you the most, and why?

Text
Required
Question 3

On a scale from 1 to 5, how would you rate the effectiveness of the Navigator’s Challenge in helping you understand the significance of transoceanic travel?

Scale
Optional
Question 4

Based on what you learned, which of the following had the most significant impact on global systems by the 18th century?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Transoceanic Travel
Columbian Exchange
The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
Question 5

Reflect on the emotional and physical costs portrayed in the Slave Ship Simulation Experience. How did this shape your understanding of the resilience and resistance within the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade?

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Optional